Results 11,381-11,400 of 27,087 for speaker:David Cullinane

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: I too think it is terrible that the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health is not here. I have raised this issue in the House on several occasions. A few weeks ago, on foot of the most recent report from the Mental Health Commission, I raised it during Questions on Promised Legislation. There were clear warnings, not just in the most recent report but in a series of...

Report of the Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: I welcome the opportunity to debate this issue and take part in contributions and statements on the report of the Seanad reform implementation group. I do not think the Minister of State will disagree when I say that there have been far too many reports on Seanad reform, none of which has been implemented to any significant degree, if at all. We could all wallpaper our living rooms with...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: This relates to an arrangement, which I have raised previously, regarding top presenters who can set up companies for the purpose of paying a portion of salary as corporation tax and not as income tax. The issue was examined in other areas of the public sector in the past where there was a mix of public and private. It is timely it has come up today given the announcement by the director...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: Yes.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: I have not mentioned this yet but because I raised it, I have had some correspondence from some staff members who have been interviewed. They were not happy with the process or with the contracts they were subsequently offered. Some of them were found to have been on the wrong contracts. They were self-employed but should have been on proper contracts. They are being offered proper...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: I am conscious that the director general does not have to come in. She is not an Accounting Officer. I made the point that there is a debate about funding public broadcasting. RTÉ is very clear that it needs more money and a reform of the licence fee. I accept that is primarily a matter for the sectoral committee but there is an issue regarding accountability. I do not believe we...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: -----that it was more than 50%. That is a policy area as well so I understand that.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: Can I raise an issue about the work programme and how we allocate the lead and second speakers?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: This is the place and the time to do it. I assume it is a rotation.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: The secretariat do it fairly so I have no problem with that but what happens when Government representatives who are allocated their speaking time as leader or deputy leader do not take their slots? How is it then allocated? I do not mean to make this as a political point but it is becoming a habit that Government representatives are being allocated lead and deputy lead positions and then...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: It has been fair. I have no quarrel with that.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: That is what I am asking.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: It was whoever turns up.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: The reason I am raising it is not so much that they do not turn up; that is a matter for them. I am not going to pass judgment on who does or does not turn up but when people are informed that they could be leader or the second lead-----

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: -----not enough notice is given. For those of us who take our positions here seriously, when one is lead speaker, a lot of research has to be done. We have the support from the secretariat, which is great, and from Billy Carrie, who gives us support also, but we do our own research as well and a day or two days notice does not suffice. We should look at the way that is done to do ourselves...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: Yes, that is no problem.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: On the point about being prepared for the meeting with representatives of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and the Department of Health, we are learning lessons that we need to be as well prepared as possible and receive as much information as possible in advance of meetings. I know that can be problematic because when we receive information, it is then leaked beforehand....

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: Will it only be about the national children's hospital or will we be able to raise the long list of health issues in Waterford also?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: I am seeking clarity on the matter. As we will discuss the financial statements, the discussion will not be confined to the national children's hospital. Is that correct?

Public Accounts Committee: 2018 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Chapter 12 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 13 - Timeliness of Income Support Claim Processing
Chapter 14 - Customer Service - Development of Income Support Application Forms (7 Nov 2019)

David Cullinane: I welcome Mr. McKeon and his officials. I have a few questions on the public services card. Mr. McKeon might be aware we had the Data Protection Commissioner before us a number of weeks ago and we put questions to her on this issue as well. She published a report a number of months ago and made a number of directions to the Department on foot of that report. There were three high-level...