Results 4,061-4,080 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik raised the potential for greater trade opportunities with China. I will certainly endeavour to have the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Joe Costello, come to the House to address that situation. I am sure he would be quite willing to do so for the first time as Minister of State. Senators van Turnhout and Rónán Mullen referred to the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: There will be no reduction or no amnesty in that regard. Senators Mary Moran and Jim D'Arcy welcomed the roll out of high-speed broadband to all schools by 2014 and referred to the need for digital boards. I agree totally with Senator D'Arcy that there is a need for oversight and inspection of the scheme when it is up and running. That is of paramount importance. Senator Zappone referred...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister also outlined that unless there is evidence of endangerment to human health or the environment, the septic tank system in place will pass inspection. There is no question of applying the Environmental Protection Agency's 2009 code of practice to older systems. That is clear to everybody.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: If some people choose not to listen to the Minister or agree with him, that is their-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I am sure Members will continue to misinterpret what the Minister said even before he came into the House

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: They are continuing to misinterpret him.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: We still have all this bluff and bluster from Members on the other side who continue to scaremonger people.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I note Senator Byrne's point about the brick factory. Senator Brennan referred to the fact that the central reservation on the M1 is broken in at least seven places. That is a serious matter which we will raise with the National Roads Authority. That is the relevant body and it should be notified of such dangers to motorists. Senator Quinn raised the organ donation Bill and I will check...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The matter was raised at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and we will raise it there again. There should be no need to send out the Order Paper in envelopes. I cannot see why it cannot be dropped into Members' pigeon-holes for collection. Senator Mooney referred to sports sponsorship by the alcohol industry, as well as the work of the alcohol advisory body. I will endeavour to...

Seanad: Directive on Insider Dealing: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, that it wishes to take part in the adoption and application of the...

Seanad: Teaching Council Act: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Teaching Council Act 2001 (Amendment of Nominating Bodies) Order 2012, copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on 9th January, 2012.

Seanad: Teaching Council Act: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I propose that the House be suspended for five minutes. The Minister of State is not yet available, but she is on her way.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is Nos. 1 to 5 on the Order Paper. No 1, motion regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on criminal sanctions for insider dealing and market manipulation, to be taken without debate. No. 2, motion regarding the Teaching Council Act 2001 (Amendment of Nominating Bodies) Order 2012, to be taken without debate. No. 3,...

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Next Tuesday, at 2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I thank the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan for coming to this House to present this Bill. I thank him for his commitment to the objectives in this Bill and to this House. This is a Seanad Bill and it gives this House a real opportunity to influence the legislation that will be enacted. I know that fine suggestions will be forthcoming from Seanad...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator will be the first to speak next week.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: On a point of order, if people listened to the Order of Business as agreed by the House this morning, they would realise that this debate will continue next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his explanation, as I did not have an answer for Senator Terry Leyden. Senator Thomas Byrne, acting Leader of the Opposition, referred to job creation, the Government's No. 1 priority. Further announcements on a strategy will be made during the coming weeks. The Seanad has had an input, as I have forwarded the bullet points of our debate on job creation to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: No, as we cannot get Ministers to drop everything at the drop of a hat and debate an issue in the Seanad, but I will endeavour to arrange for the Minister to attend the House as soon as possible. Unfortunately, an amendment will be pressed in respect of non-Government motion No. 6. Senator Paul Coghlan has explained the position and the Taoiseach has discussed the matter with the Cardinal...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Protocol must be observed at all times. I hope the previous Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the current leader of Fianna Fáil informed his colleagues about the protocol to be followed. If the bishops state the Pope has indicated his desire to visit, the Government will respond positively.