Results 81-100 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (30 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister of State for presenting this legislation to the House. I attended the meeting in Leinster House last week at which members of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, discussed with Oireachtas Members their ongoing campaign to achieve fairness at work, to put it in simple terms. It was a constructive meeting in the course of which the delegates presented their view on...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I am hesitant to involve myself in the new Kerry civil war between Senators Daly and Coghlan.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I wish to support the very measured comments on Greece from Senator Quinn. We must proceed with great caution. Given that everybody in politics looks at the political side of things, it is fair to say from a political perspective that from the point of view of Renua, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil or Labour, Mr. Tsipras and Syriza may not be our cup of political tea.However, we must respect...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: It would be a major leap into the dark if Greece left the eurozone. There is no example of what happens when a country leaves the eurozone. This would be the first such example. Undoubtedly, there could be a grave threat of contagion which could affect not just Athens but the entire European Union to Achill Island. It is important that our Government and other governments in the EU work...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I ask the Leader for a debate on care of the elderly. I sound like a long-playing record on this because I have made this request on many occasions down the years. I do so today, however, in the context of the recently issued report by ALONE which clearly demonstrates that up to one third of people who are currently in nursing homes do not need to be there, should not be there and would be...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Universal Health Insurance (23 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, to the House and thank him for attending to respond to the matter I have raised. It is a question rather than a motion or statement because my inquiry is simply to seek from the Minister an update on his current plans for either the roll-out of the universal health insurance scheme, as initially conceived, or an alternative to it. We must...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Universal Health Insurance (23 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister for his reply. I note he has not yet outlined any timetable. However, I know a lot of work remains to be undertaken. A concept of health insurance is obviously at the core of the Minister's thinking. The Minister outlined in his reply that he has taken steps to make health insurance more affordable. That is debatable. One such step was the introduction of the new...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (17 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I am pleased the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ann Phelan, is present given that she also has responsibility for rural affairs. The regeneration of rural areas and the ability to sustain farm families will depend on having in place planning rules, guidelines and laws that are appropriate, fair and balanced. I am concerned at what appears to be a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (17 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to learn from the Minister of State that the guidelines for planning authorities on spatial planning and national roads 2012 appear to be at the centre of this debate. She said she is keeping the guidelines under review. Will she generate or open a new national debate on the guidelines or is it simply a matter of people contacting her directly to make suggestions? Will it be...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (17 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I, too, support the motion and echo the words of the previous speakers. I listened to the contribution of the proposer and seconder of the motion in my office and their passionate comments show how committed they are to this proposal. It is politically depressing - this is not a partisan point - that such a sensible, reasonable, non-political and non-judgmental motion could not be approved...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Private Rented Accommodation Provision (16 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Coffey. I raise the issue of the future of the private housing rental sector in this country. I am doing so, in one sense, in the context of the immediate and current crisis but what we need is not simply a debate and a partial or short-term solution to the crisis, but a more long-term strategy about the future of the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Private Rented Accommodation Provision (16 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister of State for his response. This is the beginning of a much more substantive debate on housing policy. I read with satisfaction his closing comment that his objective is to work on behalf of tenants, landlords and society as a whole. My concern is that sometimes the person who holds the Minister of State's position, which is very important, sees himself or herself not...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I join in the message of sympathy from the House to the families of the young persons who were killed or injured in California. It is a profound tragedy. I support the sentiments expressed by colleagues across the board regarding the "Collusion" programme that was shown last night on RTE. While it was shocking, it was not surprising. We all know that, tragically, this type of illegal...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Foreign Conflicts (11 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this important international matter and I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Flanagan, and thank him for being present to hear my presentation. I am raising the issue of the ongoing ISIS threat because I am seriously concerned that, from an international perspective, neither the European Union nor, in particular, the United States is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Foreign Conflicts (11 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister for his response. When the ISIS media watchers take note of his answer, they will be reminded of The Skibbereen Eaglein keeping its eye on Russia. That will be the impact of the policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The media watchers may read about our support for capacity building and our co-sponsoring of UN resolutions and ask, "So what?" The...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: On Tuesday this week I supported the call from Senator Bacik to have, at the earliest possible opportunity, a debate on the media and media ownership in the context of what we expected to be reported from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy White. I understand the Minister, Deputy White, yesterday launched some type of policy guide or initiative. I repeat...

Seanad: Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State. While I missed her initial contribution, I listened to some of it in my office and also listened with interest to the contributions of Senators John Crown and John Gilroy. I would not describe the measure as a small or big step backwards or forwards. It will regularise the position for the over-70s who, for a short period, had an automatic entitlement to a...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I shall let the parties of the left fight their battles outside of the Chamber.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I support the ongoing campaign by Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell in regard to An Post. I support the Senator's call for the Minister for Social Protection to appear before the Seanad to discuss her role in this regard. We have a Minister who has responsibility for rural affairs, a concept which commenced at the time of setting up the Department that I fully supported. One really has to ask...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Paul Bradford: I congratulate Senator O'Donnell on her ongoing campaign and lend her my support. I formally second her amendment, if necessary.