Results 7,661-7,680 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: Yes. I do not favour the abolition of the dual mandate, especially in so far as Senators are concerned. Councillors elect Senators, with the exception of those appointed by the Taoiseach and the university Senators, and are represented by them in the House. The dual mandate should be maintained, especially for Senators. I realise it is not the view of many in my own party, including those who...

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: It might be classified as a dual mandate.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister and wish him well in his work on Northern Ireland, in particular. I am glad our good wishes were conveyed to him. In the House last week, members of the Minister's party expressed concern and demanded better management systems and more financial accountability in the health service. I presume the same applies to the area of justice, particularly as the Minister for...

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: It was very evident this evening. For the first time in eight months, the Minister has come before the House and stated that he will not continue with the system whereby party hacks were appointed to visiting committees and—

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: —people from Cahirciveen were appointed to the Castlerea visiting committee. I was delighted to hear the Minister state that, since his appointment, those appointed have come from counties adjacent to where prisons are situated. That is refreshing and it is completely different to what Senator Jim Walsh suggested, namely, that it is a numbers game and they will do whatever they want.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: We have had enough of that type of politics. I am glad there is a Minister who, much to the disgust of some on the opposite side of the House, is prepared to move away from that situation. It will not be a numbers game anymore. I listened with incredulity to Senator Minihan who asked why we could not wait for the report on reform before we tabled motions of this nature. Only yesterday we...

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: The numbers game is coming up again.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: Will the Minister take on board Senator Henry's suggestion to appoint ex-prisoners who have done well since their release? I am glad we are discussing this motion which has obviously challenged the consciousness of the Progressive Democrats who have responded in a manner which its supporters would like to see them do more often in Government.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: We will be pressing this motion, the tone of which the Minister said he could not accept.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: Yes.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: I am glad he was not prepared to accept the Government motion as tabled. He accepted a great deal of what is contained in our motion. We are seeking reform. It is obvious from what the Minister stated earlier that he is of similar mind. We accept that.

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister does not agree with Senator Kett.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister has been on so many sides that he will be able to scratch every fence.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: What did Fianna Fáil do in the Minister's constituency?

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: I support my colleague, Senator Brian Hayes, in relation to the Freedom of Information Act. As has been stated, we got the amending Bill only yesterday. It is disgraceful that the Government is trying to ram it through tonight. Irrespective of what is being said on the other side of the House, the Government is trying to ram it through. On another issue, I ask the Leader to invite the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: That is the way to sock it to him.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: The Leader could have fooled me.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: Not any more.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: The Normans transformed Ireland and Ireland's interests.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Maurice Cummins: Watch this space.