Results 21-40 of 89 for speaker:Gareth Scahill

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I rise to discuss a sector that had a turnover in 2022 of €52 million and employs approximately 555 people. It is the craft beer sector in Ireland. We need to have a debate on the laws around licensing. The microbrewery in Ballinlough, west Roscommon, Black Donkey Brewing, recently announced it will cease trading. It has been in existence since 2013. Ms Michaela Dillon and Mr....

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I support this motion. My colleague, Senator Nelson Murray, has been an advocate of SMEs and rural business, as have I, since we entered the Chamber in February. I was a third-generation retailer in Roscommon. I know the effort and industry our small businesses put into everything they do. It is not just about the bottom line. Rather, it is about being part of the community. It is part...

Committee on Education and Youth: Engagement with Minister for Education and Youth (18 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I thank the Minister and her team. She has gone through much of what I had here in relation to capitation grants and transport. On leaving certificate reform and reducing the intense pressure of a single exam, I welcome the additional assessment components and the new curriculum, the drama, film and theatre and especially the climate action and sustainable development subjects. They are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (12 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: While I have the Minister of State here, I will thank him for his recent help regarding the special area of conservation in Gorthaganny in Caher, west Roscommon, following the recent gorse fires. I thank him and his Department in that regard. My question is on the national biomethane strategy. The Government published the national biomethane strategy in 2024. It sets out an ambitious...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (12 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I appreciate that this is not the Minister of State's brief. The opportunity for energy independence cannot be something we let go. I have some feedback. A leading industry body has warned that biomethane production in Ireland must be incentivised and supported ahead of cheaper imported biomethane. The current Government target for indigenous production of biomethane is 5.7 TWh each year...

Seanad: Delivering a World-Class Education System: Statements (12 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I thank the Minister for coming to the Seanad. This is an important issue and I am proud to speak about something that matters deeply to all of us, namely, ensuring that all children get a chance to learn, grow and reach their full potential. That is what our education system is all about. Ireland is working hard to build a world-class education system, not just for some children, but for...

Seanad: Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I thank the Minister for her detailed statement. I welcome Sheila O'Byrne and Catherine Coffey O'Brien to the Chamber today. I thank them for engaging with me beforehand and for their candour as they told their story. I look forward to seeing how we can meet their demands and requirements later on. I rise to express my support for the Supports for the Survivors of Residential...

Seanad: Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Insurance Reform: Motion (10 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I second the motion.

Seanad: Insurance Reform: Motion (10 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I support what my colleague Linda Nelson Murray has said. I also acknowledge the 16.7% increase in the personal injury claims guidelines is excessive. Today I want to spotlight a particular area, however, where the insurance system currently presents an unforeseen hurdle which directly impacts a vital national priority: encouraging our talented diaspora to return home. Ireland is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Research Ireland (10 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: As my colleagues have done, I wish the Cathaoirleach the very best of luck. I also welcome our guests from Research Ireland. I am looking forward to working with all committee members on a cross-party basis. We all have a single goal in mind. We all want to see how best Ireland can utilise this technology. We must ensure Ireland does not just keep pace but leads in the global roll-out...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Research Ireland (10 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: The contributions of the witnesses have been very informative that we will need to use AI to summarise it. The AI safety report was published in January. Dr. Seoighe has said there was no consensus and that Ireland was the only country out of 33 countries to highlight the social impact and the fundamental human rights aspect. He is the deputy CEO of Research Ireland. What was Ireland's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Research Ireland (10 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: It is an AI safety report. There is an onus on the committee to inform people and ask the questions. There are issues around safety but, as Dr. Seoighe highlighted, there are massive benefits to this too. That is why I was glad he outlined at the end of his submission the potential benefits for people, businesses and society as a whole, and that is also why I asked that question. Black...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Research Ireland (10 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: In certain versions of it, when you tell it the information is wrong, it will actually apologise to you, which is interesting. One of the questions I had down was how policymakers should balance the risks and benefits of AI, but Dr. Seoighe is saying the next report will potentially answer that.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Statements (28 May 2025)

Gareth Scahill: The Minister is welcome to the Chamber for his first visit this term. This is a topic that is central to Ireland's prosperity and future and our nation's competitiveness. When we talk about competitiveness, we are discussing our ability to thrive in a global marketplace, attract investment, foster innovation and create a high quality of life for our citizens. The good news is that Ireland...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (27 May 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I wholeheartedly support the extension of the Act. It allows for the responsible consumption of alcohol in designated outdoor seating areas. I welcome that it allows businesses to operate with clarity and certainty. It is pro-business. It is important we protect businesses and give them that clarity. It is also essential that An Garda Síochána has clarity with regard to its...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 May 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I wish to again raise the school transport scheme. I have made a number of representations to Bus Éireann regarding the efficiency of some of the routes. We are getting to that busier time of the year when the demand for it is going to build up. Unfortunately, the responses from Bus Éireann are weak if not delayed indefinitely. They are not receptive enough to the voices of...

Committee on Education and Youth: Business of Joint Committee (21 May 2025)

Gareth Scahill: Like my colleagues, I congratulate the Chair on his appointment and wish him the best of luck.

Committee on Education and Youth: Business of Joint Committee (21 May 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I look forward to working with everybody on this committee. We can achieve a lot. I am not going to go over what my colleagues mentioned already, but since I entered the Seanad, I have had the opportunity to visit several secondary schools and some primary schools. Most of them were already on the schools building programme. In the time it took to implement that programme, however, their...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Garda Síochána (20 May 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I move that we suspend for the duration of the vote.