Results 1,641-1,660 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Senator Cummins mentioned my tweet, which led to Deputy Shanahan initially and then Deputy Verona Murphy immediately raising concerns in the south east. Deputy Cullinane then called a meeting of all elected representatives in the south east. It is my belief that my tweet led to that happening and to the securing of R117 at Waterford Airport. Senator Cummins was out on the radio two or...

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: If the Senator did save the base, I am delighted, but I did not hear anything from him over the past two years while we were discussing it.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Senator Ward spoke about how the civilian SAR provider is subject to such great regulation while the military is not. First and foremost, the military is involved in SAR all day, every day. That is what it does.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Second, the report on R116 showed a terrible lack of regulation.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The report on R116 is damning of everyone who was involved in SAR at the time. There was no oversight, control or regulation. The entire process was a bloody mess. To come in here and suggest that the civilian provider was subject-----

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: No, not on this occasion. I have taken two already. To come in here and suggest that the civilian provider was subject to rigorous regulation is a nonsense. Go back and read the report on R116 to see what it says. The bottom line is that there is a business case, which sets out what this contract is expected to do. There is no reason the business case cannot be published. This nonsense...

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The pilots involved threatened to strike in 2019. Let us be honest.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The Comptroller and Auditor General spoke about the waste of €7 million-----

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: -----on providing night-vision technology that was not used until recently.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Policy: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The bottom line is that we are where we are. My final word to the Minister of State today is for her to release the business case and prove me wrong. I do not believe that she will or that it would prove me wrong. That is it. End of story.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Russia's Foreign Policy and Security in Europe: Engagement with Ambassador of Russia (2 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The ambassador is very welcome. I am sure it is getting tiresome having to respond to so many of us. I will try to get through this as quickly as I can. Regarding Russia's relationship with Ireland, we would like to think that our countries would be friendly towards each other. There are two issues that continually arise with respect to Russia and Ireland. One is the ships that are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I wish a happy St. Brigid's Day to the Acting Leader and all her friends in Kildare. I second the amendment proposed by Senator Mullen to the Order of Business. I would like to second the amendment proposed by Senator Flynn but I am not in a position to do so. I ask one of my colleagues to do so for her because it is an excellent Bill. The case of Richard O'Halloran is over, thank God. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: -----but no soldier can be ordered to murder.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I understand that.

Seanad: Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022: Second Stage (1 Feb 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The Tánaiste is very welcome to the House. Listening to the conversation so far this afternoon brings back memories of my first job in the Castle Inn in Galway, which is now long gone.At the age of 13, my wages were £2 and my chances each week. Those chances were how much I could earn in tips, and it was necessary to work myself to the bone to ensure that I got the maximum for the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Last night there was a private discussion at the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: -----and the work of the Defence Forces Chief of Staff was brought into disrepute. The matter was reported in the newspapers. It is absolutely outrageous that there would be any comment on the Chief of Staff, who is not in a position to respond.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: He is a servant of this State. The Minister must go further than he did in the Dáil this morning in making an apology to the Chief of Staff. I am not for a moment justifying anything the Chief of Staff did. The meeting with the Russians was scheduled and the photograph on Twitter was a mistake.The issue of the Russian fleet being off the south-west coast of this country in the next...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: No aircraft flies into Shannon with troops on board on a mission that has not been authorised under one of the chapters of the United Nations. This needs to stop. If we do not want these aircraft flying in and out of Shannon then we need to address this at UN headquarters and not in this House as it is not the place for it. We are a member of the United Nations and sometimes we have to be...