Results 941-960 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I am only pointing out that the reason there is insufficient local authority housing is that we stopped building local authority houses.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The primary issue currently facing the housing market is a lack of supply. There is no question about that, particularly in Dublin and in some other urban areas. Increasing public and private housing supply is a critical issue and the Government's construction strategy 2020 is the blueprint to address this. I am sure the Minister will be quite willing to come in very soon to discuss that...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Is the Senator going to continue----

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: On the issue of hospital waiting lists, which was raised by Senator Crown, I note his points on the EU health consumer index. Now that the ongoing pay situation has been accepted by the IMO, I am sure that the employment of an extra 200 consultants----

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The 200 extra consultants should help make significant progress----

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senators MacSharry, Craughwell, Mooney and others inquired about the water conservation grant. The grant is a good news story and the initiative has been welcomed by many people. The Minister is on record as saying there will be no delay whatsoever in paying the water conservation grant. The Department of Social Protection has issued a statement today that it is still assessing the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Work is ongoing.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I had the decency to listen to the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I ask the Senator to listen me. If he does not want to listen to the facts then there is no point in him being here.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Dealing with the resource requirement issues is a routine feature of the Government's work. The Department processes approximately 85 million payments a year and it anticipates no issues in processing the water conservation grant.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I have outlined the situation and the statement from the Department, as it stands.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik and many other Members mentioned the Action Plan for Jobs and the regional enterprise strategy. It would be fitting to invite the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to the House. The jobs front is another good news situation, where the Government is concerned.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I realise what Senator Mooney mentioned. Prior to this Government taking office the IDA ensured that 20% of jobs were provided in the regions and the figure has risen to 36%.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Leader has not concluded but he will conclude soon, if I am allowed to do so. I have quoted that 36% of jobs are now located in the regions, in comparison with 20% in the past. As we know, the employment rate was 15.5% when we took office but it has been reduced to just over 10% now. A lot more needs to be done and is why we have the Action Plan for Jobs and a regional strategy. We...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Brennan mentioned the significant improvement in tourism figures. The sector is vital for economic recovery. A 9% VAT rate was a major help and the elimination of the travel tax was also a key indicator for increasing tourism numbers. Senator O'Donovan sought a debate on the future of Cork Airport. I can assure him that his comments were echoed by many Fine Gael representatives...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014 (changed from) Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014 [Dáil] - Second Stage, to be taken at 1.15 p.m. with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each and other Senators not to exceed five minutes.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (28 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I thank the Minister for coming to the House at very short notice. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, "That the time for the contributions of spokespersons be three minutes, that the Minister have two minutes in which to reply and that the debate conclude at 2.55 p.m." The Minister has other engagements today.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Certain Matters relative to the Cavan/Monaghan Division of the Garda Síochána) Order 2014: Motion (28 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I move: "That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Commission of Investigation (Certain Matters relative to the Cavan/Monaghan Division of the Garda Síochána) Order 2014, copies of which Order in draft were laid before Seanad Éireann on 19th December 2014.”

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (28 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: As Leader of the House and on behalf of my Fine Gael colleagues, I am privileged to lead the tributes to the late Senator John Carty, who sadly passed away after a short illness this time last year almost to the day, on 30 January. I would like to express my sincere sympathy and that of the House to John's family - to his wife Kathleen, his sons, daughters, grandchildren and wider family -...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Darragh O'Brien, and many other Members condemned the attacks on the President and indeed the Office of President. The President is the Head of State of the country and such attacks are absolutely reprehensible and should be condemned. I am pleased we have had condemnation from across the political divide here this afternoon. People also condemned the...