Results 721-740 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: As has rightly been stated, history is no longer a core subject but it is a very important part of the junior certificate curriculum. Senator Craughwell raised the issues of English language schools and housing. I note the points made by him. Senator Michael Mullins also raised the issue of English language schools. He also called for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to address...

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: No. I think both Dr. Manning and Mr. O'Toole will reply to the debate. Both will speak initially and both will reply to it.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I would like to welcome Dr. Maurice Manning, the chairman of the working group, and Mr. Joe O'Toole. I thank all the members of the working group for their time, dedication and professionalism in compiling this latest report on Seanad reform.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: It is my fervent wish that this will be the last report on Seanad reform-----

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: -----and that many of the proposals contained therein will be acted upon.When people talk about Seanad reform, some refer to the business of the House, how it is run, its content and relevance. Others view reform of the Seanad as a matter of changing the electoral process and the manner in which Senators are elected, giving all members of the public eligible to vote in Dáil elections a...

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: What about the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht?

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that we conclude at 6.15 p.m. and that Dr. Manning and Mr. O'Toole would reply at 6 p.m. That would allow the remaining five or six Members offering to contribute.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: At 2.30 p.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Tuesday, 5 May, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014 - amendments from Dáil Éireann, to be taken at 12.45 p.m.; and No. 3, Roads Bill 2014 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 2.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mark Daly raised the question of the banking query and Mr. Trichet. The Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis is carrying out its duties in an exemplary manner and I am sure they will get the answers they require from Mr. Trichet. I compliment the committee on its work so far and I am sure it will produce an excellent report. Variable rates have been raised by a number...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Walsh spoke about the appalling persecution of Christians in the Middle East and North Africa. He is right to highlight this issue because it is damning to see such persecution going on but not receiving the publicity it should. It is not only happening in the Middle East and North Africa but in other countries too. I am delighted to hear the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign...

Seanad: Sitting Arrangements: Motion (30 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business - (1) Seanad Éireann agrees with the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges that, as Chair and a member respectively of the Working Group on Seanad Reform, Mr. Maurice Manning and Mr. Joe O'Toole may be invited to address the Seanad at its meeting on Tuesday, 5 May, 2015, and...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on ash dieback disease, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude not later than 2.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contributions from group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be called on to reply ten minutes from the end of the debate; No. 2, Sport...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the home help gratuity payments and the review. I will ask the Minister about it. I have invited the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coffey, to come to the House to discuss the pyrite issue. I hope we can schedule a debate in the coming weeks. Given that we had ample time for people to table...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Although I normally would do so, there seems to be very little appetite for amendments to the Bill and that is why I ordered Committee and Remaining Stages for today. It is the Senator's prerogative to object to the Order of Business and to vote against the section in the Bill he mentioned. Senators Bacik, Walsh and Norris referred to euthanasia and the possibility of having a debate on it...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Government hopes to address this in the coming budgets. People returning from the UK should have no problems regarding social protection and the transfer of benefits. The Department of Social Protection is very helpful to people who wish to return home from the UK and transfer their benefits. There should not be a problem, and if there is, it should be taken up with the Department. ...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The greatest risk to job creation and a brighter future is the risk from political parties, such as Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, which are proposing populist and fanciful economics.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: However, we will address that matter. Senator Bradford mentioned he was not here yesterday but-----

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: ----next week, we will debate the spring statement. Senators Mullins, Bradford and Walsh addressed the execution of seven people in Indonesia and the question of the death penalty and capital punishment. Our country very strongly condemns capital punishment and the death penalty. People rightly pointed out that the major powers, China and the US, practise this very frequently. We should...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (29 Apr 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we will conclude at 4:15 p.m. and not 4 p.m. to allow us finish the Bill.