Results 4,621-4,640 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Innovation at the Heart of the Jobs Challenge: Statements (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: We have the Leader programme, partnership boards, enterprise boards and development boards. What is the Minister's view on the development of a one-stop shop under local authorities for those bodies, or their amalgamation?

Seanad: Innovation at the Heart of the Jobs Challenge: Statements (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Innovation at the Heart of the Jobs Challenge: Statements (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for coming to Waterford last Monday. My city has by far the highest employment rate in the country, almost 20% at this point in time. The south east has an unemployment rate of 17.9%, again the highest in the State. Since November 2007 I estimate 3,100 headline job losses have occurred in companies in Waterford in companies such as...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: As the Minister, Deputy Bruton, is answering questions in the other House at present, I propose that we adjourn briefly. If we resume at 4.30 p.m., we can conclude at 6.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator O'Brien raised the issue of pension schemes being underfunded. Quite a number of pension schemes in the country are underfunded. I cannot understand how 0.6% levy would result in a 10% reduction in pension payments. That is something that would have to be investigated. The levy introduced on pension funds was 0.6%. I do not know how that can translate into a 10% reduction. It...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mullen referred to the decision to extend the terms of the loans and to reduce the interest rates. We all welcome the proposals that are emanating from the European Commission. The Senator also spoke about the situation in relation to parliamentary questions. I remind him that this House continues to deal with four Adjournment matters each day. I am sure questions can be asked each...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I ask Senator Mac Conghail to consider him for a part in the Abbey Theatre in light of his performance here today.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Moran and other Members congratulated those students who received their junior certificate results today. I will arrange a debate on the problem of teenage drinking, which was raised by a number of Senators. This House should address this serious issue. Senators Norris and Conway referred to the charges of slavery that have been brought in the UK. Senator Conway also mentioned a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: -----perhaps in the budget or beforehand. This matter certainly needs to be addressed. The whole idea of having one diesel for farmers, and allowing them to recoup the costs, should be examined. That may have been done already. Some kind of operation needs to be put in place to stop these people from gaining money at the expense of the public and the Exchequer, which is what is happening....

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: There is no doubt it is the tourism capital of the country. Senator Sheahan raised the issue of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and problems in that regard. I suggest that the Joint Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht would be a more appropriate forum than the House at which the chief executive of the EPA could attend. There is also a request that I...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that, given that we have lost ten to 15 minutes already, we would conclude No. 1 at 6.15 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Sep 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome everybody back. The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on innovation at the heart of the jobs challenge, to be taken at 4 p.m. and to conclude at 6 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, following which questions from other Senators to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will be taken in turn. I hope as many Senators as possible...

Seanad: Family Home Bill 2011: Second Stage (27 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The House will adjourn sine die but will meet again in the middle of September at the same time as the Dáil. Before we adjourn, I wish Senator James Heffernan who is getting married in a week or two the very best of luck. I also thank Deirdre, Jody, the ushers and all other staff members for their work. I hope everybody will return suitably refreshed. I suppose those on the opposite side...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne is a deeply upsetting document that describes the handling of allegations, complaints, suspicions and concerns about child abuse in that diocese. Yet again, following on from the Ryan report and the first Murphy report into the Dublin Archdiocese, we have heard more harrowing stories and learned more about the terrible cost...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The word "deplore", in my view, is not strong enough. I hope we will have the same unity and unanimity in this House. The victims deserve no less.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: No, I will not accede to the request. We will have ample time to discuss other reports when we return. We have allowed sufficient time for contributions and the Ministers have given of their time to attend.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: We are sticking to the Order of Business.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann: — notes the publication of the report by the Commission of Investigation into the handling by Church and State authorities of allegations and suspicions of child sexual abuse against clerics of the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne; — expresses its sympathy with the victims whose suffering is set out in the report; — expresses its thanks to the Commission of...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil don Seanadóir Byrne agus do Sheanadóirí eile ar son na hoibre a rinne siad sa Seanad agus sna rialacha nua atá againn anois. I thank Senator O'Brien and other Senators for their comments on the improved ways we are going about doing our business and I hope the results of that will continue in the new session when we will experience new changes to...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Action speaks louder than words and we will go ahead and progress the reforms we initiated this term. We should expand on the new format we adopted when the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food attended the House. In that regard, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs will probably come to the House on the first day of the new session for a wide-ranging debate on the...