Results 1,901-1,920 of 1,954 for speaker:John Gilroy

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

John Gilroy: -----since the changes to the structure of the EFSF were announced in July. By any standard, this must be welcomed and a continued reduction in Irish bond rates will ensure we will be able to re-enter the markets sooner rather than later and regain the element of sovereignty we relinquished. The changes outlined in the Bill are aimed at helping Ireland, Greece and Portugal in particular...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Sep 2011)

John Gilroy: It was stated in the House yesterday that the points system for university entrance is fair and transparent. It is probably fair for many students and families who can afford to go to the third level education, but I am not sure if it is fair for those who cannot. The points system has narrowed the learning opportunities for a great number of students in that the leaving certificate is an...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: On 15 December 2008, the Swissco Limited plant in Little Island in Cork, manufacturer of ready-made meals, closed down, leaving 154 employees out of work. Despite a Labour Court ruling that these workers are entitled to two weeks redundancy in addition to their statutory payment and an agreement between management and staff to negotiate these and further terms, the company has walked away...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: Yes. I have been pursuing this issue since 2008 without much success. Will the Leader bring it to the attention of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, for urgent investigation by his Department?

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2011: Second Stage. (26 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: I welcome the Minister back to the Chamber. I too welcome this Bill and I also welcome the comments and contribution of Senator Cullinane. We all agree with him, although the language we might use to describe our anger might be a little different from the language he uses. Language is very important when discussing these issues. No party has a monopoly on the annoyance the people feel on...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (20 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: On a point of order, is the Leader present in the House?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (20 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: Do Standing Orders not preclude Members from mentioning those who are not present?

Seanad: A Vision for Change: Statements (Resumed) (14 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: The Senator was in Government long enough.

Seanad: A Vision for Change: Statements (Resumed) (14 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: Fianna Fáil had 14 years in and now, I hope, will have 14 years out of it.

Seanad: A Vision for Change: Statements (Resumed) (14 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: I am happy to welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber again. I will make a point about suicide, although I do not intend to speak about the issue as it relates to A Vision for Change. It must be acknowledged that over 1,000 people have died by suicide in the past two years. Every party represented in the Chamber should consider this figure and we should have a debate devoted to the...

Seanad: Mobile Phones: Motion (13 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. Senator John Whelan mentioned that politicians seemed to have a mobile phone attached permanently to their ear, but it is well known that politicians' brains are smaller than those of members of the general public; therefore, the risk is neutralised.

Seanad: Mobile Phones: Motion (13 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: I commend Senator Pat O'Neill for bringing this Private Members' motion before the House. I hope, however, that he will be generous and acknowledge that this side of the House is acting in good faith in opposing it. The evidence is conflicting and vested interests are anxious to avoid damaging their brands. The same happened 30 years ago in the tobacco industry which actively suppressed...

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: There is no disrespect.

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: Are they undeserved?

Seanad: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: I welcome the Minister of State. I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I have high hopes for a constructive debate without any descent into a political row or any use of the Bill as a platform from which to hurl party political missiles. I say this without political bias. I am surprised that anyone should be surprised at the latest crisis in the health system. Two...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: I will be brief. I fully support Senator Keane's contribution earlier. Indeed, in the two months I have been a Member of the House, it is the most common sense contribution I have heard. The Order of Business is unquestionably flawed and is often used as a platform for political posturing, unrealistic proposals and headline grabbing, all of which we have seen this morning. This is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: I have lots of questions for the Leader, a Chathaoirligh, if you will give me a minute to ask them. Clearly, Senator Keane has touched a nerve with Members of the Opposition, as we have seen and heard in the response-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: I certainly have.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: I support Senator Keane. I ask the Leader to meet with the leaders of the groups in the House and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to see if there is some way of measuring the outcome of the Order of Business, certainly to reduce the time of the Order of Business and to prevent the windbaggery and posturing that has become synonymous with it.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2011)

John Gilroy: Senator Bacik alluded to the disturbing reports from the UK about the alleged hacking of people's telephones by reporters. I have no doubt we are probably inviting the wrath of the News of the World on our heads by raising the issue. It is a powerful media outlet. If the reports are true, it is appalling that the privacy of bereaved people has been breached in addition to the integrity of...