Results 201-220 of 1,416 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit inniu. He is very welcome to the House this afternoon to discuss this very important issue. I am heartened by his comments and his commonsense approach to this issue. We are all at one in singing the praises of this scheme. That is taken as a given. The merits of the scheme are well known. Unfortunately, there are issues with...

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Ba mhaith liom ar dtús fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Mitchell O'Connor, go dtí an Teach seo inniu. I would also like to extend a welcome to guests in the Visitors Gallery. We are all in agreement on the merits and advantages of a properly-funded third level education system. There is no doubt that we have enhanced our reputation worldwide through the...

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: In fairness, Senator Norris would be well qualified to make a comment on that particular subject, based on his contributions in this House.

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: The larger the audience in the Visitors Gallery, the longer the contribution from the Senator.

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Indeed, he has. I have to commend him on that. His contributions were shorter but, yes, he has spoken.

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Gabh mo leithscéal. The one thing on which we are all in agreement is access. It is vital that whatever decision both Houses of the Oireachtas arrive at on this issue, the key point in all our minds should be that it allows access to third level education to the maximum number of people possible.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I raise the issue of class sizes in primary schools. The Department of Education and Skills recently launched a report, which gives a school-by-school breakdown of class sizes for the 2016-2017 academic year, and it makes for grim reading. A total of 120,000 primary school children are in classes of more than 30. On average, almost one in four primary pupils is in a class of more than 30....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Defence Forces Personnel Data (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State. I congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well. As he is undoubtedly aware, even though this matter is not his particular area, the Defence Forces are faced with many challenges. One regularly hears about low morale, the recruitment and retention of staff and low pay. It is sad that many members of the Defence Forces must avail of family income...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Defence Forces Personnel Data (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I understand that this is not the brief of the Minister of State but thank him for his contribution. I am sure he appreciates that the matter needs to be addressed and I would welcome any measures on the part of the Minister for Defence to move it forward for the benefit of all.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I wish to mention the issue raised yesterday by members of the Garda Representative Association, GRA, who called on the Government to roll out the deployment of body-worn cameras for members of the Garda Síochána. It is a great initiative that would bring transparency for those behind the camera as well as those in front of it. It is widely used across Europe with very positive...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I join other Members in commending Senator Lawless on bringing forward this sensible legislation. I compliment him on his contribution in the House to date. Like many other Senators, he is new to the House but he is leaving his mark and the Bill is one example of that. When the prohibition was first introduced, the concept of drinking alcohol at home was a non-entity because no-one ever...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Hear hear.

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Road Network (20 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber and thank him for his attendance. I join members of Monaghan County Council in highlighting a stretch of roadway on the main N2, which is the Dublin to Derry road. It is a stretch of 47 km from Clontibret in County Monaghan to Ardee in County Louth. Monaghan County Council recently commissioned a report from a firm of consultants on the safety aspects...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Road Network (20 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister for his response. I am disappointed that no funding has been allocated at this point. I would stress upon the Minister again that consideration would be given to national roads, particularly those such as this that have a high percentage of fatalities. Perhaps that point could be considered when funding is being allocated.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Senator Wilson just asked me to add the name of John Carty to the list of deceased Members. I would like to raise two issues, one of which relates to the fair deal scheme and the negative effect it is having on the farming community. The IFA, among others, has voiced concerns about the lack of a cap on the debt that can be incurred to the State while a loved one is in a nursing home. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I join others in congratulating all involved in the presentation of this magnificent building. I wish to address the lack of inhalers in our schools. In October 2015, the then Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, signed regulations that would allow for prescription-only medicines, including asthma-relieving salbutamol, to be administered by trained personnel in an emergency. Today, as our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Breaches of Fire Safety Standards: Discussion (26 Sep 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I will hold off for the moment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Breaches of Fire Safety Standards: Discussion (26 Sep 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I apologise for being late and ask for forgiveness if I cover old ground. A number of questions spring to mind. How many schools are involved? Perhaps an audit has been carried out in that regard. Whenever a building is handed over, even a basic dwelling house, someone has to sign off somewhere along the line to confirm that it has been built according to planning and building...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Members' Remuneration (27 Sep 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. It is disappointing in many ways that we are back here discussing this same issue despite, as my colleague, Senator Davitt, outlined, the promise that was made about its resolution. I am sure the Minister of State will agree we are fortunate to have so many hard-working local authority members throughout the country. The problem is due...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I would like to raise the issue of the report from the review group set up to examine the issues around granting access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court to representative bodies of members of An Garda Síochána - both the Garda Representative Association, GRA, and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, AGSI. I echo their calls this morning...