Results 6,061-6,080 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 May 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I make those remarks not to score any political points but because it is an area of which the Taoiseach should be justifiably proud. In that context I ask the Leader for a debate on Northern Ireland within the next few weeks or so. This is an opportune time to have such a debate.

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages. (7 May 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for bringing this legislation forward. It is of paramount importance that the referendum is passed on 12 June. Most of us will be out on the hustings over the next four to five weeks to convince the people that a "Yes" vote is the right thing for this country and for Europe.

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 May 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Doherty mentioned "market Europe" and "social Europe". We should be happy about the former because, as an open economy, we can sell our produce across the free markets of an expanding European Union. Ireland has benefited socially from the policies of the "social Europe" of which it is a member state, a fact that many fail to remember. Without our membership, we would have had...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 May 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Tairgim leasú a 4: I gCuid 1, leathanach 7, línte 32 go 49 a scriosadh, agus leathanach 9, línte 1 go 7 a scriosadh agus an méid seo a leanas a chur ina n-ionad: "14° Ní choisceann aon fhoráil atá sa Bhunreacht ar an Oireachtas reachtaíocht a achtú chun cinntí a rialáil nó a dhéanamh, nó chun éifeacht a thabhairt do chinntí den sórt sin, faoi na Conarthaí ach amháin i...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Yesterday, other representatives and I attended a briefing given by the Union of Students in Ireland, USI, which is concerned about the underfunding of third level education. Registration fees in some colleges amount to almost €1,000. The percentage of money allocated from them to student support services is decreasing whereas the percentage used to pay budget deficits is increasing. The...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: The European Union is the most advanced form of voluntary integration between sovereign states in history. The Lisbon reform treaty embodies a unanimous agreement that emerged from more than five years of intense public and private discussion between democratically elected representatives of 27 member states representing 500 million people. Most of the content of the treaty was the subject...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I support calls for a debate on the HSE and the health service. Today, we have already heard about deaths from hospital acquired infections, homeless people dying in the streets and difficulties with psychiatric services, pharmacists, etc. Yesterday, I rang a community welfare officer in Waterford on behalf of a person who was seeking assistance by means of the housing aid for the elderly...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Like Pontius Pilate.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (24 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Brennan, to the House. I acknowledge the help he has given me in the many Ministries he has held since I became a Member of this House. In particular, I thank him for the assistance he provided when he was in the Department of Social and Family Affairs. As the Minister said, we face many challenges in 2008. Tourism is one of the sectors of the economy that...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Several Members wished to speak on Second Stage but were delayed. For instance, my entrance to the Chamber was hindered by the presence of two groups on the stairs and in the hall. Will I and other Members be allowed to speak today or must we make speeches on Committee Stage in respect of every amendment that is proposed?

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I acknowledge the presence of the Minister of State and thank him for coming. He has been here on all occasions we have addressed the important subject of the Lisbon treaty. Last year also, we had a debate on the issue. Last week, the Leader of the House made a statement that some parties were speaking through both sides of their mouths on the Lisbon treaty and were hoping the referendum...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I support the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Donohoe. The Dublin Transport Authority Bill is significant and bulky and it will have far-reaching consequences for the future. It is intended to take Second Stage later today and Committee Stage next week and to rush the legislation through. Rushed legislation is bad legislation. Will the Leader reconsider his position...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: That is not what he said——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator should withdraw the remark.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator had the exact same opportunity as every other Member to attend when the bell rang.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I have the transcript in front of me.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: We have checked what the Senator said.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (17 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: When the Bill was first introduced in the Seanad in 2005, little did I think it would not be passed until 2008. I accept the Minister's point that a number of Schedules, etc., had to be included. Fine Gael has pointed out on numerous occasions that co-operation in respect of policing and criminal law matters is imperative at EU level, particularly if organised crime, drug trafficking and...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: We have had many meetings throughout the country. The Leader should read the newspapers.