Results 241-260 of 1,416 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I, too, will be brief. It is not often that I am afforded the opportunity to compliment and acknowledge positive contributions from the benches opposite, particularly from those on the Government benches. I am glad to report tonight an exception to the rule.

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: If I may without interruption, I will compliment the contribution of Senator Paudie Coffey who hit the nail on the head. This is a complex issue. On a global point, when we drill down to this section it is important that we do not lose sight of the fact that in many ways we are discussing the symptoms of a problem without discussing the problem itself. However, I think common sense will...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I agree fully with Senator Craughwell's comments on local authority members and the Fianna Fáil group had a Commencement debate on the issue some time ago. The Minister said clearly that he would have an announcement by Hallowe'en and I am disappointed the date has passed without any announcement. I am sure the Leader will deal with it. The national planning framework maps out the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (14 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach tráthnóna inniu. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan. He is very welcome to the House. I thank him for his presence. I wish to raise with him the Milltown group sewerage scheme which is located outside Monaghan town. I raised the issue with his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (14 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his response to the question. I stress again the importance of an announcement early in the new year to facilitate the residents in going ahead with the works involved.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (14 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: It is on the outskirts of Monaghan town. The Minister of State mentioned at the outset that the Department would be considering new proposals in assessing how the scheme has worked to date.I ask again that he take into consideration that the responsibilities local communities must undertake and submit in the application in order to qualify are quite onerous. That is something that needs to...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Along with other Members of the House, I attended a presentation in the AV Room this morning which was organised by Deputy Stephen Donnelly. It was given by David Hall of iCare Housing. I compliment Mr. Hall on his presentation. I know the Cathaoirleach also attended. For those who are not aware, iCare is an organisation which was set up to help those who find themselves in mortgage...

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (16 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I also welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss this very important issue. My initial thought on what has been presented to use is that it is very disappointing. I will go as far as to say it is insulting to the hard-working local authority members - male and female - who serve their communities so well throughout the country. This...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I wish to raise the issue of Cavan general hospital and the potential threat that hangs over it as a result of the report of the trauma steering group. That report was commissioned by the then Minister for Health and current Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar. It recommends that major trauma be transferred from smaller hospitals such as Cavan general hospital to major centres in Dublin and Cork....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Curriculum Reform: Discussion (21 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the delegates and thank them all for their contributions. We are all agreed that the leaving certificate needs reform. If we learned anything from this afternoon's contributions, it is the scale of the task involved. Ms Ní Chonghaile mentioned the stress of the examination itself, as did others. In many cases, people have nightmares when they think about their examinations...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I wish to raise the issue of CCTV systems. In April, the Minister for Justice and Equality launched a community-based CCTV system to help secure communities and assist the Garda in its work. Under the scheme, community groups can avail of a grant of up to 60% of the total cost up to a maximum of €40,000. I am very disappointed to learn that only six applications were made in the...

Seanad: Student Universal Support Ireland: Statements (23 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State. The concluding statement from the SUSI group sums up what it is looking for.Wake-up SUSI is looking for equality of treatment for students from low-income and single-parent families who want to attend the higher education college of their choice. They want fairness for all. That basically sums up why we are here this afternoon and what we are attempting to...

Seanad: Student Universal Support Ireland: Statements (23 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: -----that apprenticeships be promoted more because we will need plumbers and electricians more than ever. More also needs to be done in relation in this regard. In conclusion, I thank the Minister of State for her presence. I again compliment the work of the SUSI group and in the interests of everyone involved, the recommendations they have put before us here today should be investigated...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I too would like to be associated with the remarks in respect of Denis Landy. I wish him good health and happiness to himself and his family, whatever he chooses to do from here on. I raise the issue of road safety. In 2016, 188 people lost their lives on Irish roads. We can all imagine the pain and suffering those families are going through. One interesting statistic is that for every...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Is Senator McDowell back in government again?

Seanad: Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (29 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit agus fosta roimh mhuintir Charraig Mhachaire Rois atá anseo inniu. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, to the Chamber. I also welcome the delegation from Monaghan. I wish in particular to mention the three councillors from the Carrickmacross and...

Seanad: Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (29 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank sincerely the Minister of State for his comments and all the Senators who have contributed to this debate. There is much talk nowadays about new politics. This is an example of good politics. This is a good idea that is shared by all political classes and people are rowing in behind it. Legislation can address an issue that has been hanging over not just Carrickmacross but many...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I, too, would like to be associated with the remarks about Senator Norris. Like other Members, I have only known him since I was elected to the House some 18 months ago. I have enjoyed his contributions. He is very witty. Of his many qualities, I mention his light-hearted attitude to life and everything he does. We could all learn from it. While I am on my feet and contemplating the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I join my constituency colleague, Senator Joe O'Reilly, in his forward pass in respect of the Cavan Rugby Club choir, to use the words of the Cathaoirleach. I welcome them to the Oireachtas. It is an historic day for them. I have no doubt that they will enjoy the occasion and that members will enjoy their singing this evening. It is with great disappointment that I learned of the...

Seanad: Department of Rural and Community Development: Statements (5 Dec 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: The Minister, Deputy Ring, is very welcome and I thank him for his presence in the House. I congratulate him and wish him well in his new role. What does hearten me is that the Minister is a man born from the roots of rural Ireland. That does give me some confidence that he does understand the plight of rural Ireland and the pressures and strains that rural Ireland currently is going...