Results 20,861-20,880 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: -----including Rush, Loughshinny, Lusk and even Balbriggan. I ask for the Minister to be brought t the House to explain how he will ensure Irish Water is made fit for purpose. I say to Irish Water that it should not take a public outcry over many days and the media to get it to come to turn the water back on. If that is from where it is starting, the end is nigh for it.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: Two days ago, I raised an issue concerning Irish Water, the lack of supply and the number of outages, particularly in Skerries, so I welcome the fact that following that, we had a meeting with Irish Water. I commend the residents for their determination to have this matter resolved. Arising from the meeting, there was a worrying element. The focus is rightly on finding an immediate,...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: I would like to be associated with Senator Nash's motion - I look forward to contributing on it later - on those who were treated so poorly by our State prior to 1993. I was not going to address the following issue because I am always very reluctant to interfere in the affairs of other nations. I grew up in a country that admires America. I have admired much about its ethos, its...

Seanad: 25th Anniversary of Decriminalisation of Homosexuality: Motion (19 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: I seek to oblige.

Seanad: 25th Anniversary of Decriminalisation of Homosexuality: Motion (19 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: As others pointed out, this is an important anniversary in the coming to maturity of a nation. I cannot let this pass without mentioning people I believe have been hugely influential, some of whom are in this Chamber with us today. Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn's push to decriminalise what was clearly an archaic law that did huge damage to so many of our citizens was a major step forward...

Seanad: 25th Anniversary of Decriminalisation of Homosexuality: Motion (19 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: I mention my good friend and colleague, Senator Jerry Buttimer, who formed a group within Fine Gael, often considered a conservative party, to push for the marriage referendum.

Seanad: 25th Anniversary of Decriminalisation of Homosexuality: Motion (19 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: I mention my colleagues in the Labour Party who also pushed for it. As Senator Martin Conway said, it is one thing to change a law but another thing to change people's minds, hearts and attitudes. If we needed evidence of that change, the marriage equality referendum was evidence of that. I also agree with Senator Conway that much else remains to be done on equality in this country. I...

Seanad: 25th Anniversary of Decriminalisation of Homosexuality: Motion (19 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: He was a great advocate. When I was Minister for Children, I realised the harm and the hurt caused to younger people by some of the commentary during that referendum. I am pleased to say they can now look forward to a bright and equal future and our country is a far better place for it.

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (19 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome his comments about SMEs and the commitment the Government is showing to the sector. As others have said, SMEs are the backbone of our economy. In rural Ireland, they can be the backbone of the community as well. As somebody who believes that the economy is extremely important insofar as it supports society, it is critical that we remind...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Statement of Strategy 2018-2021: Engagement with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (19 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: I thank Dr. Quinn for her presentation. I congratulate the Department on all the work it has done. The employment figures speak for themselves. That the recovery is taking place across the country speaks for itself. Also, it is not a Dublin-centric recovery, as has often been stated, because more jobs were created outside of the Dublin region last year. I want to take the opportunity to...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2018)

James Reilly: I wish to raise an issue I have raised several times here in the House. It concerns the lack of guidelines relating to solar farms. At a time when we are facing such huge fines from Europe for our carbon emissions, clearly solar farms would be a huge addition to reducing that bill yet we do not have any national guidelines and local authorities are refusing planning permission for these...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2018)

James Reilly: At this time of year, especially with the sun shining, it might seem strange to raise this subject, but it is one I have raised many times. Every winter there is flooding and coastal erosion, and nowhere more so than in The Burrow in Portrane. One family has had to abandon their home there, 13 other families face the same prospect and two businesses will also have to leave unless action is...

Seanad: Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2018: Second Stage (5 Jul 2018)

James Reilly: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus an Bille tábhachtach seo. I welcome the Bill because it is a very good step in the right direction. As others have done, I acknowledge the tremendous work done by carers in this country. They provide care out of regard and love in many instances for those for whom they care. Others do so through a commitment of wanting to help others....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Insurance Costs (12 Jul 2018)

James Reilly: I have raised this issue on the Order of Business a number of times. It concerns the cost of doing business in Ireland. The committee launched a report yesterday and one of the three big things we dealt with was the rising cost of insurance. Some businesses are finding it impossible to continue, while others can no longer expand because of increased premiums, some of which have doubled in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Insurance Costs (12 Jul 2018)

James Reilly: I thank the Minister for his reply. I hope a Garda fraud squad for insurance is set up, although I am not vexed as to whether it is funded by the insurance industry or otherwise. Businesses are struggling in this country and SMEs, which are the backbone of our economy, are afraid to expand because they are not sure what their insurance premiums will be next year. We have nearly reached...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2018)

James Reilly: Yesterday I attended the launch of the Asthma Society of Ireland's prebudget submission. The society has issued a small booklet which contains some startling information. Some 470,000 people in Ireland suffer from asthma, including one in five children. One person dies every week as a result of asthma. Many of these deaths are preventable. The society has asked for a number of things,...

Seanad: Companies (Statutory Audits) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Jul 2018)

James Reilly: I welcome the Minister to the House and I welcome the Bill. As others have said, it is very important legislation. The Bill is quite lengthy and the Minister has given a very easy to understand précis of it. Some of the briefing was quite opaque, to be frank. Having said that, the Bill is very welcome. We are still suffering the scars of the financial crisis and the performance of...

Seanad: Companies (Statutory Audits) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Jul 2018)

James Reilly: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (12 Jul 2018)

James Reilly: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille seo. I am delighted to welcome this very good Bill. As the Minister said, it is technical, short and to the point. It comes about as a result of a court case. The IDA does not just do a good job; it does a great job. It is a jewel in the crown of the country and the envy of many other nations in its success rate in...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (12 Jul 2018)

James Reilly: Next Tuesday.