Results 281-300 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I concur with what my colleague Senator Norris said. I have been before the Labour Court and rights commissioners on many occasions and while I respect that individuals have a right to choose whomever they want to represent them, we have a responsibility to ensure that it is a competent person. I will be accused again of supporting the creation of a nanny state. I have seen too many...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The matter is self-explanatory and I concur with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I accept the Minister's comments and there is no doubt eminent legal professionals and public servants will apply for these jobs. There is a huge difference, however, between being suitably qualified and having the experience to run the position. Employment cases and employment law can be extremely difficult and specialism is required, which can only be gained through experience. I will...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: If I am fishing for sharks, I would rather fish where the sharks are rather than bother myself with salmon and the like.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I find myself in total agreement with my colleague, Senator Cullinane. I have been involved in workplace relations committees from local branch level through to national level, and the level of ignorance with respect to knowledge of employees' rights is unbelievable. What Senator Cullinane is asking for here, and I look forward to him tabling an amendment on Report Stage, is basic...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I support Senator Quinn's amendments, which many may find a little surprising. I agree wholeheartedly with what he said. I have, however, one caveat which, if these amendments are accepted, I will address by way of amendment on Report Stage - namely, that where a copy of a document is taken it be certified as a true copy of the original document. I do not want to see a situation whereby a...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 42: In page 26, line 35, to delete "shall not" and substitute "made to the Inspector after receiving a caution shall".

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I wish to refer to amendment No. 42.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I will not do so at this time.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The proposed amendment mentions evidence made to the inspector "after receiving a caution". There is a proviso. Is the constitutional provision met by this?

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: We sought to remove the phrase "shall not" and substitute the phrase "made to the Inspector after receiving a caution shall".

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I do not wish to delay the Minister. Does he wish to gather information without compelling somebody in doing so? If we use the word "caution", are people compelled to answer, which may damage the collection of evidence?

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I support Senator Cullinane's request to reduce the period from 42 days to 28 days. It never ceases to amaze me that we provide such latitude to organisations that have all the resources in the world available to them to prepare documentation. A period of 28 days is an ample amount of time for an employer to put together any documentation required. A period of 42 days is excessive and not...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: They have a lot more than their employees.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I join with colleagues in welcoming the news from Apple that it is to set up a new facility in Athenry not too far from the village of Craughwell in Galway - a well-named village. I am sure that the new impetus in the quest to drive industry to the west is in no way attributable to my colleagues, the Independent Deputies from that area. I am sure the Government side will forgive me for...

Seanad: Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Second Stage (24 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I am one of the few Members of this House who worked in a Magdalen laundry. As the son of a gas fitter, I frequently visited the Magdalen laundries in Galway to repair water heating systems. I have two abiding memories from that time. One is of the oppressive heat in the laundries. The second is of the silence among, in some cases, beautiful young women. Nobody spoke to us. We just went...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I join everyone else in congratulating the Ireland cricket team. It is a great day for the country. I wish to raise concerns regarding plans to reduce the number of firefighters by one or two per fire appliance.Members of our fire service place themselves in peril daily to serve the needs of their communities. Reducing the numbers on fire appliances places communities and the firemen...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Can the Minister come into the House?

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Amendment No. 55 is similar to the one moved by Senator Reilly, which I support. A fine of €2,000 is hardly likely to deter an employer from paying less than the national minimum wage. If the fine was set at €20,000 per employee, it could amount to a fairly substantial sum if an employer was underpaying several staff. That would be a deterrent. Social welfare transfers are...