Results 3,861-3,880 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Donovan, O'Toole, Boyle, Regan, Harris and Norris expressed their horror at the two brutal murders, one in a taxi and one in a barn, that took place in recent days. Who would ever have thought a few years ago that we would be seeing Ireland in the position it is in today? The challenge of crime, and everything that goes with it, is a serious one for us democratic...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I will allow time for such a debate and I ask Senators to prepare their submissions so that we can have a meaningful open-ended debate with the Minister present in the next few weeks. Senators O'Toole and Hannigan expressed strong views on the position on passports under the Good Friday Agreement and the Government's policy in this regard. I will also allow time for a debate on this matter....

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: This has been a model economy for the past ten years. Average annual growth rates have been at 7.25%. No other country has had such growth.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: We should give ourselves a pat on the back from time to time. There should be a half-hour good news slot in the Seanad and in the Dáil, and in all arms of the media, every day. We are a resilient people. Despite all the negativity we are still achieving much. Senators McCarthy and Ellis called for a debate on the constituencies. The hearts of everyone in the House go out to Senator Ellis...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: In my constituency of Meath West, I was one of the few who, with Senator Ellis, was disenfranchised in that we could not vote for ourselves, nor could our families or the people of the parish. When is the right time to do the right thing? The county of Meath has been split in three parts. What is the logic in being told the county boundary is sacrosanct? It is time to examine this matter...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator O'Donovan called for a commonsense proposal on road safety. I suggest the committee in charge of the issue should promote the use of protective armbands and other protective clothing. With all that is being done by various agencies to make roads safer, surely it is possible to find someone to sponsor 70,000 armbands or however many are needed.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Taoiseach is due to launch an initiative of the Road Safety Authority tomorrow. I welcome Senator O'Donovan's proposal. Senator Kelly called on the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to attend the House to discuss his portfolio. The Senator was most knowledgeable about the various areas to which he referred in his address to the House. I will have no difficulty in providing time for...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I move: That Seanad Éireann, in accordance with section 8(3)(b) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 and 2006, appoints the ordinary Members of the Commission as follows: Senators Paul Bradford, Cecilia Keaveney and Jim Walsh.

Seanad: Parliamentary Committees: Motion (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I move: "(1) That a Select Committee consisting of 4 members of Seanad Éireann shall be appointed to be joined with a Select Committee of Dáil Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to consider— (i) such public affairs administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as it may select, including, in respect of Government policy, bodies...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is Nos. 1, 2, 5, 15, 3 and 4. No. 1, motion on appointment of Members to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, and No. 2, motion on the establishment of the joint committees of the 23rd Seanad, will be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business. No. 5, statements on the Government's current suicide prevention strategy, will be taken on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Senator should speak to the leader of his group.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, Cummins and Coghlan commented on the motion, which is in the Dáil this morning. It is made under a particular provision of the treaty and if Ireland wishes to partake at the outset of negotiations, it must notify the President of the Council within three months of the proposal being published by the Commission. As we know, the proposal was published on 25 July and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I am giving that commitment to the House. Senators Hannigan and Boyle expressed serious concerns about pensions and yesterday I committed to a debate on the matter. In both Houses of Parliament we have given the great example as there is no retirement age for a Member of either House. The new committee to be charged with this responsibility can point to this leading by example. There was a...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The phrase "common sense" must prevail and I ask Senator Ellis, if he wishes, to pursue this on the next possible Adjournment. It is an urgent matter as a service has been given satisfactorily in a particular area. Removing the service defies commonsense as there is no service in the area to which they are moving it. Senator Doherty also called for a debate on the Atlantic corridor and...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the role of the Government and the IDA in promoting Ireland as an attractive location for inward investment, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 2.30 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 2, motion re proposal for a Council regulation on the extension of EU social security regulations, to be...

Seanad: Serious Crime: Motion (17 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Many Senators correctly offered their congratulations to the cardinal designate, Archbishop Seán Brady. It is a joyous day for the people of Ireland. He is a brilliant man and a shining example in what he has done and achieved. He has now been acknowledged by His Holiness the Holy Father to receive this great honour. I want to be associated with our vote of congratulations to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I call on everybody on a non-political basis——

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Leader is not interrupted normally, although I acknowledge we are going through a teething period with new Members. Life is above parliamentary membership and I abhor that this has happened. I speak for all Members, irrespective of their political beliefs. We are all here to do our best to enhance the operation of the State, to improve the quality of life of our people and to provide...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senators O'Toole, Quinn, Healy Eames, Bradford and O'Reilly called for a debate on food. Senators are expert in many areas but when Senator Quinn addresses the House on food issues, I listen attentively. He has led by shining example in his career with his family and I was pleased to hear about how Ireland was represented at the World Food Fair in Germany. I will provide time for a debate...