Results 5,541-5,560 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator has and he will hear a lot more of it.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: Garret was on.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: He must be held accountable.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: It will be country and western music then.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: The Lisbon treaty gives the upper houses of parliaments in every member state a role in dealing with legislation on matters relating to Europe, particularly concerning subsidiarity. Perhaps we could debate this issue as I have just learned that the President of the Czech Republic has signed the Lisbon treaty. It can come into effect from 1 January.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: It is momentous that all member states have indicated that they favour the Lisbon treaty. A debate on the issues relating to this House and its added responsibilities would be apt.

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister. Before discussing matters pertaining to Northern Ireland, it is appropriate to mention that President Vaclav Klaus has signed the Lisbon treaty into being in the Czech Republic. I am sure all Members will welcome the coming into being at last of the Lisbon treaty in the near future. I thank the Minister for his comments on Northern Ireland. This debate was listed on...

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: Is that all? I have only started. I have concerns regarding the quangoisation of North-South relations. I fear that bodies have been created without concern for either value for money or proper public scrutiny. Such bodies were created in more financially extravagant times and both value for money and a focus on proper public scrutiny are required in the Oireachtas and the Northern...

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: ----- may be funding dissident terrorist groups. This message must go out to people. Fine Gael believes in the importance of achieving devolved policing in Northern Ireland. It understands the sensitivities but appeals to all sides to avoid sectional interests in this regard. Certainly, Fine Gael in government will look forward to working with a Northern Ireland Executive that includes a...

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: I conclude by welcoming the statement from the INLA that it has ended what it calls the armed struggle. However, I note it has not decommissioned its weapons and made no mention of that. As for remaining non-decommissioned weapons, the threat and risk remains because for as long as there are guns in the system, a risk exists. This option must be closed off definitively and absolutely and...

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mary White attacked the Chair who has no hand, act or part in this matter. She should withdraw her comment.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Maurice Cummins: The community support scheme is for community and voluntary groups to help elderly people with the provision of alarm systems, locks and other security devices to make their homes safer. The scheme was closed after last year's budget and we were told it was under review. The scheme was opened again on 1 October and I made inquiries on behalf of people last week only to be told it was closed...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Maurice Cummins: I ask that an investigation be carried out and that the Minister come into this House to explain why the scheme has been closed after only three weeks. PDFORRA is the representative association for the Army. These people, along with the Garda Síochána, provide security for the State. They put their lives at risk on security and peacekeeping duties abroad. The association gave a voluntary...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Maurice Cummins: I wish to speak on crime, something about which Sinn Féin has been well aware over the years.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Maurice Cummins: For a number of weeks I have been asking for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to attend this House to discuss a number of items, including prison overcrowding, the amount of drugs in prisons and attacks on the elderly. We saw the statistics yesterday, which show that burglaries are up significantly. For the first time, the Garda Commissioner has said that something drastic...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Oct 2009)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent. Like Senator Boyle, I compliment him on bringing the Bill to the House. There are some aspects of it which are very important and with which we agree, while there are other aspects with which we do not agree. However, it is a genuine attempt and, as Senator Boyle said, we can make the necessary amendments on Committee and Report Stages....

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2009)

Maurice Cummins: I thank the Ministers of State, Deputy Roche and Deputy Mansergh, for coming to the House. Members heard a comprehensive speech from the Minister of State, Deputy Roche. This Bill brings into effect what the people decided by voting in the referendum. I also thank the departmental officials for their work on the Bill.

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2009)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for what was probably the lengthiest and most comprehensive contribution on a Bill heard in this House for some time. I had intended to go into some technical areas of the Bill but if I were to do so at this stage I would probably get a red card from the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I compliment the Minister of State on the role he played...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (22 Oct 2009)

Maurice Cummins: If the debate is being extended, time should be given to the Labour Party to contribute. It would be ridiculous if the party did not participate and Senator Alex White is present.