Results 161-180 of 738 for speaker:Cyprian Brady

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: I too welcome the Minister of State. This has been an interesting debate on what is an important topic for Senators. The report produced by the sub-committee is the result of six to seven months of hard, dedicated work. This is evident in today's debate and debate outside of the Chamber. I congratulate the members of the sub-committee and its secretariat which provided great support. The...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: We have all been involved with direct elections in some form, whether general, local or European. Our system lends itself to that involvement and this House would benefit from more direct elections. I would have some concerns about their costs and about the proposed list system which could have drawbacks in the manner in which it is compiled. These matters can be debated in the future....

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: I hope to see more of my brother than of I did of Mr. Andrews. That facility would provide a mechanism for MEPs to let people know what they are doing. The report recommends that the House should be involved in a review of public policy and have an input in assessing the performance of Departments. I caution against overlapping with the work of other institutions, such as the office of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: There is not a hope of that.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: As I agree that the amendments may improve the Bill, I ask the Minister of State to consider them.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: I reject the use of the phrase "stealth taxes". We have been open about the charges that have been introduced, including the bin charges. We have seen the benefits of some of these charges. The Government is open about these matters; there is no stealth involved. I reject the Senator's assertions.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: The Minister made it clear in his previous remarks where this Bill stands on the subject.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: Section 19(1)(f) makes clear that e-mail is only one of the ways that can be used to serve notices. It can be used in conjunction with other methods. It is the same as sending a facsimile. If one sends a hard copy in the post, it will be received two days later. We should not go down the road of technophobia, although many people use e-mail in the ordinary course of business on a daily basis....

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: The Minister has pointed out on numerous occasions that there is no intention to introduce charges. I point out to Senator Bannon that a 0.5% increase on his party's last local election performance does not exactly constitute a victory. The Senator can be sure that the Minister will take on board the message we were given over the weekend and deal with it appropriately.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: I commend Senator Coghlan on the Bill. However, I have some concerns about it. We are regularly told that hard cases make bad law and Senator Coghlan outlined a particularly bad case. Nevertheless, what about the many people who have benefited from stage payments? I have not heard of even one person in Dublin who, over the last 20 years, has taken advantage of a stage payment.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: I am sure people throughout the country have benefited from it.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: We have been warned umpteen times in both Houses of the Oireachtas about interfering with the market. If we do so, we are accused of trying to influence it.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: We cannot do it. In fairness to the Minister, it is a good idea to take the time to consider this. The Department is in discussions with the builders. There is also the attitude that every developer is bad. Every developer is not bad. There is 80% compliance with self regulation. As for the other 20%, like in every other industry there will always be cowboys.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: That is not the issue.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: Somebody has to build and provide the houses; somebody has to develop the sites. We cannot simply sit back and claim they are all corrupt and so forth. People have benefited from this scheme but questions can be asked about it. There appears to be a lack of statistics on this. How many cases have gone wrong and how many have succeeded? There is no information on this.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: There are no details on the outcomes in these cases. Everybody agrees that we should assist first-time buyers. However, every house owner in the country was a first-time buyer. It has never been easy to buy a house. Ireland has a culture of home ownership which is probably unique. People in some countries in Europe find it hard to believe that the ideal in Irish culture is to own one's own...

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: Yes, but we have to deal with what is here. Look at the assistance that is given to first-time buyers. The first-time buyer's grant was abolished because it was not effective. We may have paid a price for that last weekend but being in Government means making hard decisions. That was a hard decision. There were internal arguments about it because some members supported the abolition while...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: The budgets will be interesting.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: The county managers will take control of a few of them.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Cyprian Brady: That has nothing to do with the amendment.