Results 4,861-4,880 of 5,765 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Charities and Voluntary Organisations: Statements (8 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank Senator Ó Murchú for asking for this debate and I acknowledge the Leader for facilitating it. All the organisations that have been mentioned such as the Simon Community and the Peter McVerry Trust should be commended for the work they do. I cannot understand how people can motivate themselves on a wet winter's night to go out knocking on doors on behalf of the Society of...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I compliment the Government. I woke this morning and heard more jobs announced. This is becoming such a frequent event that I almost take it for granted. Credit where credit is due. Then I switch on the radio and I listen to the happy clappy economist from Friends First who told us we were going to have a soft landing some years ago and disappeared when the landing hit the wall. I tire...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: We should teach them a lesson by not running the Bills through.

Seanad: Tributes to Member of Staff (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Will the Cathaoirleach, please, repeat that?

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I also join with the my colleagues. I did not know Mr. Hand for very long but I wish him well in his retirement and I am sorry I did not get to know him better. Perhaps he will come in from time to time, take a tour of the House and give the ushers marks out of ten for their performance on the day. I join with my colleagues regarding Senator Norris's receipt of a honorary doctorate in...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Before the Acting Chairman moves on, under the Bill there will be substantial gains for senior members of the Government, while some of those who are worst off in the country-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: In fairness, the time when this could have been done was during the debate on the legislation in the Dáil, but similar amendments were ruled out of order.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I find this very disheartening.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I said on Second Stage that this Bill is biased to some degree in favour of people who are on very good salaries. My colleague, Senator Keane, noted on Second Stage that councillors get nothing out of it. Indeed, it is very hard to figure out what local government members actually earn. They are not employees but officers, a role for which they get a miserable €16,000 per year. For...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I appreciate what the Minister is doing in this. All pensions will be restored for 80% of pensioners. I do not wish to tie the Minister into anything in this regard but can he give a rough time-line for the final 20%?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: What if there is a continued improvement between 2016 and 2018?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I understand what the Minister is saying.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: That includes holiday pay.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: With respect to the Minister it is not the ones under-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister for a comprehensive set of answers. I agree that the debate went beyond where he expected to go. He is making it difficult for me to vote against this Bill as he has been so forthright in his answers but perhaps the Minister could clarify some issues. With regard to the teacher who works up to 150 hours, the Minister has satisfied my concerns there. The teacher who is...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister is very kind.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: New kids on the block.

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Amendment No. 29 deals with transfer of staff of the Law Society and Bar Council and refers specifically to "appropriately qualified" staff. As a trade unionist, I have a difficulty with the words "appropriately qualified".

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I apologise. Senator Bacik is correct, I was looking at the wrong amendment.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I have a point of order as well. As I have been refused access to any group, I am, as such, debarred from having my views passed through a group. I agree with my two colleagues. I have not come here to have a pop at the Minister but rather to place a few issues on the record. I am really getting tired of being excluded from debate in this House.