Results 9,721-9,740 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I thank Senator Kitt for his intervention. I intended to make the same point. It is extraordinary that Fine Gael and, to some degree, the Labour Party say they are seeking certainty in terms of the direction in which we are going when that is exactly what I am providing. It is quite obvious that Fine Gael does not know where it is headed. The abolition of the dual mandate is a policy of the...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: As Senator Dardis has pointed out, Senator Tuffy's proposal to postpone implementation until 2009 is like saying, "Make me pure, but not quite yet." Either we take this step or we do not but it should be noted that underpinning the proposal is the policy position of Fine Gael and the Labour Party. There is no getting away from the fact that both parties are tabling amendments this afternoon...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I have answered the question prompted by the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Government amendment No. 5: In page 3, to delete lines 28 to 34 and in page 4, to delete lines 1 to 13 and substitute the following: "3.–The Principal Act is amended by inserting the following after section 237:

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I am glad we have had time to deal with this amendment which addresses issues at the root of much of the debate on Second and Committee Stages. The amendment seeks to provide that when Oireachtas Members leave the local government system, their dealings with the local authorities at a representational level will be secure. I bring it forward in direct response to concerns expressed by Members...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: The force of law.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: Yes.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I am doing that by regulation.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I appreciate what Senators said. This is a reflection of many concerns raised with me. In the majority of cases, there is no need for such a section. From speaking with colleagues in my party and other parties, I am satisfied that the vast majority of Deputies and Senators have a good working relationship and that there is no need for this provision. There are, in some cases, certain...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: These are merely technical amendments. Amendment agreed to. Government amendment No. 7: In page 4, line 15, to delete "of the" and substitute "of that". Amendment agreed to.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I have no doubt about this issue. From the perspective of all politicians, including those in the Oireachtas and at local authority level, there was absolute unanimity in regard to this issue. People did not want to proceed with the directly elected chair for many reasons to which I have already referred. I do not intend to repeat what I said previously. Perhaps the issue can be revisited at...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I do not propose to accept the amendment. There is general acceptance that the provisions in regard to expenditure limits for local elections worked exceptionally well from the point of view of the public, politicians and the various political parties. We are aware of the difficulties in this regard at national level. I am more inclined towards national legislation rather than local authority...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I have already dealt with this issue. I understand the thinking behind the amendment, but the balance is correct following previous legislation. I have spoken to all the parties in relation to a town council member being a member of a county council. Town councils' planning applications are dealt with at local authority level, therefore, there would be no conflict of interest. It is what all...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: We discussed this issue at length on Second Stage and Committee Stage. This law works extremely well. Only four local authorities have been removed in more than half a century. This is great credit to the local authority system. The last removal was Naas UDC in 1985, almost 20 years ago. Prior to that one would have to go back to 1969, when the members of Dublin Corporation were removed. The...

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

Martin Cullen: I thank the Senators for their contributions. Senator Kitt put it succinctly when he said that Members were either for the dual mandate or they were not. That is the issue. I respect Senator Tuffy's views which I know are well meant. Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 seek to end the dual mandate for Members of Dáil Éireann but not for Seanad Éireann. It also seeks to permit Oireachtas Members...

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

Martin Cullen: I still do that to this day and I have not served on a local authority for many years.

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

Martin Cullen: I would be a fool if I was not aware of the detail of what was happening in my area.

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

Martin Cullen: Not all councillors want to be elected to the Dáil.

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

Martin Cullen: It is a reinvigoration of public life, a renewal process for all the parties, not exclusive to Fianna Fáil.

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

Martin Cullen: How does it?

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

Martin Cullen: I agree.