Results 6,641-6,660 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 3, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following subsection: "(5) Where a person guilty of an offence under this section— (a) is not more than 24 months older than the child under the age of 17 years with whom he or she engaged or attempted to engage in a sexual act, and (b) was not— (i) in respect of the child under the age of 17 years with whom he or she...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister. He set a very discordant note in the Lower House this morning, having spent the first 15 minutes or so perfecting himself and justifying his inaction rather than dealing with the Bill. I am glad that a more conciliatory tone has been adopted in this House and I hope the debate will be constructive. Fine Gael supports the Bill but has some reservations about it. My...

Seanad: Supreme Court Judgment on Statutory Rape: Statements. (31 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: However, that rang no alarm bells.

Seanad: Supreme Court Judgment on Statutory Rape: Statements. (31 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: However, he did not inform the Minister.

Seanad: Supreme Court Judgment on Statutory Rape: Statements. (31 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I would like to share my speaking time with Senator Maurice Hayes. I am glad that the Minister has at last come to the Houses of the Oireachtas to explain the extent of the problems facing us following the Supreme Court decision. It is over a week since the decision was made and we and the public need answers. The explanations given here raise more questions than answers. Can the Minister...

Seanad: Supreme Court Judgment on Statutory Rape: Statements. (31 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: On Monday the High Court was told that the DPP has not sought to proceed with statutory rape indictments and trials had been staged by consent since last summer pending last week's judgment. Who is right and who is wrong?

Seanad: Supreme Court Judgment on Statutory Rape: Statements. (31 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister is always right. We are not all knee-high to him. What does this say about the Minister's integrity on this vital matter? The Minister also said on the RTE "Six One News" that the DPP had carriage of defence on this case in the Supreme Court. This morning in the other House the Tánaiste revealed that the carriage of this case was jointly by the Attorney General and the Director...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Tánaiste. Many consultants and developers have come together in many parts of the country to build private hospitals mainly because of the tax breaks which emanated from the 2002 and 2003 Finance Acts. My colleague, Senator Browne, alluded to the fact that for every €100 million invested, the taxpayer will contribute €42 million. This is a massive gift from the taxpayer....

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator will know a lot about it in the future.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: There would not be much good news.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I agree with the amendment tabled by Senator Brian Hayes and I support the comments of many colleagues, especially those of Senator Tuffy. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform got it badly wrong last week on this issue. Children are at risk as we speak and we need the loophole in the law to be addressed immediately. Last year emergency legislation was introduced to deal with...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (24 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: In speaking about this issue on Committee Stage yesterday, I said that, whatever about Oireachtas Members and MEPs, the exclusion of local councillors from such bodies is disgraceful. It is an affront to democracy to debar local councillors from this authority and other State boards. Councillors have a vast amount of experience in road safety and other areas. They are responsible for setting...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (23 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I support what is a good amendment. It was Oscar Wilde who said there are lies, damned lies and statistics. However, we should have a measurement of international standards and best practice. The amendment is not in any way contentious and would improve the Bill. We must have some form of measurement. I commend Senator Henry for putting forward this important amendment, which I support. I...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (23 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I agree with the proposed amendment and agree the section is demeaning to representatives elected by the people. The section is an affront to democracy. Whatever about excluding Oireachtas Members, with which I do not agree, it makes no sense to exclude the people on the ground, local representatives who have so many responsibilities in the area of road safety, be it speed limits or whatever....

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (23 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I support the amendments, and I will specifically refer to the driving test. If a person has passed or failed, and made errors, the tester should be in a position at that stage to inform the person being tested of the errors made, why the person has failed and what should be done in the future. This should all be part of the process. It is an issue which many people who have sat the test have...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (23 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: That is unacceptable.

Seanad: Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (23 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: It is not a fact. There is no point making snide remarks. The Minister of State is jumping on the bandwagon.

Seanad: Lone Parents: Statements. (23 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House. I also welcome the discussion paper and the opportunity to address a number of the proposals it contains. The report is comprehensive on the welfare of lone parents and presents a review of the issues they face. As the Minister stated, research has identified the children of lone parents as one of the groups at major risk of child poverty. It is essential...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Maurice Cummins: I second the amendment.