Results 921-940 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Paul Bradford: That was not voted down. It is still on the Order Paper.

Seanad: Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Paul Bradford: The Minister of State said this is a new Government with a new approach. It has been in office for only six months and it is much too soon to cast final judgment on its approach. Senator Crown has brought forward this Private Members' Bill because he saw what he felt was a gap in the law which needs to be addressed. It is welcome - I do not state this in a patronising fashion - that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Sep 2011)

Paul Bradford: I support the request by Senator Jimmy Harte for a debate on social housing. That is basically what was requested. There are tens of thousands of people on housing lists and thousands of vacant properties across the country. The rental accommodation scheme, RAS scheme, which is useful, appears to be underfunded. The rental allowance scheme is being abused in many cases. The Minister must...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Sep 2011)

Paul Bradford: I would like the House to have a substantial debate on the situation in the Middle East. I recognise the need to protect and define the Palestinian state but I also support the state of Israel. We need a substantive, inclusive and informed debate on the situation in the Middle East. I wish it were as simplistic and as simple to resolve as some of my colleagues appear to suggest.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2011)

Paul Bradford: It is now over 22 years since three Irish soldiers serving in the Lebanon were killed in an incident or accident. Since then, the three families involved have been trying to achieve closure by obtaining the full details on the cause of the incident. The families were concerned that the incident could have been avoided. It is fair to say their efforts over the past number of years were not...

Seanad: Farm Incomes (14 Sep 2011)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. I commend the Minister of State and his colleague the Minister, Deputy Coveney, on the work they are doing. No doubt we will come back to the findings. We need to set aside a significant amount of time, debate and thinking to ensure the viability of smaller farmers. It is crucial to keep a balance economically and socially in the country...

Seanad: Farm Incomes (14 Sep 2011)

Paul Bradford: I listened with interest to the matter raised by Senator Power and the response of the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee. If he can bring half that commitment and enthusiasm to the matter I am raising, we will make progress too. I am asking the Minister of State to report on the Government's current thinking with regard to the future of those who have traditionally been referred to as small...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: I wish to share time with Senator Paul Coghlan. I come from the diocese of Cloyne and, therefore, I am aware of the pain and suffering of many people in the community arising from the report. However, the pain and suffering of the vast majority of parishioners across the diocese does not compare to the ongoing pain and suffering of the victims of clerical sex abuse, not only in Cloyne but...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister for being with us. He has given us a comprehensive explanation of the purpose and workings of this ground-breaking legislation, which will send a strong signal to the wider public to the effect that we have one law for all sectors of society. I hope the passing of this Bill will be recognised as such a signal. The Minister has responded to Senator Quinn's point that it...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: It is a little confusing. I refer to section 19 in the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann which relates to the withholding of information. We had a brief discussion on this matter on Second Stage. The Minister might outline what the new provision will mean, what changes it introduces and how it will impact on legal service officers and others who engage with clients. Does it introduce a...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (26 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: Blame the Green Party.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (26 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister. If he continues to process Fianna Fáil-inspired legislation in such a favourable fashion, I am sure we will make great progress. I appreciate that perhaps the genesis of the legislation came from the last Government, even though it was interesting that the Minister said - I am sure it was not self-praise - that back in 1982, he introduced the concept of community...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2011: Second Stage. (26 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2011: Second Stage. (26 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: I, too, welcome the Minister to the House. I refer to Senator O'Donovan's final comment on the implementation of existing law. I look forward to the Minister's response to the Senator's observations. A huge premium is placed on the number of Bills the Seanad passes every year. Over the past two or three years in particular, a major complaint of Senators has been that they have spent much...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: The Cathaoirleach may bring clarity to the Seanad after all these years. I support Senator Aideen Hayden's comments in regard to the rental accommodation scheme, which has been one of the most successful social housing initiatives of the past decade. We all offered reassurances to constituents when the scheme was introduced that their participation would not preclude them from remaining on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: On Senator Feargal Quinn's point regarding the national anthem, the formula we use in certain amendments - "that the words proposed to be deleted stand" - comes to mind.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: I join those colleagues who have suggested that at the opportune time, one hopes before the summer recess, Members should reflect by way of a debate on the Cloyne report. I did not hear the full contribution made by Senator Norris but he indicated Members should read the report in full before commenting in any great detail and I agree with him in that regard. I speak as a member of the...

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, to the House. He has a challenging and interesting portfolio, one in which he will succeed. I suspect his experience of many years as a member of a county council gives him the types of insight that are important in terms of addressing the current problem. The Irish have had an extraordinary relationship with housing and house ownership....

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the legislation. The Bill - which has numerous sections, as, I suppose, all finance Bills have - is straightforward in nature and we have no difficulty in supporting it. Senator Reilly used the phrase "progressive legislation", which I hear so often and which, while I hold the Senator in huge admiration, can irk me from time to time. I hear these phrases "progressive legislation"...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: I, too, welcome the Minister of State. I welcome the introduction of this legislation. As has been stated by previous speakers, it follows up the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010. The commitment was given by the then Government and the incoming Government obviously had no difficulty in putting in place the legislation promised at that stage. The...