Results 4,241-4,260 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: My personal view is that the salaries of special advisers should not be more than those of Deputies.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: That is a personal opinion. I want to clarify the Government's position on special advisers. This Government has reduced the cost of special advisers by more than 25%, by comparison with the previous Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The biggest reduction in pay is in the Taoiseach's Department, with a 47% decrease in costs-----

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: -----of €576,000, compared to €1.1 million-----

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: -----for the previous Fianna Fáil-led Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: That is a 47% reduction.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: That is what happened with the last Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: If the Senator wants to listen and hear what the facts of the situation are-----

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: There is a saving of €500,000 on special advisers in the Taoiseach's Department. These are the real facts and these are real savings. Senator Bacik addressed the social welfare Bill. We will have a debate when the Bill comes before the House. A number of speakers asked for a debate on European affairs and we will try to arrange one. I reiterate, however, the House has a programme of...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik also raised the issue of climate change talks. I am sure the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, will be willing and welcome to come to the House to discuss the matter during the new year. Senator van Turnhout spoke about the painful process of adjustment. It is a painful process and the Senator will have an opportunity to make her...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The roll out of high-speed broadband for all second level schools in the coming three years will also be welcome by all Members of this House. A further 300 assistant principal posts will be provided at second level. Many good things have arisen as a result.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Quinn mentioned Central European Time which the United Kingdom appears to be about to adopt as, obviously, will this country. Members in this House listen to the Senator and I am glad the Governments of both jurisdictions are also listening to him. Senator Sheahan spoke of the structure of the HSE and details concerning a gentleman. Perhaps the Senator might raise that as a motion...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Gilroy asked for a debate on the budgetary process in the new year which we can arrange. Senator Daly is not in the Chamber. Senator Reilly asked for a debate on youth unemployment which is a matter we can consider for the next session of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. I have received requests from the Ombudsman for Children that children would be discussed at this...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: One hopes a proper decision will be made in the future.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator was not present at the time. That was covered in my reply.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I replied on that issue.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Referral to Joint Committee (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government on 1st December, 2011 nominated Mr. Simon O'Brien, Mr. Kieran Fitzgerald and Ms. Carmel Foley for appointment by the President to be members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and Mr. Simon O'Brien to be its chairperson, recommends, pursuant to section 65(1)(b) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, that Mr. Simon...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the appointment of a new Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission - referral to Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence, without debate; No. 2, Local Government (Household Charge) Bill - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 3.40 p.m., with the...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2011: Motion (1 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the terms of the draft scheme entitled Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2011, a copy of which draft scheme was laid before Seanad Éireann on 28th November, 2011.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien, among others, raised the matter of the proposed 10% increase in insurance premiums. I am not privy to budgetary decisions. We will have to wait and see what happens in that regard. On the allegations made in regard to the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, he surrendered all his interests in business affairs following his appointment. In regard to nursing...