Results 761-780 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "'That" and substitute the following: "Seanad Éireann notes: the Government's first priority in the past year was to progress the restoration of economic, financial and political stability, and to re-build the international reputation of the country; that Government has published its Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work to signal its...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State and the debate on the Finance Bill 2012. It is always one of the interesting set-piece debates in the Oireachtas. A five minute contribution does not allow Members to go into any great detail on the Bill but the Minister of State will hear ideas and suggestions which may not end up in the Bill but which can be reflected on and planned for future inclusion. We...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I support the suggestion by Senator Noone that each taxpayer should receive a statement at the end of the year outlining where his or her tax moneys have been spent. Sometimes much of the noise comes from non-tax paying citizens but the tax paying citizens should be informed officially as to how much of their tax moneys are spent on justice, health, education, social welfare, etc. It would...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: When Ministers come into this House, they are not doing us a favour, they are carrying out their constitutional obligations. The Government is accountable to this House. At some stage in the short to medium-term, we may have a referendum on the future of the Seanad, a campaign I am looking forward to. Until then, however, it is imperative this House is treated with absolute respect. We...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I thank our Independent colleagues for tabling the amendments. As this is a Seanad Bill, we must complete our consideration of it today and it will then be sent to Dáil Éireann for its consideration. It is often the case that Bills are thoroughly debated in the Seanad and that some of the proposals made in respect of them are not accepted here. It then transpires that further proposals...

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important treaty. It is useful that Seanad Éireann is engaging in such a debate at this early stage. What is key is not ensuring the treaty is passed by the people in a referendum in a few months' time but, more importantly, ensuring they vote "Yes" in a progressive and enthusiastic fashion. In that context, the electorate must...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: Senators Byrne and Cullinane have made reasonable proposals to have debates on banking and the implementation of the programme for Government. It is also reasonable for me to say that it is most unlikely that the Leader could produce the Minister for Finance or Taoiseach today. I ask the Leader to try to ensure that at the earliest possible stage - I believe Senator Paul Coghlan concurs -...

Seanad: Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (8 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister and his delivery of Second Stage of this short but important legislation. As he correctly stated, it is important that we show solidarity with Greece. We must also show solidarity with the euro, which is the currency of Ireland, Greece and many other EU countries. We could debate Greece, Ireland and our relationship at some length, but we do not have the time. As...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: Like the Senator he can improve.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: Most of us would agree that the Irish people are not a stupid race and will not be politically bribed or brow beaten. With regard to the forthcoming vote, the most important thing over the next couple of weeks is that full information on the contents of the treaty, not on what it does not contain, will be provided to every single voter. The House can do itself a favour, but more importantly...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: Along with Senator Mooney, I feel a little old this morning, as I served in the Seanad from 1987 to 1989 with the late Senator Mickey Doherty. It was certainly an enjoyable experience dealing with such a colourful character and profoundly popular politician. It was an interesting Seanad in 1987 because, as Senator Mooney knows, we were not meeting in this Chamber, as it was being renovated,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: His first intervention was certainly a memorable occasion. He was a fascinating, friendly and chatty man. I suppose that in today's very politically correct politics, where it is more about soundbites and spin doctors than substance, he would be a little lost, but he was a colossus in the politics of Longford and the midlands, and in the Fianna Fáil Party, for all of his political career....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: That is not allowed.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the debate on this substantial legislation, although the Minister might feel he has heard it all before. A political lesson from this discussion for us in the Seanad is that we might be better to revert to the former way of doing business whereby speakers had as much time as they wished on Second Stage rather than the new restrictions of five or ten minutes or whatever. If we...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: If it is the case that the political parties are the road blocks and the measures being imposed on them in this legislation are the gate ways, it would imply that Independents do not need that gate way and never faced that road block. However, this does not necessarily reflect reality. In the Seanad elections last year, for example, 14 men and six women stood for election on the Trinity...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: I am asking the question. We are seeking to solve the problem of low female participation rates by placing an imposition on political parties. I am asking whether we are seeking to solve the wrong problem. I go back to the question of culture. Senator Power said that the quota regime which we are putting in place will hopefully lead to a change in culture. I would like to see that process...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: Those of us who have questions, queries and concerns about the Bill are coming from a genuine perspective. We also want to see many more women involved in the political process, but it is not as simple as introducing legislation. Wearing his previous hat as a Fine Gael organisational person of renown, the Minister successfully suggested during the last local elections that Fine Gael would...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: While I accept that it is difficult for independent candidates, only a tiny proportion are women; therefore, they are not being blocked by a political party. They have simply decided not to stand.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: We need to investigate all of these areas. What are the Minister's views on the constitutionality of the section? I am sure it would not have been brought before us if he was not confident that it was constitutional, but it is fair to say even the most-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: I am asking whether the amendments are constitutional. Perhaps the Minister might advise us if they have been the subject of discussions around the Cabinet table. The Bill may be tested; as such, it is better to face the difficulties now rather than in a few months time. The Minister might advise us if he is happy that the imposition of financial penalties on a political party to encourage...