Results 1,961-1,980 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Next Wednesday.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I suggest an amendment to the Order of Business to allow the Minister to respond to the debate.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Roscommon was well represented.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister has taken decisions about local government that had been put off for decades. Tackling vested interests is not easy, nor is making decisions that will have an effect on people for many years to come, but he has shown himself to be a Minister who will take decisions in people's best interests. They are often tough decisions, but they will provide a local government system that...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: We certainly welcome proposals from Sinn Féin. It is very good to hear proposals, regardless of how much creative accountancy would be involved in implementing them. I remind Senator Cullinane that Sinn Féin wished to reduce the number of councils from 26 to seven in the North. That certainly shoots down many of the arguments he has made over the last ten minutes in this House....

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to a meeting with the Taoiseach which he read about in the newspapers. I met the Taoiseach about a fortnight ago and he told me letters would be issued to the leaders inviting them to a meeting, but I have heard nothing since. I have been told there will be a meeting on Wednesday but I have not been made aware of it; nor have the leaders. I will find out...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Local Government Reform Bill 2013 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to conclude no later than 7 p.m. with the contributions of Senators not to exceed ten minutes each and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate no later than 6.50 p.m.; No. 2, Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Today.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: At 10.30 a.m. today.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (16 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, "That proceedings on Committee Stage of the Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 12 a.m. by one question which shall be put by the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those amendments set down by the Government."

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: At 2 p.m. next Monday.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that rather than conclude this Bill at 6 p.m., the debate will resume on Monday, 16 December.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Sorry, has the Senator something else to ask?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Coimisinéir Teanga is standing down. As I said yesterday, a new commissioner should be put in place, as a matter of urgency, in order to replace the commissioner who is stepping down. I am sure that the Government will act, as a matter of urgency. Senators O'Donovan and Ó Domhnaill mentioned fishing quotas. The Minister has said here that very difficult negotiations will take...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: There is a lot of hot air on all sides of the House. Senator O'Brien referred to the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013. We had a comprehensive debate on Second Stage that lasted three hours. I have allocated four hours today for Committee and Remaining Stages. I understand the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, will be taking the debate. We have afforded a considerable amount of time to the Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I cannot do so. I could agree to take Committee Stage for 90 minutes and allocate two and a half hours for Report Stage but what difference would that make?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I will keep to the order I have outlined and I hope the majority of the House will accept that. I might have better news for the Senator on the Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013. I think that Bill should be broken up so that we can take Second Stage separately. I will be suggesting that we take Second Stage of the Bill on Monday, with Committee and Remaining Stages on Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: That is the best I can do for the Senator. It would be welcomed by everybody if the Bill went through both Houses by Christmas. Senator Bacik noted that we will shortly be exiting the bailout and getting back our economic sovereignty. That is to be welcomed by all and the people will recognise it as a milestone. In regard to the report on prostitution by the Joint Committee on Justice,...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: He will be here to take the Senator’s Adjournment matter.