Results 3,881-3,900 of 5,763 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I agree with much of what my colleague, Senator Mark Daly, said. We in this country have a tendency to try to bury the truth. If that fails, we go on a witch-hunt and pursue the wrongdoers. When it gets too close for comfort, the wrongdoers resign, take their pensions or go off and get an important job somewhere else. Everybody then sits back and it just rolls over and over. My office is...

Seanad: Tracker Mortgages: Statements (22 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I will be as brief as possible. My colleague has covered most of the things I wished to say. One concern I have is that we seem to be talking more about Ned Kelly than the respectable banks the Minister of State and I once knew. I am quite concerned that somewhere along the line these gangsters must have come together and agreed that they would all apply the same principle on tracker...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Veterans Lapel Badge) Bill 2017: Second Stage (22 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House today to debate my Defence Forces (Veterans Lapel Badge) Bill 2017. The Bill provides for the establishment of a veterans lapel badge to be conferred upon members of the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and Reserve Defence Force by the Minister for Defence. The purpose of the veterans lapel...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Veterans Lapel Badge) Bill 2017: Second Stage (22 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Some of the concerns he raised were raised by my colleagues, Senator McDowell and Nash, and will be considered on Committee Stage if the Bill passes Second Stage today. It is very simple. The British system for the award of a veteran's badge is very simple. One simply fills in an online application form with one's service number, rank and name....

Seanad: Defence Forces (Veterans Lapel Badge) Bill 2017: Second Stage (22 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: There has been much discussion over the years about the use of Shannon Airport by American troops. There has been a great deal of talk about our neutrality. As permanent structured co-operation, PESCO, approaches, I am sure such talk is going to increase in volume and quantity over the coming months. It is important that I support Senator Higgins's request for a debate with the Minister on...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: It is not because the troops in question are on a mission sanctioned by the United Nations. There was a time when one might question-----

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: There was a time, in the very early days of the Iraq war, when use of the Shannon stopover might have called into question the issue of our military non-alignment status. However, I am of the view anything sanctioned by the United Nations does not breach that status. We heard this morning that PESCO will enable the Irish Defence Forces to purchase equipment on a global scale by , in effect,...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I knew the Senator did that for me.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: The Senator said it anyway.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: My colleague, Senator Swanick, has covered most of the points I wished to make. Many of the proposals the Minister of State brings to this House are welcome, and lots of people will be grateful for what she is bringing forward in this legislation. In particular, taking on board the concerns of members of the Defence Forces shows the Government has been listening to at least one group whose...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I think this is my first time addressing the Minister of State in this House.

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and compliment him on his work for the disabled in Ireland. He has done a tremendous job and is a great champion. I am delighted to welcome this long-awaited Bill to the House. Not only will it address the gaps in the 2005 Act regarding appointments to the State bodies established under the Act but it will also insert new provisions for...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I deeply regret revisiting the Jadotville issue this morning but I have no choice. Somebody somewhere is not telling the truth. I received the a copy of a message which I understand is from the Department to members of veteran associations. I will spare the House the introduction but it goes on to state that this is not a medal parade or a medal ceremony but a medal presentation and that...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I will do that.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I know that and I know that Senator McFadden is also deeply concerned about the reaction of veterans and deeply committed to the military in Athlone. Very simply, veterans want to be able to go up to the Minister, salute him, and have their medal pinned on their chest. Those who are not able to walk will happily be wheeled up and those who are not in wheelchairs and still unable to walk...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: Members of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association and the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen and Women.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: Every one of them who turns up.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: For starters, there will be two bus loads from Galway.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2017)

Gerard Craughwell: I cannot put a number on it today. Will the Leader tell me a number? One hundred?