Results 1,361-1,380 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Paul Bradford: They were taking liberties.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Paul Bradford: I move amendment No. 40: In page 37, line 29, after "affidavit" to insert ", or a combination of both". I await the Minister of State's response.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Paul Bradford: Will the Minister of State give a layman's explanation of this section? Is it purely of an interpretative nature?

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Paul Bradford: I do not in any way have the expertise, the knowledge or the access to the fine legal tomes as has Senator Bacik. I raised this matter on Second Stage. I am far removed from professional expertise in law and I thought this section was very new whereas it is a transposition of the 1998 Bill, if I am correct. Has the Minister of State any indication as to the number of adoption orders which...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Paul Bradford: I support the points made by Senator White. Most of us approach this Bill from the perspective of the representations and constituency queries we receive on this issue. The concern raised most frequently by my constituents is the issue of the delay in assessment. I appreciate that in all legislation governing adoption we must be absolutely precise about the propriety of every part of the...

Seanad: School Accommodation (5 Mar 2009)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Cathaoirleach for providing me with the opportunity to raise on the Adjournment the accommodation needs of Bishop Ahern national school, Leamlara, County Cork. This school is unfortunate in that applications it made during the past 12 months in respect of both permanent and temporary accommodation were rejected. At present, 84 pupils attend the school. However, as it is...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Paul Bradford: I support the amendment. I brought the legislation to the attention of a number of my friends and constituents who are either adoptive parents or hope to adopt. One of the issues they raised strongly with me was the fact that countries outside the Hague Convention would become almost exclusion zones as far as the adoption procedure is concerned. What I have heard from my colleagues is...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Paul Bradford: I support the call from Senator Ross for a substantial debate next week on the economic issues facing this country. It is important Members of this House have an opportunity, in advance of the introduction of the mini-budget, to examine in detail the options facing the Government and the Oireachtas. I am concerned that too many of us believe we are playing a game of politics rather than...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Paul Bradford: I am not concerned about traps being laid by Government. What is involved is much more important. Politically speaking, the public has made an irreversible decision in respect of the current Government. We on this side of the House are challenged to rise to the occasion and to respond to this grave national crisis. The man and woman on the street do not concern themselves with who is...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber and I am glad that the Seanad is the vehicle being used to debate this very important legislation. My expertise in this regard is far from perfect and I am disappointed that we did not have an opportunity to prepare in more detail. However, I offer my support for the concept of the Bill and put on record my admiration for all those involved in...

Seanad: Milk Prices (12 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: We will return some other day.

Seanad: Milk Prices (12 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the matter of the crisis faced by dairy farmers as a result of the continuing fall in milk prices. With the Chair's permission, I wish to share time with Senator John Paul Phelan.

Seanad: Milk Prices (12 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: I appreciate that the Minister of State understands the gravity of the situation and I thank him for his interest in the subject matter. I know he would concur with my view that down through the generations in rural areas, milk was the liquid gold which kept economic activity flowing. Unfortunately recently and in the past six months in particular that liquid gold has very much lost its...

Seanad: Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Statements (12 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this debate on the crisis in the banking system. We are now entering the Donald Rumsfeld world of the known unknowns and unknown unknowns and over the past 48 hours, more of the unknown unknowns have appeared and have reduced even further the public confidence in our banking system. This side of the House recognises the absolute and urgent...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: At the risk of becoming repetitive, I concur with Senator Ellis. I appreciate that the Minister had little discretion because there is a tradition that constituency commission reports are always accepted in their entirety. This poses the question as to why the input of politicians might be regarded as improper, unwise or even illegal. We have reached a stage where we have farmed out...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: ——to arrange and rearrange constituencies. What was right in 1977 may not be right today. The Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government would surely be an ideal vehicle to discuss these issues. Issues could be debated and suggestions could be made in both Houses, yet an independent commission is given full power. The politicians' input is basically zero and...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister and welcome the contribution made by Senator Ellis. Our argument is not about whether 164, 165 or 166 Members of the Dáil is the appropriate number, but about the procedure followed to arrive at the number. It is disappointing that despite freedom of information and various mechanisms which allow Members of the Oireachtas and the public inquire into the thinking and...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to speak in this important debate and glad that the Seanad is discussing the enormous and grave financial crisis facing the country. At a time when politics and the Seanad receive negative publicity, this House should engage in robust debate on matters pertaining to the economy, analysing why and how we are in our present difficulties and suggesting how we can advance. I hope this...

Seanad: Report on European Union Scrutiny: Statements (3 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, to the House. He has a deep personal interest in this proposal and in the area of food production and food quality. It is opportune to have this discussion in the Seanad in light of the recent crisis in the pork industry. Apropos same, the Minister of State's role in dealing with the difficulties was much appreciated by everybody involved in...

Seanad: Report on European Union Scrutiny: Statements (3 Feb 2009)

Paul Bradford: The Minister of State understands the point I am making concerning foreign chicken products being rebranded as Irish. The consumer is being fooled and Irish producers are being shortchanged and their future livelihoods are being damaged. The Minister of State and his colleagues must redouble their efforts in addressing this issue. I appreciate that Europe has been rejecting our efforts. I...