Results 41-60 of 801 for speaker:Catherine Ardagh

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2024)

Catherine Ardagh: I also want to join with my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney. Many of us were watching the screens in our own offices and were absolutely stunned by the treatment of Senator Clonan. Children who have a disability deserve to be treated like any other child or citizen of our country, whether this is in relation to getting services from the HSE or having their representative table a question...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jan 2024)

Catherine Ardagh: I also congratulate the chair of the autism committee, Senator Carrigy. In our various groups, we all tried to push our colleagues to ensure that they did the training and we were pushed by the Senator. It was well worth the effort. I raise the issue of buy now, pay later services. Many of us because of our age - I am middle aged - use mainstream banks. Revolut might be as far as I go in...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. A strategic plan is probably one of the most important documents in all organisations. Much of the time, organisations do not spend enough time considering a strategic plan. I note that a board will be put in place and the establishment of the board has already been discussed in the Seanad. I add that it is important that people from a...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: Yes, between the gardaí and the local people living in the area and there is great feedback. There are great channels of communication between the local community and An Garda Síochána. It is important we get information, not only about the bad stuff we read about. A lot of good stuff is going on as well and An Garda Síochána has an important role to play. I thank...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I just want to bring in the community element of the strategic plan. I am giving an example of how the interaction-----

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: My point is there should be huge interaction with the community policing aspect and input into the strategic plan. I would like to see community involvement in the membership of the board. It is important that people have a say. If we re-invest-----

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: -----in our communities, not only the elderly, but also the younger section of society, we will see massive dividends being paid as regards less crime on the street and people feeling-----

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: -----more of a sense of belonging.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: Will the strategic plan be on public view in local Garda stations? Will there be any input from the public into the plan before it is decided upon and presented to the Minister?

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: As Senator Chambers said, some people will not be able to access a plan like this, particularly those with a disability. A lot of information from other Departments is only accessible online and not everybody has an email address or access to broadband. Could we get an assurance from the Minister that the plan will be on display - possibly in every Garda station in the country - and that...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: Section 64(4) provides that there is to be a report. It seems to be styled in terms of the publication of a report on implementation. Can the Minister assure us that the report on implementation will also be made public in Garda stations, libraries and post offices, as we have suggested, or will this not be the case?

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I refer to section 65(13), which we discussed at length when we discussed the strategic plan under section 63 and its publication. Is it similar in that there will be some sort of right of reply? Will it be displayed in public? Will there be a right of reply for members of the public to the plan and a body that will accept any recommendations or submissions the public will have? In the...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: On repercussions if the service plan is not met, I note there will be redress to the board and the Minister. What specialist advisers does the board have in this area and what redress will it have, if any, in respect of overspend or misfeasance in the annual service plan?

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I will speak on the issue of capital planning. We all know that the process of budgeting resources for organisations is a budgeting process for their long-term future that includes projections for future projects.I commend the Minister and the Department. Around the country, we can see beautiful Garda stations. I think we have seen these in all our communities. I know the OPW can be...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: This section concerns the governance framework document for An Garda Síochána, which includes an outline of the guiding principles applicable to An Garda Síochána and the organisational structure of it. It almost indicates that there could be significant changes. It is very important for members of the public as well as us, as parliamentarians, to be informed of the...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I will start again.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I want to speak to the section on the governance framework document for An Garda Síochána and, specifically, the organisational structure of An Garda Síochána. As I said, it is important that members of the public and we, as Members of this House, are aware of the organisational structure. Section 70(4) states that the annual report will be laid before each House of the...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I welcome the review, especially as regards the means-testing of carer's payments, which is an issue we have raised in this House on numerous occasions. It needs to be looked into to ensure it is fair for carers and those they are caring for. The second issue I raise is the thresholds for the fuel allowance. There are many ancillary benefits available to people who qualify for the fuel...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (7 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank the Minister of State for joining us today. I also join in commiserating with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, on the loss of her mother.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (7 Dec 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: It is always a good day when the Social Welfare Bill comes before us. This is one of the biggest budgets in the history of the State. I say that every year. This year's budget is €2.3 billion. Senator Craughwell talked about the important issue of class K, as he has every year. I am glad Fianna Fáil is part of this Government. In the next few weeks we are going to see huge...