Results 6,381-6,400 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: Where there is a financial loss, nobody would disagree that a corporate body is entitled to claim. I take on board what Senators Norris and Maurice Hayes said. This section seems to go a bit overboard. I look forward to discovering whether the Minister agrees that its provisions may go too far.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: I also have concerns about this section. I compliment Senator Norris on his research, especially on the case two years ago. It appears to be a complete U-turn on what happened under the same Minister and Government. We were brought up to believe a jury's decision was sacrosanct but in this section we are saying the Supreme Court can overrule the decision of any jury on damages. It is a...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: We could do away with juries altogether.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: I suppose that would include Ministers and Ministers of State who blame their secretaries for sending out letters without their knowledge.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: We accept the Minister's apology.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: The Progressive Democrats stole them over the years.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: It is catch-up time.

Seanad: Hospital Infections: Motion (14 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: I second the motion and support the many valid points made by my colleague, Senator Browne. There is no doubt MRSA is reaching proportions of a modern epidemic and is a widespread problem in hospitals throughout the country. It is a pitiful and pathetically sad day when many patients are forced to worry about what infection they will contract during their stay in hospital in addition to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: Recently, we discussed the Defamation Bill and the establishment of a press council and press ombudsman. I listened to a sports programme last night on which a number of contributors referred to an article in a Sunday newspaper which suggested that the Irish soccer manager should buy petrol, pour it over himself and set himself alight. If we are to be subject to this type of journalism, we...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: We all know how badly the Irish team played, but please God it will do a lot better when it gets to Croke Park in March. Articles such as the one printed on Sunday are unacceptable. I am delighted to see, based on her Adjournment matter, that Senator White has shown an interest in Waterford Institute of Technology, and I was happy to see her canvassing in Waterford yesterday. We hope to see...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: In 1984, following the collapse of PMPA, the Government introduced a 2% levy on all insurance policies. I understand PMPA's debts were paid off in 1993, yet since then, we have continued to pay a 2% levy on all our insurance policies. Where does this money go? Has it been ring-fenced for some purpose? When will this 2% levy, which is another stealth tax, be abolished? I understand that...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2006: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: I wish to make a brief contribution. I welcome the Bill. My party spokesperson, Senator Brian Hayes, spoke previously and we commend the Bill. Will the Minister clarify one point from his speech regarding section 42? It states the jurisdiction of the general court martial will be amended to include cases of rape or aggravated sexual assault where the person who committed the offence is or...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The Bill before us is very weak from the point of view of consumers. It is too little and too late. My party has highlighted the concerns of consumers with its website, www.ripoff.ie, which was established several years ago. Fine Gael recently launched a new consumer charter to highlight the shocking increases in the costs of household utility...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: Half the time, or seven minutes, remains.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: I am glad the Minister said the Government cannot get it working.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the main objective of the Bill, which is to establish a more flexible and market responsive model for licensing DTT in Ireland and to allow for progress to be made towards analogue switch-off. The development of a DTT platform will allow broadcasters to offer more in terms of content and services to Irish viewers. The Bill will also amend the remit of RTE to allow it to utilise...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Maurice Cummins: Last year the Minister for Health and Children banned the sale of so-called magic mushrooms, rightly so. I understand a number of other synthetic and herbal drugs are now on sale that are equally if not more dangerous. I ask that a review be carried out of the list of banned substances as a matter of urgency because the last thing we want is to have people die as a result of taking these...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2006)

Maurice Cummins: There have been over 25 people shot dead this year and over 60 murdered. Drugs are more freely available than ever before. Gangland crime is out of control. This is the legacy of this Government. When one considers the abuse and personal attacks that Nora Owen suffered as Minister for Justice I shudder to think what would happen if she presided over the present lawless situation. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2006)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mansergh should tell the truth.