Results 3,901-3,920 of 5,184 for speaker:Joe O'Reilly

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Year of Development: Discussion (27 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: I have been asked by my colleague, Senator Aideen Hayden, to apologise on her behalf for the fact that she had to leave prematurely. She was keen to congratulate the Dóchas representatives on their good work and applaud the presentations made. She will probably meet the members of the deputation later. I am happy to join her in making those positive comments on the work of...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, has just set out very clearly how the Government has dismantled the traditional appointment system to State boards, made it fair and open and took it away from being the preserve of political patronage and the traditional inner circle. He set out the situation lucidly and I do not propose to repeat those points. In his...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: -----and the dignity of those in need.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: Some points merit repetition. The core social welfare rates were maintained right through the recession. That is an achievement of the Tánaiste and the Government. Free travel was protected. The respite care grant has been fully restored to €1,700 and it was never less than approximately €1,400. Two weeks of paternity leave have been introduced. A modest but...

Hospital Emergency Departments: Motion [Private Members] (14 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: It is important at the outset to establish what has been achieved to date and to acknowledge the proactive leadership role of the current Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and that of the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch. For 2016 health will have funding of €13.195 billion for current expenditure and €414 million for capital expenditure. This represents increases of €900...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Current Developments in Northern Ireland: Discussion on Fresh Start Agreement (17 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I join the Chairman and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in congratulating the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, and his team on their excellent work in Northern Ireland. I know from the remarks of our Chairman and other anecdotal information that he, in particular, put in a strong personal commitment and I thank him for it. It is appreciated. I also ask the Minister of State to convey our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Court of Auditors Annual Report 2014: Mr. Kevin Cardiff (16 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome Mr. Cardiff and his team. I echo the Chairman's first question because many people will be anxious to know the process by which we have arrived at being net contributors and will be concerned to think we are borrowing to contribute. They will also be concerned because they are still suffering the effects of our extraordinary and profound recession. People want to know the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Court of Auditors Annual Report 2014: Mr. Kevin Cardiff (16 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: Over very small parcels of land that are effectively under the ownership of-----

Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (15 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I congratulate my good friend and colleague, Deputy Willie Penrose, on his courageous and far-seeing work. He pioneered the Bill which is his achievement. He has been working on it for a long time and brought all of his professional skills to it. Well done to him for this reforming and excellent legislation. There are three reasons the Bill is good. First, it will encourage creditors...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Alleviation (10 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I am sorry to interrupt. Will the Minister of State consider reading the second part of your script at the end? Is that acceptable?

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I wish to share time with Deputy Neville.

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Bill and commend this proactive Minister of State on the Bill, which reflects the recommendations of the expert group on the Mental Health Act 2001. The legislation is progressive and to be welcomed in that regard. Fundamental to everything we do in the area of mental health must be the absolute dignity of people with mental health issues and respect for and full...

Rent Certainty and Prevention of Homelessness Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor is sharing time with Deputies Mulherin, Neville, Dowds and Catherine Byrne.

Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: The Bill will achieve the long-talked-about reform of the bail laws and the consecutive sentencing that is required. It matches a raft of other initiatives that have been introduced by this reforming Minister, who is getting on with the business. Criminals are not welcome in this country. They will feel very unsafe in it shortly.

Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: Yes. With the Acting Chairman's permission, I propose to share three minutes with my colleague Deputy Butler and two minutes with Deputy Tóibín, who has assured me he wants to recognise the Government's achievements in the area of crime detection and prevention. Maybe the Acting Chairman would indicate when my time is up.

Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I thank the Acting Chairman. It merits saying at the outset that the question of bail and crime committed while on bail - the misuse of bail - has been in the ether, for want of a better term, or floating around for a considerable time and has been the subject of much debate and discussion among all of us interested in crime detection and prevention. For that reason, it is to the eternal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Terror Attacks in Paris: Discussion (26 Nov 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the ambassador. The main purpose of my words is to be associated with all my colleagues in expressing our sympathy and solidarity with the ambassador, our support for him, and our abhorrence of the shocking events in the ambassador's country recently. Paris is a very beautiful city. It is the centre of high culture in our continent. It has given us tremendous art, music and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Work Programme 2016: European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development (26 Nov 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Commissioner. I wish him continued success in his role and thank him for coming to the meeting. I also welcome Ms Nolan and Mr. Keary. Given that the UK is our major training partner and we have many ties of kinship and a very particular and special relationship with it, the prospect of it exiting from the EU is of enormous significance to us....

Developments in Mental Health Services: Statements (19 Nov 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I am proud to say that I have a history of volunteerism in this area. I was the inaugural chairperson of Bailieborough Mental Health Association for a number of years in the mid-1990s. That association went from strength to strength and became involved in a wonderful amount of wide-ranging activities. I worked with the development officer of Mental Health Ireland in respect of the...

Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I call Deputy Spring who is sharing time with Deputy Buttimer.