Results 3,761-3,780 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: May I say -----

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I do not want to know why the Senator has not been here.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I will treat Senator Walsh's remarks with the contempt they deserve. He seems to involve himself in personal attacks. If they are not personal attacks against the Leader they are against civil servants but that is par for the course for Senator Walsh. Senator Keane raised the issue of obesity.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: There certainly is a need for education in this regard. I agree that we should educate young mothers about the benefits of breast-feeding. The La Leché League should be consulted in this regard. I will bring the issue to the attention of the Minister for Health. Senator Burke corrected the record regarding figures he mentioned on a previous occasion and outlined the problems that have...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (3 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: As the Minister is not available, I propose we suspend until 11.50 a.m.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (3 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 1.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed six minutes, and with the Minister to be called on to reply no later...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Ar 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Darragh O'Brien, Conway, Harte, Mullins and others spoke about the closure of Garda stations and rural policing. As Senator Darragh O'Brien mentioned, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, was in this House and dealt with such a situation on an Adjournment motion. The proposed closure of Garda stations were based on recommendations from the Garda Commissioner under...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Some savings will be made but it is about more efficient deployment of available resources and the changing of Garda rosters which will free up gardaí, giving us more efficient policing as a result. That addresses the question of Garda stations. The Minister outlined that others will be closed in the coming years. We have had approximately the same number of stations since the foundation...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senators O'Keeffe, Norris, Keane, Daly, Moran, MacSharry and others spoke about the BBC2 programme about child abuse broadcast last night. I, too, viewed it. The fact that families of other victims were not told about the danger of Father Smyth was appalling. The abuse of children continued for years after the investigations mentioned in the programme, which is very damning. This abuse...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I agree we should have a wider debate on the subject and I will try to arrange that. Senator O'Keeffe also raised the issue of the AEOS scheme and late payments. I will raise this matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I am sure we would all like to compliment and congratulate Glen Hansard on receiving 11 Tony award nominations.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Quinn and Keane spoke about organ donation and the Facebook initiative. Facebook is to be complimented on this and I hope we will have a similar initiative in this country. Senator Quinn also raised the question of bank fees on debit cards in the United States and suggested we should consider similar measures here. I will raise this matter with the relevant Minister. Senator Conway...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator MacSharry spoke about mortgage arrears. We addressed that subject and I reiterate the Taoiseach is heading a sub-committee of Cabinet to deal with the issue. I am sure there will be further proposals in that regard, in addition to those I have mentioned on several occasions on the Order of Business. Senator Daly mentioned the Bill on transparency in NAMA. I am sure he can use...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Quinn has already called for a debate on heritage and wild life. We will have one and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, is willing to come to the House and discuss these matters at a later stage. Senator Mulcahy mentioned the Social Welfare Bill. The House spent all day on Friday and Monday having a comprehensive and excellent debate on that Bill...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012, Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., and No. 2, Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012, to be taken at 4 p.m. and conclude not later than 6 p.m. The latter Bill has been tabled by Senator Averil Power and will be taken...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: When I finish.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I will try to facilitate the House regarding time. The attendance of the Ministers is an important indication of the role of the Seanad,-----

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: -----particularly with regard to influencing legislation. I ask for the co-operation of the House in that regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Maurice Cummins: That is very unfair.