Results 4,381-4,400 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: It is not the case.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I will reply on the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien, the Leader of the Opposition, with other Senators, raised the question of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill. I gave an undertaking last week that we would have sufficient time to debate this Bill and I can assure anybody who wishes to speak that he or she will be afforded the opportunity to do so. The reason we are concluding it at 1.45 p.m. today, although it can...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I can also confirm that the request for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Howlin, which I referred to yesterday, will take place on Tuesday afternoon next. With regard to the whole question of education, third level funding, the cap on numbers, student fees and so on, as the House knows, the programme for Government provided a commitment to undertake a full review of third level education...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: -----and requested a debate on St. Patrick's Institution. We will try to have a debate on the whole question of that institution at an early date. Senators Barrett, Walsh, Quinn and Paul Coghlan called for a debate on the future of the euro and referred to the importance of that. We have had both the Minister for Finance and the Minister of State in the House on a regular basis, and I am...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Coghlan referred to Mr. David Cooney, the appointed ambassador to the Holy See. The Senator advises festina lente - that we would tread carefully and act slowly on that. We have addressed the question of the embassies on a number of occasions at this stage. Hopefully, we will have the Tánaiste in the House to address the questions that have been raised by Senators. Senator Wilson...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to commence on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to adjourn at 1.45 p.m. with contributions from group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes; and No. 15, motion No. 6, Private Members' business, to commence at 4 p.m....

Seanad: Business of Seanad (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: In light of what the Cathaoirleach has announced, I am proposing that from next week we will start on Tuesday at 12.30 p.m. in order that proceedings can be broadcast live on the television channel.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 17, motion 6 re sentencing of Pastor Jousef Nadarkhani by the Iranian authorities, to be taken without debate; No. 1, Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010 - Second Stage, to commence on the conclusion of No. 17, motion 6 and to conclude no later than 5.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and all other Senators not to exceed...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien and others raised the issue of the capital programme. Its focus is on jobs, education and health care and it is certainly a realistic plan, bearing out the reality of the economic situation in which we find ourselves. The reality is that the country simply cannot afford to do everything the Government wants.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The plan is based on what we can afford to do. I am awaiting confirmation from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, that he can come to the House on Tuesday. He has promised that he will do so to speak on the matter and it is just a question of finding out what time he will be here. I assure the House on this, as I did last week with regard to requests to bring...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: -----that apply to Secretaries General on retirement. In addition, new pay ceilings have been introduced for the CEOs of semi-State bodies and senior public service posts. There are now fewer Oireachtas committees and reductions have been applied to the costs of special advisers and Ministers. While Oireachtas Members can claim expenses and allowances for residential arrangements in Dublin-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: -----this is not available to Ministers. The dual abode allowance can be claimed by a Minister or Minister of State who is obliged to maintain a second residence in addition to his or her main residence arising from the performance of their duties as an office holder.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: -----and if he keeps interrupting me I will continue to speak.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Bacik, van Turnhout and Conway raised the matter of the Thornton Hall project being deferred and the situation in St. Patrick's Institution, and the need to address the concerns of all in this regard. I will certainly ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and perhaps the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House to address this matter. Senator Leyden raised...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Jim D'Arcy, Ó Murchú, Brennan, Byrne, Paul Coghlan, White and Moran raised the issue of the Boyne bridge and its possible renaming to the Mary McAleese bridge. I apologise if I missed out on other Senators who also raised this matter. Senator D'Arcy should be complimented on his excellent suggestion.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: As has been stated, the former President built many bridges between communities in Northern Ireland in her term of office. The matter may have to be addressed by local authorities and the NRA but I assure the Senator I will discuss it with the Minister and the Taoiseach if necessary, to see whether we can progress this excellent suggestion. Senator Cullinane raised the matter of pension...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: This process has increased the pool of talent significantly and allows for properly skilled people to fill vacancies. The Government has also decided that chairpersons for boards will make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee where they can be questioned on their potential contribution to the board. More importantly, appointments are no longer tied up with secret...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Burke referred to the position regarding the VHI and the new hospital in Cork. It is a matter that needs to be addressed, so I will take it up with the Minister for Health. Senators Ó Murchú, Wilson and Reilly mentioned army barracks closures, which certainly have a major impact on the communities in question. In the same way, it had an impact on the communities where 11 barracks...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Those closures created a major upheaval for families in those communities. We all realise that it will create problems for all the families concerned, but we must look at expenditure. We also have to examine the various commissions' reports and studies going back to the 1990s that have identified barracks closures as a fundamental requirement towards improving military effectiveness and...