Results 101-120 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: Yes, I formally second it if it has not been seconded already. I support Senator Ó Clochartaigh's comments on the greyhound industry. Many months ago we both spoke on the matter here and we were promised that a further debate would take place. I know that the Minister and his junior Minister are very busy in the Department but it is necessary that we debate the greyhound industry. It...

Seanad: Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (10 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the question of culture. We should reflect deeply on the culture of our political system and how we interact with business. One of the main arguments in the lengthy report prepared by Mr. Justice Hamilton following the beef tribunal was that if the Houses of the Oireachtas were effectively used so...

Seanad: Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (10 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I move amendment No. 2: To insert the following after “Seanad Éireann on 9th June 2015”:but calls on the Government to make the following amendments to the draft Commission of Investigation (Irish Bank Resolution Corporation) Order 2015:- the Commission of Investigation shall submit to the Taoiseach an interim report in relation to its investigation no later than 14th...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I support the proposal made by Senator Ivana Bacik that we be given an opportunity to discuss, preferably with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, the issue of media ownership and media dominance. Most of us in this House were reared in an era in which we had access to the Irish Press, Irish Independentand the RTE radio and television channels....

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh to the House. I want to make some brief observations on the legislation, to which I give a general welcome. I concede I do not have the expertise in responding to the legislation that the party spokespersons have. They are obviously members of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality and went through the matter in the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: We are now told that the Minister has no responsibility and it is passed on the HSE. The same applies in other Departments. While setting up authorities, and transferring powers and responsibilities from the Minister's desk elsewhere initially sounds very positive we must reflect on the downside that we always need political accountability. This can be contrasted with the system in...

Seanad: Customs Bill 2014: Second Stage (26 May 2015)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State and the consolidation Bill he has proposed to the House. It is very interesting to reflect on the proposals being repealed. It shows the history of regulation in the customs area, from the Smuggling Act 1805 and subsequent legislation in 1807 up to the present day. Consolidation of the legislation is necessary. However, reflecting on what needs to be...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects Status (14 May 2015)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me the opportunity to raise this important matter. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, back to his alma mater. I am disappointed for once that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is not going to reply on my behalf because I will be expressing the view that the decision to annul, in the short term at least, the N20 project appeared to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects Status (14 May 2015)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister for the comprehensive reply. While he has not given me any information of which I was unaware, I note his point that "capital funding is still very constrained presenting real difficulties in relation to" projects such as this. Knowing his deep interest in politics and economics, this restrained nature of our capital funding is something upon which we must reflect. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Paul Bradford: I second the amendment proposed by Senator Crown and compliment him on the contribution he made this morning. It is a stark reminder that nothing has changed as far as health service administration is concerned, which is depressing. Governments and Ministers have changed over the past ten to 15 years but the service has not improved. We have all read about the ever-lengthening hospital...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2015)

Paul Bradford: I ask for the Chair's guidance. I wish to refer to a matter arising on Committee Stage, namely, the appointment of the chief executive under section 22.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2015)

Paul Bradford: Are we debating the issue raised by Senator Wilson?

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2015)

Paul Bradford: Senator Wilson made a useful intervention in regard to membership of the board and the prohibitions set out in the Bill. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response in this regard. I also welcome Senator Brennan's intervention regarding charges and liabilities. Perhaps we were remiss in not being more vocal on this matter on Second and Committee Stages. The amalgamation of...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2015)

Paul Bradford: On a point of order, when I asked to submit amendment five minutes after the deadline last Tuesday, which is not unprecedented, I was told that it would be impossible to do so. I am surprised that the Minister of State was aware that I was in contact with the Bills Office. When I attempted to submit my amendment I was told there was no possibility of extending the deadline. I had expected...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Insurance (30 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to seek an update from the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar. Presumably, the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, will speak on his behalf on the response to or take-up in respect of the Government's recent decision to levy people aged over 35 who take up health insurance for the first time after 30 April 2015. I have mixed feelings about the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Health Insurance (30 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: To repeat the point I made earlier, even at this late stage the Minister should consider an extension of the deadline. It is something we see across many Departments in respect of many schemes that the deadline is extended at the last minute. I would not expect to hear from the Minister at this hour of the last day. If we are genuinely attempting to encourage as many people as possible to...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: I apologise for missing the earlier part of this debate and yesterday’s Order of Business. Perhaps there has already been a request for a follow-up in this House to the spring statement in the Dáil. We could have a useful debate. The spring statement is a European concept and an obligation imposed on the Government by the EU. It is helpful.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: It will allow Members from all parties and none to present their economic views and vision for the next few years. We can only ask that we have a full debate on the matter here with the Minister for Finance, as soon as possible. I support what Senator Mullins said about the executions in Indonesia. Most if not all right-minded people would be deeply upset and outraged at them. We must...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: This is an omnibus section which outlines the functions of Sport Ireland. On the basis of promoting elite athletes and excellence in competitive sports, the Minister of State may be able to advise me what will be the relationship between Sport Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland, a body which selects Irish Olympians and other high ranking sporting organisations. Apart from the...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: Senator Darragh O'Brien has raised a valid query and I acknowledge that the Minister of State's response is possibly as good as it can be under the circumstances. Thinking about these two words "consultants" and "advisers" and the role played by such figures in the economic history of the country over the past decade, they have become two very frightening and negative words. When we are...