Results 7,161-7,180 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Speaking as a party whip I can assure the Minister that does not happen on our side of the House.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 50: In page 24, subsection (2), between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following paragraph: "(b) monitor the performance and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána in carrying out its functions in the administrative area,". This amendment proposes to make clear that one of the functions of the policing committee should be to monitor the effectiveness of the Garda...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following new section: "Irish children born to non-national parents. 2.—Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall publish the guidelines which are applied by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in determining whether to grant leave to remain to the non-national parents of an...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: We are not pressing it but we hope the Minister will honour the commitments he gave in this House on Committee Stage. We have no reason to believe he will not honour them. The reason we tabled the amendment again was to secure further assurances. However, the reply given by the Minister of State is as clear as mud. Nonetheless, we will take him at his word.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I also thank the Minister of State for attending the House and especially thank the Minister, Deputy Michael McDowell. We had a healthy and robust debate on the Bill and, as Senator Walsh stated, we are implementing the will of the people. We have done everything possible to expedite this legislation through the House. We needed proper balance and I hope we secured that in the Bill as passed....

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: We will spend much more than five minutes on this because it is a matter which needs much expansion.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: We should leave it until tomorrow.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Yes.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: No, it would not.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The Government amendment seems to address my party's concerns as set out in amendments Nos. 38, 39 and 53. The purpose of Fine Gael's amendments is to delete the definition of "local authority" in the Bill to ensure the term has the meaning it has in the Local Government Act 2001. Amending the Bill will ensure that town councillors can contribute to policing committees whereas the Bill, as...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 41: In page 23, before section 31, to insert the following new section: 31.—Prior to the implementation of any significant work practice changes or reorganisation, the Commissioner and the Minister shall consult with Garda representative associations. This amendment deals with the requirements of the Minister and the Garda Commissioner to consult with gardaí on work...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: There will be a number of changes to work practices as a result of the establishment of the joint policing committees. However, if the Minister of State gives an assurance that the consultation process and conciliation machinery will continue and will not be changed, I am prepared to withdraw my amendment. I take on board Senator Maurice Hayes's comments that it may be too rigid to make the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: It may not be radical but there will be changes in work practices as a result of the legislation.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I am not comfortable with the ambiguous nature of this section. I seek a firm commitment that the policing committees will be set up and that is why I propose the substitution of the word "may" with "shall". I also seek a time limit of three months within which the Minister must issue guidelines under the section. Amendment No. 44 proposes the deletion of paragraphs (a) and (b) and the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: That is the point I was going to make. The word "shall" should be used. We put down a three-month period in this amendment, but accept it could take more than three months for guidelines to be drawn up. The Minister of State agreed there should be a specific time limit. If we say the committees "shall" be set up, a time limit should be put on the issuing and implementation of the guidelines....

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I reluctantly accept what the Minister of State has said. We would not be happy if, as he said, the Minister would not commence the section. We want some certainty in this area about which there is unanimity of opinion. I will not push it to a vote. The Minister of State knows what we want in this area. I hope he will come back——

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I have no intention of putting Senator Leyden in an embarrassing position by calling a vote. I accept that three months may not be long enough but surely these guidelines are already under discussion. The Department must have already have the guidelines in mind. The Minister of State knows that we want certainty on this matter.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 45: In page 23, subsection (2), lines 22 to 29, to delete paragraphs (a) and (b), and substitute the following paragraphs: "(a) the establishment of the committee on a county or city council area basis, comprised of members from the relevant local authorities, members of the Oireachtas, and senior ranking members of the Garda Síochána, (b) the designation of the number...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: This amendment seeks that the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Justice, Equality and Law Reform would together deliver housing strategies to help young members of the Garda Síochána to live in local authority estates. There is demand throughout the country for substations. However, it would help if more gardaí lived in areas where there is anti-social...