Results 361-380 of 1,132 for speaker:Garret Ahearn

Seanad: Europe Day 2022: Statements (11 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I am thankful for the opportunity to speak in the debate. It is good that we are able to celebrate Europe Day and make statements on it. Ireland as a country is the perfect example of why the European Union is a success and we have benefitted on the back of that. It is important to acknowledge that if it were not for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil supporting this country in joining the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I agree with the Senator's comments. We had a very good discussion on Second Stage, and the Bill was supported throughout. The fact that there are no amendments underlines that assertion. I thank the Minister of State for his time.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: Last weekend, we in the Fine Gael Party had a very successful meeting in Tullamore in respect of agriculture and rural Ireland. Hundreds of people were there and wanted to give their views on what we, as a Government, could do to support them. It was a listening exercise for us. As a party, we have always prided ourselves on representing rural Ireland and farmers. Many people from my...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: Has the Cathaoirleach ever gone in there?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I acknowledge National Bike Week. I am from a county where we have two people who have won the green jersey in the Tour de France, Seán Kelly and, recently, Sam Bennett. We have been quite successful. I acknowledge the positive role cycling plays. I cycle quite a lot. I did a cycle around the peninsula of Dingle a couple of weeks ago and was not the better for it for a couple of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: The first phase of the redevelopment of Kickham Barracks in Clonmel is under way, in conjunction with the building of a sports hub just outside the town. This involves funding received in the context of the urban regeneration development fund and allocated by the then Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government several years ago. It is an exciting and significant project for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: Today marks three months since the start of the war in Ukraine. I want to first acknowledge the Cathaoirleach for visiting Kyiv last week, along with the Ceann Comhairle, and for showing the solidarity that we as a country should show Ukraine.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: He met with President Zelenskyy and with the Prime Minister. There is a worrying trend within the European Union in the conversation of where the war is going in Ukraine by putting pressure on Ukraine to negotiate with Putin. The Cathaoirleach was there last week. He knows that Ukraine is winning this war. Russia is retreating. Now is not the time to be asking Ukraine to negotiate with...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I almost knocked down one or two of our guests when I was racing to the Chamber too but they kindly left me a gap. I welcome the kids from Longford and acknowledge their local Senator and the work he does for education in this House. It is timely because my question relates to my own primary school in Grange. I would like a debate with the Minister for Education. Schools around the...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Payment of Interns) Bill 2022: Second Stage (25 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister of State. I thank Senator Sherlock and the Labour Party for tabling this Bill. It is important to have a good discussion about it. It comes at the right time to increase workers' protections and rights. As most of us who are on the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment know, the Tánaiste and Minister of State are progressing much legislation to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 May 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach very much. I welcome Senator Carrigy’s class here today. It is a very proud thing to have one’s own primary school come to visit Seanad Éireann. Senator Carrigy does a great deal of work for and on education in this Chamber and when he talks about it, he is thinking about the school in Ballinalee. I thank my colleagues for acknowledging...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I join previous speakers in offering my condolences to former Senator Mary Jackman's family. She was a very distinguished public representative for many years. This is a very tough time for her family. Not many people will know that Mary Jackman was originally from Tipperary and was a member of the Furlong family from the Cappagh White area. I pass on my condolences to them. She was a...

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I am sharing time with Senator O'Reilly.

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute. I had a busy morning and have only just come back on time, as I wanted to make a contribution on this important matter, which affects many people in Tipperary. We have many beekeepers in the county and Clonmel is the home of honey. It is an important sector for us. I acknowledge the work that the Minister of State has done on this matter...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (14 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: There is a phrase used quite often in Ukrainian politics that states this is not how they normally do things. This is not how we normally do things and this is not how this normally comes about. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing it to happen. I thank Ms Bridget Doody, the Seanad team and Ms Sheila Ryan in protocol. How this came about was unusual and I acknowledge on the record what...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome to the Gallery the Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Councillor Marie Murphy. I thank the Tánaiste for bringing the Bill before the House. At the end of his contribution, he said some people will think we have not gone far enough and other will say we have gone too far. What everyone agrees on is that this Bill is needed. As a committee, we had countless...

Seanad: Cost of Living: Motion (15 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: The Minister is very welcome. I will put this in a way that the people who are in the squeezed middle have been described to me recently, namely, those who feel that they have to pay for everything and have nothing left. They have their monthly income. They then have their mortgage and childcare - which amounts to a second mortgage - to pay for. As a result of what has happened in the...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Built Heritage Protection) Bill 2022: Second Stage (16 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I acknowledge the role of the Cathaoirleach in Senator Norris's portrait being displayed in Leinster House. It is very fitting. I was going to say it is long overdue. It is not long overdue but it is certainly very fitting that it has been done. It is well deserved given Senator Norris's time, service and dedication to the public over a long period of time. As someone who is a relatively...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: Before I start, I wish to welcome my colleague, Senator Maria Byrne, and her guests, Phyllis Quinn and Elenora Corneille. We are glad to have them.

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister for coming today. My colleague, Senator Joe O’Reilly, who is the spokesperson on foreign affairs and defence could not be here, so I am covering for him. As the Minister said, this is a technical Bill but, essentially, it is quite simple as well. All we are trying to do is have the military and the Defence Forces be in line with what An Garda Síochána...