Results 1,281-1,300 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Sinn Féin, as I pointed out previously, already charges for water indirectly in Northern Ireland as part of the domestic rates.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: That is more of that rubbish talk. There is also a property tax in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin recently deferred the introduction of direct charging for water until 2016. I wonder why. The average domestic rates charge in Northern Ireland is £950 per household, which is far in excess of the equivalent in the South. The Sinn Féin policy of keeping Irish Water but abandoning...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: That must be bridged by additional taxes. We have not seen the budget-----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I am glad it was published at last. Perhaps Senator Cullinane can tell us where the €850 million will come from.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mullins referred to the VAT reduction for the hospitality sector and how effective the measures were. It would be a laudable thing to have a debate on the issue. Senator Terry Leyden referred to the conflict in Syria and the dangers of Islamic State. He called for a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who has indicated that he will be coming to the House in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the participation by Irish Defence Forces personnel in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mission on the Golan Heights, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude no later than 1.45 p.m., with contributions from all Senators not to exceed five minutes; No. 2, Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage (resumed), to...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: It is spokespersons.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Conway referred to positive news relating to Shannon Airport and the fact that its becoming independent has certainly proved to be a game changer, despite the warnings issued by Opposition speakers at the time. Senator Colm Burke was another who referred to Internet and e-mail scams. He also requested a review of the position with regard to Irish Water and the legal problems which...

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: Order for Second Stage (7 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: What is preventing the rogues from putting up for sale something similar? Senator Hildegarde Naughton spoke about the new procedures outlined and the reform of government grants. I imagine the matter can be addressed in the debate we will have on democratic reforms. Senator Michael Mullins remarked on EU anti-trafficking laws and the criminalising of prostitution. This issue could be...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Daly started where Senator Crown finished on the lack of transparency in the HSE. He also made serious charges about consultants operating on people without having their files. That should certainly be examined. As has been pointed out, Senator Daly's current party leader set up the HSE. Until 2012, no data were available on outpatient appointments and it was totally unmeasured....

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: With regard to the removal of patients from waiting lists, patients can be removed as part of the HSE waiting list validation protocol. GPs and consultants are informed if the patient has been removed from the list and, if the GP or consultant considers the patient should be reinstated, this is done. In 2013, a total of 500,000 people did not attend outpatient visits. The estimated cost of...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: It is called the truth.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Fianna Fáil has never been very good when it comes to free speech.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to be adjourned no later than 6 p.m., if not previously concluded, with contributions from group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes; and No. 2, Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (1 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I am privileged today to lead the tributes to the former Senator, Dr. Edward Haughey. Sadly, Dr. Haughey passed away after a tragic helicopter accident in Norfolk in the United Kingdom in March 2014. I take this opportunity to express my sympathy and that of the House to all who loved Edward Haughey dearly and, in particular, to his wife, Lady Ballyedmond, and his sons, daughters and close...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (1 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: As he stated himself, he never got any hand-outs and insisted he was a self-made man, which indeed he was. In this regard, it is both interesting and fitting that Members should be holding these tributes to Dr. Haughey at a time when both the British and Irish Governments have announced their commitment to the resumption of North-South talks and to bringing people together. I am sure that...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: On Senator MacSharry's point, the Taoiseach raised his hands yesterday and said he got it wrong. I did not hear the Fianna Fáil leader admit he got it wrong by not putting forward a Fianna Fáil candidate for the Seanad election. There were calls for the Taoiseach to come before this House to account for himself. Senator O'Donovan mentioned the Constitution and under the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik spoke about the revised model of ministerial appointments to State boards and it represents a good day's work. The decision was made by the Government and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, that all vacancies on State boards must be advertised openly on the State boards portal operated by the Public Appointments Service. Candidates must meet...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2014)

Maurice Cummins: On a point of order, that is not true.