Results 1,221-1,240 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I look forward to what I hope will be a progressive announcement. It would be remiss of me not to mention the credit crisis which was referred to by the Minister of State. I noted his comments on NAMA. If it is to work - for the sake of the country's economic future, let us all hope it will - small businesses, including shopkeepers, plumbers, electricians and farmers, will need immediate...

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: We do not want climate change, either, and we trust the Minister of State's colleague is dealing with that matter in Copenhagen, as we speak.

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, to the House and thank him for his contribution. In his various presentations here over the past two years, he has always been constructive and tried to paint a picture of how it can be with various improvements in Government and European initiatives. I wish him well in that regard. In one sense the most important point, which he stated here...

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: As the Minister of State knows, tractors are required for such work and use a lot of diesel fuel. However, the agriculture sector will not be able to sustain a further fuel price increase. I appeal to the Minister of State to ensure there will be a rebate to ease the burden of a new carbon tax. We need to keep farmers working at this difficult time. Not surprisingly, there has been...

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: We await information on the parameters of the new scheme, including who can join, how long a person can remain in it and the administrative arrangements.

Seanad: Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin: Statements (Resumed) (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I suppose I should not preface my remarks by saying I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this report because it is my wish that there was no such appalling situation to comment on. So be it, we must deal with the report this afternoon. I listened with interest to the previous speaker. I recall being in the Chair for Senator Feeney's contribution on the Ryan report, on which...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: It is not me.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I am being interrupted by my colleagues. Like everybody in the country I am looking forward with anticipation and some degree of trepidation to the Budget Statement to be made in the other House this afternoon. I hope I have been consistent in what I have said in this House over the past two years on matters pertaining to the economy and the political situation. I am convinced, from the...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I hope, arising from this afternoon's Budget Statement, there will be economic redemption for Ireland, which is what today must be about. The public has already cast its verdict on the politics of the situation.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: There is a huge demand out there for the Minister for Finance, Deputy Lenihan, and the Government to do the right thing economically for Ireland this afternoon. Senators on this side of the House are also up to that challenge. I ask the Leader, for the umpteenth time, to use this House to focus on genuine economic debate over the next few months, if we are still in existence. It would be...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: The Leader could have a quiet word with her. It would be a useful vehicle for debate. I ask the Leader to put that proposal on the agenda after Christmas because there is a huge amount of work to be done in every Department. Every Minister could benefit from hearing the views of the Members of this House. I look forward to a positive reply and some action on the subject.

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I support the amendment which has been presented in a comprehensive, persuasive and compelling fashion by Senator Regan. Senator Bacik stated her concern that the proposal would overturn a tradition and a system that has been in place since the foundation of the State but the legislation, which provides for retrial, is an overturning measure in terms of where we are coming from...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I ask him to do the same in regard to this legislation. For the Minister to do the right thing in this instance, he will have to give the most serious reflection to Senator Regan's amendment. He should declare that we will not have two categories of victims, or two categories of crime, in this republic. No amnesty should be available to the perpetrators of crime.

Seanad: Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State back to House for a brief visit. We are happy that the Bill, having started here, has now concluded here. I hope the improvements it will bring will be obvious in the near future. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for engaging with us. Those who work during the dark hours and see the various amendments which need to be made is evidence of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I agree with Senator Daly's request for a discussion on Gaza at some stage in the future. However, I wish the situation there was as simplistic as he has presented it. The issue of Gaza and the Middle East in general is very complicated, to put it mildly, and there are two sides to the story, both historically and politically. The idea that bashing one side will somehow solve the problem...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I support the call from Senators Buttimer and Donohoe to have the Minister for Finance come to the House. I do not expect this to happen next Tuesday. I concur with Senator Boyle's comments about the need to use this House to have a debate not just on the social partnership model but also on dialogue with the social partners. I have asked for this debate over the past month or six weeks...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: -----today. I hope his colleagues do not think as little of democratically elected politicians, representatives of the people, as he appears to think. It is important that everybody works together. However, to have democratic views rubbished in such a demeaning fashion by somebody who, so far as I am concerned, is elected by nobody, is quite frightening indeed.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: In the medium term, I formally request if the correct procedure is by means of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to put in place a mechanism for a genuine debate in this important House of the Oireachtas on economic matters, presumably post-budget, where we will be in a position to debate with employers, employees, trade union leaders, farming groups and other organisations. This...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2009)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, for his presence and for being willing to accept the principle presented yesterday by Senator O'Toole. It will help to ensure the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission does its work in the most professional and appropriate fashion. I hope it will also help in terms of the standards expected and conduct demanded of appointees to other State...