Results 1,101-1,120 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (14 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: I am pleased to have an opportunity to say a few words in tribute to my former friend and colleague, Mr. Joe Doyle. I had the privilege of serving in both Houses with Joe and my relationship with him was a little deeper than the normal political relationship, in that we both shared political careers and an office for quite a number of years. During the first Seanad in which I served, from...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: Sadly, as I predicted, I am moving away from the amendments. Housing is interesting in the sense that, even when little money is available to be allocated, there is always a choice in how this will be done. Consideration must be given to the manner in which so much money is being spent on rent allowance, although there are other ways to spend the money, while housing people and their...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: Consequently, I look forward to his musings and meandering in response.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: The Minister stated the cost of the rent supplement totalled €500 million. How many people are in receipt of rent supplement?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: Ninety-five thousand is the general figure.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: I assure the Minister that the German model is not my personal preference and that I illustrated it for the purpose of debate.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: The Minister stated he would have discussions with some of his colleagues, presumably including those from the housing sector, over the course of the summer. The Department of Social Protection will be providing €500 million to resolve a problem that, from a political perspective, should be solved by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. We often mention how,...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: The anecdotal evidence on guesstimates for social welfare fraud we receive from community welfare officers and those in the Department suggests a 5% to 10% figure of the overall budget. If that were correct, it would mean it is a very significant sum of money, some €2.5 billion. Redistributing that among the needier in the system would make a big difference. The battle against social...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: As is often the case on Committee Stage, this series of amendments allows us to wander a little beyond the Bill itself. Interesting questions have been posed by Senator McCarthy and may be more pertinent to the Minister and the Minister of State with responsibility for housing at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The questions are nevertheless worth asking....

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: I am very glad to have an opportunity to pay tribute to my late colleague Nuala Fennell. I was proud and honoured to walk into this House in 1987 alongside her. At that stage she was already a political institution. During the course of the Seanad election in 1987 I met her on many occasions on what was a long and winding road. I suppose we struck up a friendship through that unusual...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: I support the comments made by Senator Corrigan regarding the position in Iran. It brings to mind the comments of the late lamented former Deputy Brian Lenihan Sn., in which he spoke of the futility of consistency. There certainly is a futility of consistency policy in operation within the Department of Foreign Affairs. Whenever an outrage takes place in the only democracy in the Middle...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: On another subject, I was glad to hear confirmation from at least one Member, namely, Senator Norris, that he was opposed to the guillotining of an item of legislation in this House last week. I have had the privilege of serving in both Houses over quite a long number of years and Seanad Éireann always has held-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: I appreciate that. However, Members must make a statement about the role of the Seanad and must revert to the position they always have held and which the Leader has confirmed on so many occasions, that is, that legislation is dealt with fully, absolutely and totally in this House. Furthermore, Members should not practice the politics of the guillotine. Unfortunately, I was not in a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: -----would be a position not only to pass the legislation but to provide for a tolerant, generous and open debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: While Members certainly passed the legislation, which I welcome, I wonder whether they passed the test of tolerance. Did Members demonstrate that they are able to listen to everyone's opinion? This is what time, space and debating time is needed for and I hope the Leader will reflect on his decision last week to guillotine legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: It was highly regrettable and disrespectful of Seanad Éireann and its traditions.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: Does that man recognise Irish courts?

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Jun 2010)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the opportunity to say a few words about the late Peter Callanan, whom I knew for approximately 25 years of our shared political lives. I listened with interest to all the very genuine tributes that have been paid from all sides of the House. I thank the Chathaoirleach for giving me time for more than a few sentences, but If I had to sum up the character of Peter Callanan in one...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (16 Jun 2010)

Paul Bradford: I formally second the amendment.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (16 Jun 2010)

Paul Bradford: I second the amendment. I apologise for being somewhat late. I arrived at the tail end of Senator Cummins's contribution and I was taken by his comments about the need to respect this House. The Minister has been present in the House for most of the debate, for which I give him credit. We have had a comprehensive, wide-ranging, engaging and constructive debate. Obviously, there will...