Menu
14/05/2009
Golfing Senator 'Calls Off' Seanad Sittings
A leading senator has been accused of cancelling sittings of the Seanad in order to go golfing.
Fianna Fail's Donie Cassidy has been asked to resign after it emerged he and other members spent Tuesday on a golf course after the senator cancelled Tuesday sittings without explanation.
Many senators expressed surprise after the announcement that the chamber will not sit on Tuesdays for the rest of May.
A notice on the Schedule of Business for this week in the Houses of the Oireachtas said: "Please Note: Seanad Éireann adjourned until Wednesday 13 May 2009 at 2.30pm."
Mr Cassidy, who is leader of the Upper House, is said to have reduced the days the Seanad was in session without consultation. Normally, members meet three days a week, from Tuesday to Thursday.
However, on Tuesday, Senators did not meet when the Oireachtas Golf Society held an event at Portmarnock Golf Club.
Fine Gael Senator Francis Fitzgerald said Mr Cassidy was running the house with arrogance, making "arbitrary" decisions on sitting times.
Her party colleague, Senator Jerry Buttimer, said: "If the leader cannot do his job, he should resign and let others do the job. Go leader, resign and let us debate issues of interest to the people."
Mr Cassidy said this week that the golf and the Seanad not sitting were unrelated.
Senator Cassidy was elected to Seanad Éireann on the Labour Panel in July 2007. He is spokesperson on the Taoiseach and Northern Ireland.
Mr Cassidy is a keen property owner, and is believed to own several hotels and has recently completed another on the site of the National Wax Museum, which he also owned.
He also owns Celtic Note, a specialist Irish music store on Dublin's Nassau Street and since 1984 he owns a franchise to sell CDs and DVDs at Dublin Airport.
He also owns several buildings in Mullingar, along with record and music publishing companies.
(DW/BMcc)
Fianna Fail's Donie Cassidy has been asked to resign after it emerged he and other members spent Tuesday on a golf course after the senator cancelled Tuesday sittings without explanation.
Many senators expressed surprise after the announcement that the chamber will not sit on Tuesdays for the rest of May.
A notice on the Schedule of Business for this week in the Houses of the Oireachtas said: "Please Note: Seanad Éireann adjourned until Wednesday 13 May 2009 at 2.30pm."
Mr Cassidy, who is leader of the Upper House, is said to have reduced the days the Seanad was in session without consultation. Normally, members meet three days a week, from Tuesday to Thursday.
However, on Tuesday, Senators did not meet when the Oireachtas Golf Society held an event at Portmarnock Golf Club.
Fine Gael Senator Francis Fitzgerald said Mr Cassidy was running the house with arrogance, making "arbitrary" decisions on sitting times.
Her party colleague, Senator Jerry Buttimer, said: "If the leader cannot do his job, he should resign and let others do the job. Go leader, resign and let us debate issues of interest to the people."
Mr Cassidy said this week that the golf and the Seanad not sitting were unrelated.
Senator Cassidy was elected to Seanad Éireann on the Labour Panel in July 2007. He is spokesperson on the Taoiseach and Northern Ireland.
Mr Cassidy is a keen property owner, and is believed to own several hotels and has recently completed another on the site of the National Wax Museum, which he also owned.
He also owns Celtic Note, a specialist Irish music store on Dublin's Nassau Street and since 1984 he owns a franchise to sell CDs and DVDs at Dublin Airport.
He also owns several buildings in Mullingar, along with record and music publishing companies.
(DW/BMcc)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 June 2011
Senator O’Donovan Elected Leas Chathaoirleach Of 24th Seanad
Senator Denis O’Donovan has been elected unopposed to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach of the 24th Seanad. Commenting on the election, Senator O’Donovan said: “It is a huge privilege for me to have been elected to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach.
Senator O’Donovan Elected Leas Chathaoirleach Of 24th Seanad
Senator Denis O’Donovan has been elected unopposed to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach of the 24th Seanad. Commenting on the election, Senator O’Donovan said: “It is a huge privilege for me to have been elected to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach.
26 May 2011
Senator Paddy Burke Elected Cathaoirleach To 24th Seanad
Senator Paddy Burke has been elected unopposed to the position of Cathaoirleach of the 24th Seanad. He assumes the position from outgoing Senator, Pat Moylan.
Senator Paddy Burke Elected Cathaoirleach To 24th Seanad
Senator Paddy Burke has been elected unopposed to the position of Cathaoirleach of the 24th Seanad. He assumes the position from outgoing Senator, Pat Moylan.
04 November 2013
Low Uptake Of Flu Vaccine Among Health Workers
Patients in Ireland are at risk, due to the low uptake of the flu vaccine among healthcare workers, according to Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke. Burke, who is also Seanad Spokesperson on Health, highlighted the need for healthcare to become more active in halting the spread of the flu in the coming winter months.
Low Uptake Of Flu Vaccine Among Health Workers
Patients in Ireland are at risk, due to the low uptake of the flu vaccine among healthcare workers, according to Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke. Burke, who is also Seanad Spokesperson on Health, highlighted the need for healthcare to become more active in halting the spread of the flu in the coming winter months.
02 May 2012
FF Bill To Protect Gay Teachers And Medical Staff To Be Debated
Schools and hospitals would no longer be allowed to discriminate against gay, lesbian and bisexual staff under legislation to be tabled by Fianna Fáil Senator Averil Power in the Seanad today.
FF Bill To Protect Gay Teachers And Medical Staff To Be Debated
Schools and hospitals would no longer be allowed to discriminate against gay, lesbian and bisexual staff under legislation to be tabled by Fianna Fáil Senator Averil Power in the Seanad today.
10 August 2010
Callely Handed Two Week Deadline
The under-fire Senator, Ivor Callely, has been given 14 days to explain his controversial expense claims by two separate Government committees. The Seanad Committee on Members' Interests and a Fianna Fáil internal committee have announced two investigations into the latest allegations against Mr Callely.
Callely Handed Two Week Deadline
The under-fire Senator, Ivor Callely, has been given 14 days to explain his controversial expense claims by two separate Government committees. The Seanad Committee on Members' Interests and a Fianna Fáil internal committee have announced two investigations into the latest allegations against Mr Callely.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
