Results 1-17 of 17 for going forward speaker:Chris Andrews

An Garda Síochána: Motion [Private Members] (4 Oct 2023)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Regional Group for bringing forward this really important motion, and the Minister for coming in and listening to the debate. This Government claims it is committed to stronger and safer communities and that it is committed to a strengthened and well-resourced Garda force. Yet, after decades of Fine Gael at the helm of the Department of Justice I see little or no evidence to...

Protection of Cash as Legal Tender: Motion [Private Members] (8 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Rural Independent Group for bringing this really important motion forward. For many people, particularly those at risk of poverty who budget with cash, moving to a cashless society is a huge concern. It shows a disconnect between Government and many big businesses, such as Ryanair, and ordinary people, particularly older people and people at risk of poverty. The GAA is...

Council Development Levies: Motion [Private Members] (1 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...there is obvious. Conway Court is the same. The neglect there is so obvious. It is hard to sum up the frustration felt by residents. They pay their rent, work hard and kept the front line going during the pandemic, yet they have been neglected for decades. If you look at Mercer House or Markiewicz House, you can see big glistening towers going up all around them yet rats are running...

Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: I want to thank Deputies O'Reilly and Cronin for bringing the Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021 forward. It could equally be called the compassion Bill because that is really what it is about. It is about showing compassion to people who find themselves in horrific circumstances, something that none of us would ever like to imagine facing. This will impact a very small...

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Second Stage (6 Dec 2022)

Chris Andrews: Legislation to regulate gambling is long overdue and is very welcome. It is to the credit of the Minister of State and Government that it is being introduced now. Successive Governments fail to act on it every year. It is welcome and commendable that the legislation is in the Dáil now. I commend the Minister of State. As a society, we often fail to address and to see gambling for...

Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Jul 2022)

Chris Andrews: ...issue of tips being withheld by employers. In 2017 he introduced the National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill 2017. Unfortunately, that was blocked by the previous Fine Gael-led Government, which made it the subject of a money message. A high number of workers in the hospitality sector frequently see their hard-earned tips being withheld by employers. We have seen from...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Thalidomide Victims Compensation (7 Oct 2021)

Chris Andrews: ...saying that the thalidomide survivors deserve compensation, recognition and justice. They are his words and yet he will not even meet them. I am pretty certain that thalidomide survivors are going to hear the same speech from the Minister of State that they have heard for the last ten years. There are, as I mentioned, only 32 acknowledged survivors in Ireland. The vast majority of...

Community Safety and Fireworks: Motion [Private Members] (22 Sep 2020)

Chris Andrews: I welcome this motion put forward by my colleague, Deputy Ward. Two weeks ago, a young woman in the park in Ringsend was hit in the forehead by rocket. When I say there was a hole in her head, I am not exaggerating. It was horrendous. It was an image that could not be unseen and was hard to get out of one's mind. It was traumatic, I imagine, for the poor woman. This year, the...

Supporting Inclusion and Combating Racism in Ireland: Statements (17 Jun 2020)

Chris Andrews: The unjustifiable murder of George Floyd has sparked a long overdue conversation on an important issue, that is, racism. While prejudice, discrimination and antagonism are evidently indisputable in the US, the Irish are not as innocent as we make ourselves out to be. In recent months, I have been disappointed to hear people saying that racism does not exist in Ireland. Have they forgotten...

Covid-19 (Employment Affairs and Social Protection): Statements (20 May 2020)

Chris Andrews: ...when everybody is struggling. It seems big landlords are being prioritised over the local economy, which is a real concern for people. Our economy will be a long time recovering if landlords are going to behave in this way. It is in everybody's interest that we work together and the Government must intervene to stop landlords acting like this. Something must be done to ensure...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (14 May 2020)

Chris Andrews: ...less, and then reach €1,000 in sales, that artist will commit to buying another artist's work for €200. I think this is a win-win for everybody and it will certainly encourage new artists to come forward. Will the Minister and the Department consider supporting and promoting this artist-led initiative? I am also interested in hearing the Minister's view on the current...

Waste Management. (28 Jan 2010)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to speak on this matter. In 2003, Ireland came close to introducing a chewing gum levy. However, ultimately this move did not go ahead and I believe now is an opportune time for the issue to be revisited. Chewing gum residue is unsightly and very difficult and costly to remove. In an ideal world, people who chew gum would dispose...

Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Second Stage (24 Sep 2009)

Chris Andrews: ...of the judicial system but in difficult economic times the focus is on getting value for money. There is a sense that free legal aid is being abused and if that if funding is available it should go to those genuine cases to which Deputy Nolan referred. The purpose of this Bill is to allow for the efficient operation of procedures at the new criminal courts of justice when they open in...

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jul 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...to the debate on the Bill. When discussing issues such as drugs and alcohol, one always feels one is showing signs of one's age and that one sounds like one's grandmother. However, I am not going to pass up the opportunity to sound like my grandmother or the Minister of State's for that matter. Clearly, alcohol is a gateway drug which, for young people, opens up the way to an entirely new...

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Chris Andrews: ...readers of The Irish Times supported the treaty but that paper connects with only a certain number of people. Such was the paper's enthusiasm and then its frustration when the campaign was not going in the way desired that I would not have been surprised to see the headline: "The People Have Spoken — The Bastards" , after the catch line of a former American politician. The Irish Times...

Cancer Services Reports: Motion (12 Mar 2008)

Chris Andrews: I thank Deputy Fleming for allowing me to share time. The implementation of the cancer control strategy is the major priority for this Government, as it is for every member of Fianna Fáil. The overriding objective of the strategy is to deliver high quality, fully integrated, multi-disciplinary cancer care at a national level. Cancer patients deserve nothing less. Like every other Member...

Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Oct 2007)

Chris Andrews: I congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Pat Carey, on introducing this Bill and on his promotion. He will be good for communities around Dublin and he has certainly been good to Finglas. I am glad there was sufficient foresight to share him with the rest of the country. I also congratulate the Minister of State at the...