Results 221-240 of 1,608 for speaker:Micheál Carrigy

Seanad: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Statements (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I will share time with Senators Lombard and Conway. I will be parochial and get straight to the point on the national development plan. I come from Longford and I have two major areas of concern with the NDP. It commits to a funding ratio of 2:1 for public transport versus road projects, which means there will be significantly less funding for roads projects over the next number of years....

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Health): Statements (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister. Before coming here to speak, I printed off a copy of the Covid restrictions and the new measures being introduced. Reading through the list, I saw that the vast majority of our society is open. Quite limited measures have been put in place. As Senator Buttimer said, much hysteria has been driven by certain groups, factions and political parties. They are causing...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I do not agree with Senator Craughwell's comments about the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney. He has been an excellent Minister across any Department he was in. I have every confidence he will deal with the challenges ahead. I wish to speak to the just transition and the Premier Lakelands Food Hub in Longford. I am delighted Enterprise Ireland support the change in the plan to develop a...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Education): Statements (2 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister and acknowledge the work she has done since she came into her role. I acknowledge also her staff and the role of all teachers in our schools, whether primary, post-primary or third level, for the work they have done over the past 12 months. It is very important our kids are in school. My wife, Una, is a primary school teacher and I have three kids who are all in...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for outlining the Bill. Our job here, as public representatives, is to make decisions that protect citizens and make a better life for anyone who lives in this country. That is what I feel we have to do here today. However, it is important that legislation is balanced in terms of all citizens. As Senator Gavan has said, it is important that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (7 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I have spoken many times in this Chamber since being elected regarding how seriously Longford in particular has been affected by the closures of operations at Mountdillon and Lough Ree power stations in Lanesborough. This has had a significant affect on families who worked there and the local businesses. As I have said previously, the shortfall in rates has been made up and I am glad that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (7 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: Senator Murphy has outlined the case. I want to highlight that the contract for a just transition commissioner is due to end shortly. Kieran Mulvey is well known to us and for the work he has done. He is very well experienced in this role and knows the communities and people involved. I ask the Department to reappoint him for a further two years. As I have said, he knows the communities...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I wish to raise an issue that was actually raised in a Commencement matter earlier by Senators Malcolm Byrne and Cummins. It is about supports for the pantomime and theatre industry following the announcement on Friday. A significant number of these groups are already booked out for the Christmas period and into January. A concert organised by Longford County Council under the live and...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Tánaiste and I will read a short excerpt from his introduction. He said: Since the outbreak of Covid-19 here in March 2020, the Government has sought to save as many lives and as many livelihoods as possible. ... We have sought to keep workers connected to their employers and on the payroll. We have sought to help businesses survive through a robust and sustained...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing the Broadcasting Sector as a Result of Covid-19: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I thank the witnesses for their involvement in local and community radio and for the service they have provided over the last 18 months. The figures were given by Mr. Purcell of the increase in listenership, and that is due to the fact that it is a trusted media source, and it is important that it is maintained. A couple of colleagues and I had numerous meetings with the local media - local...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing the Broadcasting Sector as a Result of Covid-19: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I second that.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing the Broadcasting Sector as a Result of Covid-19: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I mentioned trusted content in the local media sector earlier, and I would like to pay tribute to my own local stations, Shannonside FM, Midlands Radio 3, and Athlone Community Radio, all three of which I deal with on a regular basis. I compliment them on their trusted content. We recently met with Google regarding the issue of online platforms paying for that trusted content. It is my...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing the Broadcasting Sector as a Result of Covid-19: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: From both parties. That is something that needs to be highlighted. There is a need to move and make agreements across all sectors of media that are providing that trusted content.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: Unfortunately, we do not have any all-stars this year from Longford, but we will be back. I concur with Senator Ward's comments on smoking and I support his call for a debate on it. It is a fantastic idea. The Taoiseach, when Minister for Health, introduced the smoking ban 17 years ago. We thought it would not work, but it did. As Senator Ward was speaking, I jotted down 10.20 a.m. on...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: A Safe and Respectful Working Environment in the Arts: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: Apologies for being late; I had another meeting. I welcome the witnesses. I was not aware of the issues, to be quite honest. They are not acceptable and such crimes need to be punished. The duty is on the State and us as legislators to make sure that happens, that we support people like the witnesses, and that we put whatever resources need to be put in place to ensure this does not...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: A Safe and Respectful Working Environment in the Arts: Discussion (17 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: Where do the witnesses see this independent body sitting? The Arts Council covers the entire arts sector but would this sit within the Department?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: Older people in Ireland may have no choice but to move out of their own homes because they cannot access the care and support services they need to live independently. That is a big statement but it is definitely true. I am receiving calls on a daily basis from families who have been approved for home care support hours but for whom the HSE has been unable to provide staff to carry out the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: Senator Higgins made a few comments. The reality is that in the early 2010s we were precluded from purchasing houses and leasing was the most cost-effective way to provide them at the time. For us to develop or build housing, we need investors and we need people to develop it. It is the same in Longford as it is in Wicklow. It is a mixture of local authority housing plus private...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I want to repeat what I said five minutes ago and I would love to hear a comment from a Sinn Féin representative on it. The fact is that between 2016 and 2021 Fine Gael delivered more houses in the programme for Government than was in the Sinn Féin proposal prior to the 2016 election. What answer does Sinn Féin give to that? We exceeded the proposals Sinn Féin put in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I echo the comments of Senator O'Loughlin and thank everybody here, including the Cathaoirleach, Martin Groves, Bridget Doody, all the staff, the ushers and everyone who works here and in the background in Leinster House for the support they have given me and to Senators and Deputies. I wish everyone a healthy and happy Christmas. We look forward to a more positive 2022 after what has been...