Results 121-140 of 220 for speaker:Martin Brady

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Brady: I welcome both the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, and the Bill. While I agree with the Bill's contents, like my colleague, Senator Joe O'Toole, I have some reservations regarding EirGrid and the ESB per se in the future. Although the Minister indicated earlier there would be no question of privatisation, Members have heard that previously in respect of Telecom Éireann, which is...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Martin Brady: I generally agree with the thrust of Senator O'Reilly's amendments because in any business one has to engage in long-term financial forecasting. It is very difficult to do that within a five-year period. There is also the issue of staff security and jobs. A person in employment would feel very insecure if he or she did not know what would happen at the end of five years. It is right and...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 May 2008)

Martin Brady: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 27 May 2008.

Seanad: Job Protection (22 May 2008)

Martin Brady: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Billy Kelleher and congratulate him on his appointment and the good job he is doing. We wish him well for the future.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 May 2008)

Martin Brady: I welcome the Minister to the House. I worked with him at local authority level some years ago and he is a person who listens and takes points on board. Senator O'Reilly raised many issues in his contribution and I will address them now before I forget them. I agree with the proposal to cap the levy. I believe we should have more Irish language and cultural content on television and radio....

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 May 2008)

Martin Brady: We are interviewed every five years but the financial risk is not as great. However, this provision will punish existing radio stations because of the lack of competition for licences. The most valuable asset any broadcaster has is the licence. The proposal would also undermine certainty for future investment and broadcasting quality. As Senator O'Reilly said, the term of the independent...

Seanad: Transport 21: Motion (21 May 2008)

Martin Brady: I welcome my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. I congratulate him on his new portfolio and know he will do a good job. He was Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and for housing and he did excellent work. He is man who always has his feet on the ground and who never loses the run of himself. I wish him well in his new position. I refer...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

Martin Brady: The issue of school security has been brought to my attention by teachers and boards of management, particularly in connection with one school wherein there is a major problem associated with pupil security. Pupils are bringing knives and imitation guns into school and it is unfair that teachers have to deal with this. The only action they can take is to expel the offending pupils. In...

Seanad: Sustainable Residential Development: Motion (19 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: I move: That Seanad Éireann welcomes the publication of the draft planning guidelines on sustainable residential development in urban areas and the accompanying best practice urban design manual. The key policy recommendations in the draft guidelines state: Development plans, urban local area plans and planning schemes for strategic development zones schemes should contain policies and...

Seanad: Sustainable Residential Development: Motion (19 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: I thank the Minister and his officials. His guidelines generated a discussion on various issues connected with planning with which we are all familiar. I concur with what Senator Walsh said about high density apartments and estates. I referred to this issue in my contribution, as did Senator Coffey. Policing is impossible in some of these estates because all the roads are through roads...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill. I congratulate the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, on the initiative he took to change the VRT regulations for greener and more fuel efficient cars. I always seem to agree with Senator Coffey and I agree with his point on the lack of public transport....

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: For the sake of the children, we should examine this issue to avoid fatalities.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: Amendment No. 6 is in the names of Senators Alex White, Michael McCarthy, Brendan Ryan, Phil Prendergast, Dominic Hannigan and Alan Kelly. Amendment No. 7 is related, therefore, amendments Nos. 6 and 7 may be discussed together by agreement.

Seanad: Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: I thank the Minister of State for attending the House, as well as Opposition Members for their co-operation. I also wish to thank the Minister of State's excellent officials who always attend the House on such occasions.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: Now.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: I thank the Minister and his officials for their attendance and co-operation.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Motion for Earlier Signature (6 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: I move: That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Martin Brady: I welcome the Minister and his officials to the House. I welcome the increases in social welfare payments, which were also largely welcomed by CORI and Fr. Seán Healy at a recent Oireachtas committee meeting. I also welcome the fact that many agencies of which I am aware, including the legal aid centre in Coolock, the family mediation centre in Raheny and the Money, Advice and Budgeting...

Seanad: Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008: Second Stage (28 Feb 2008)

Martin Brady: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials, Mr. Devlin and Mr. Greene. As the Minister of State has said, this legislation was introduced after concerns, some of which were mentioned in his opening remarks, were expressed by the Office of the Attorney General. I agree with Senator Coffey's remarks about the purpose of the Bill which is to confirm orders made under section 3 of the...

Seanad: National Waste Strategy: Statements (Resumed) (14 Feb 2008)

Martin Brady: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor. I refer to a couple of points Senator Ellis made about dumping, farm waste and so on. I fish a lot and travel to many rural areas. In many lakes and rivers one sees much dumping of fridges, old cars and, in some cases, animals. This problem is not being treated seriously. The fines are so low that they are really not effective, particularly...