Results 681-700 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: Once again I welcome the Minister to the House. As his speech indicated, he would prefer not to be here seeking the continuation of this particular Order but circumstances dictate otherwise. I agree with the assessment of the previous speaker, Senator Byrne, that the production of facts and figures by the Minister, particularly the necessity, on many occasions over the past 12 months, to...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: Next week.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister to the House and I wish him well in the promotion of this important legislation. I thank the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for her expression of support on behalf of her party. Since the foundation of the State, 99.99% Garda Síochána activity has always put the preservation and safety of the State and its citizens first. With equal certainty, 100% of subversives and...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (19 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I very much appreciate that Senator Norris is genuine in his comments on human rights in the Middle East. However, we sometimes fail to see, particular in respect of Israel, that there is another side to the story. While the Senator's worries need to be taken seriously, I am not convinced the Israeli deputy ambassador is any way responsible for any of the types of activities described. To...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I would certainly not like to be a gay person in Iran, Iraq or Syria. I had intended to speak on the situation in the Middle East and request a debate on the frightening circumstances that have arisen in Syria, which brings me back to the issue of balance. Where are all those who were so busy on their little flotilla and so worried about Palestinians and Israel? They have gone very silent...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: The immediate crisis in the Middle East is in Syria. The Oireachtas and the Government need to be seen and heard on this issue. I ask the Leader to try to arrange a debate on Syria this week. I hope the House will unite in condemning the appalling tragedy being foisted on that country's people by its own so-called Government.

Seanad: Referendum on the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (14 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to have the opportunity to reflect on the outcome of the vote that took place a fortnight ago. This is a useful debate and we need to revisit the issue in a more substantial fashion. There was a major parliamentary and civic society debate following the first Nice treaty referendum. Now that people have voted "Yes", perhaps we do not see the need for such a debate, but it is...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (13 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (13 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: Once again I welcome the Minister who has become a very regular visitor to the House. I also welcome the Bill which is very fair and balanced. I am reminded of the line in the Merchant of Venice: "The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven". We need to reflect on the concept of mercy when we debate the justice legislation which flows regularly...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: There is a straightforward answer to my question. Why are there different Schedules? Why is the list of offences different?

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I support Senators' comments and look forward to the Minister's response to the amendment. The amendment provides us with useful debating space. The purpose of any legislation or proposed change is to improve the situation, in this case, children's lot in life. In our efforts to bring about improvement, we must not cause further difficulties or doubts. For this reason, our debate on...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: Senator David Cullinane has raised very important and pertinent points and I look forward to the Minister's response. It was somewhat unfortunate when the Bill was initially published, that the greatest part of the public debate and commentary associated with it was focused on the question of the seal of confession, as it became known. The Minister's contribution on Second Stage was very...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: We were having some general dialogue on section 4. I made the point that while the exemptions and opt outs in section 4 are necessary and understandable, it reduces what we all thought would be the impact of the Bill at the time of publication. We thought that this Bill would chart a new way forward and would state in black and white legislation that the withholding of information was wrong...

Seanad: Decade of Commemorations: Statements (Resumed) (7 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to have the opportunity to say a few words on this very important topic. I welcome the Minister to the House. He is well placed because of his strong sense and view of Irish history to ensure that the commemoration period is dealt with in an appropriately sensitive fashion. In 2005 or 2006, on the floor of the House, I suggested that we begin planning for the centenary of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I thank Senator Mullen for teeing up my views on this matter. I agree with his request for a debate on the constitutional convention. While I am sure my views as to where it should go and what issues should be prioritised would differ from those of Senator Norris, it is urgent that we have a debate not only on the make up of the convention, but also on its purpose. I will repeat what I...

Seanad: Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (6 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and have listened with interest to the contributions of my colleagues and in particular to those of the previous speaker, Senator Cullinane. As the Minister of State is aware, this is an interesting and expansive topic that certainly requires more then a limited five-minute slot in which to make a decent contribution. While this is a matter for...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (23 May 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister. I do not wish to engage in a lengthy debate about the tribunals but it is fair to concede that many people, both in the House and outside, have expressed concerns about the duration and cost of some of them over the past decade. The Smithwick tribunal, dealing as it does with the peace process and North-South and east-west relations, must be considered differently....