Results 1,021-1,040 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Dublin Airport Authority (18 Jan 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the witnesses for their candour. I appreciate it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Dublin Airport Authority (18 Jan 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Just very quickly, this is not just metro north; there are also people advocating for a spur from Swords.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Dublin Airport Authority (18 Jan 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I am just wondering if two stations could be accommodated.

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Is Senator O'Reilly recruiting?

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: It was wonderful to listen to the Cathaoirleach's speech this morning safe in the knowledge that this is the last time we will have to hear him make long speeches, particularly about Cork and looking towards west Cork as the enemy for him. I am delighted for him. I have travelled, worked, joked and argued with him. I believe he is the right man in the right place for the right time. I was...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Last Friday, a monument, if you could call it that, was unveiled in Custume Barracks in Athlone. The inscription on it read: "Honouring the unwavering support of the families of personnel of A Company 35 Infantry Battalion ONUC". Rarely have I seen anything that offended people to such a degree. Half of the families were not invited although I got an invitation. The Quinlans did not get...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 21. In page 9, after line 22, to insert the following: “Report by the Minister 19. The Minister shall within 12 months of passing this Act issue a report to the Oireachtas detailing how public representatives, people who belong to the Class K PRSI bracket or an equivalent bracket can receive social protection. The report should address issues related to the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister’s Department provides for voluntary contributions. If somebody comes in here on class S, the voluntary contribution is €500 per year. If they come in on class A, it is €5,000 per year. A person cannot opt to become a class S contributor when they come in here on a voluntary contribution. That is the first thing. Second, I am aware of a Deputy who lost...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister for her genuine response. There is a rapporteur's report on the issue in respect of county councillors which I will ask the committee to take on board. The report offers some insight into the historical background of the social protection system and benefits. The Minister has made an offer. We are right up against the wire for social protection and people are waiting...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: To Terry's family, my deepest sympathies are with them. I did not know Terry like many of my colleagues in the House. I only met him in 2014 after a rather controversial by-election where I stole a Fine Gael seat. When I was moving into my office, Terry was one of the first people to come in and congratulate me. It was rather strange because I expected a bit of hostility and I found there...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: He met me and told me, "If I knew what was going to happen, there is no way that you and I would have ever had that conversation. The divil blast you anyway. I lost my seat to you." He was a generous man and a decent man. I will always remember his big, warm smile. He was a lovely man. I am sure the family's hearts are broken. May he rest in peace.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: When speaking about social welfare, it would be wrong to start without paying due respect to the staff in the Department. We have gone through two years of Covid and suddenly we are confronted with a Ukrainian crisis. The staff have performed exceptionally well. As for the Minister herself, she took on two Ministries and kept the ship floating in both the Departments of Justice and Social...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Is the Minister’s Department answerable to the Oireachtas?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Perhaps then the Minster will explain why its officials will not come to this committee. The Minister is here, but his officials will not come.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: In the context of search and rescue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: It is part of policy for the aviation industry in this country because-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I appreciate that. Does the Minister believe this committee has the right of oversight of what is going on with respect to the tendering process?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Let me ask the Minister something. Both of them wrote to me and signed the letter on 4 August 2022. It stated: As ministers, we are somewhat removed from the day-to-day execution of the process. Accordingly, we have engaged with our officials to understand and reply to the issues that you have raised. If they cannot have hands-on, then surely this committee should have hands-on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Another issue is of concern to me. We had Michael O’Leary before the committee the other day and Dublin Airport is about to upgrade its security scanning system to match what is in Shannon Airport and Cork Airport. We have seen the Shannon one and it is truly wonderful.