Results 3,801-3,820 of 5,914 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (31 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister mentioned my former colleagues in the Defence Forces a number of times in his speech. I record my deep appreciation to the Army and Naval Service for the work they did on the ground in building test centres, being prepared to meet people or have centres ready for them, and to our Air Corps which flew tests to Germany and vaccines to the islands. My one regret in all of that -...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Reports (1 Jun 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to the House. I have been asked to bring this matter to his attention by Councillor Paddy McQuillan of Louth County Council. As the Minister of State knows, in 2020 Mr. Vivian Geiran carried out a scoping exercise in Drogheda as a direct result of the gang feud that had terrorised the town. He spoke to all relevant agencies and bodies...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Reports (1 Jun 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister of State for his response. In a town like Drogheda, or indeed in any town or city in Ireland where such problems are identified, immediate action is what the citizens must see. They must see action on the ground. I appreciate the Minister of State has outlined a number of engagements that are taking place but real action must be seen publicly to be taking place....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I compliment the Cathaoirleach on his forensic knowledge of important dates relating to countries throughout Europe. His mastery of European languages is awe-inspiring to be honest. The Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021, which came before the House yesterday, brought into sharp focus something that has bothered me for a considerable period, which is the nonsense of Irish neutrality. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: 2016 Peace Agreement in Colombia: Discussion (1 Jun 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The ambassador is very welcome and I thank her for addressing the committee and taking the questions we may have. Not unlike part of my country, emerging from a stage of conflict is never easy. The old wounds die hard. As people try to cope with the injustice of the past, there will be many opportunities to fall on the path to full peace and reconciliation. It is not so much that I have...

Seanad: Right to Housing: Motion (4 Jun 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I congratulate Senator Fitzpatrick for bringing this motion forward. Her constant speeches on housing and homelessness are to be commended. However, unlike most of my colleagues here, I do not support a constitutional referendum on housing. It is a nonsense and a complete waste of time. Senator McGahon in his address a few moments ago brought us down to the street to the ordinary...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces: Discussion with Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: Like my colleagues, I extend my sympathies to the Bright family. The time, 6 a.m., must be very tough on Mr. Martin Bright. My heart goes out to him and the family. I ask that Mr. Guinan pass on my message to Mr. Bright.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces: Discussion with Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I want to start with the Naval Service. The president, Mr. Keane, spoke about the two-tier service. At the weekend, the Irish Examinercarried a story about Tadhg McCarthy who had left the Naval Service after 24 years. He was an engine room artificer. In some ways, the story was very sad. Here we have a guy who loved the job he was in but left because as the numbers fall, the work...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces: Discussion with Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The issue of a seconded position in regard to the medical assistance scheme was mentioned. Does Mr. Guinan foresee a need in that regard as the medical assistance scheme grows?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Chair. Based on what is being said today, I would be interested in Mr. Larkin's, Dr. Byrne's and Mr. Walsh’s comments on Ireland’s significant lack of a security culture and awareness. It may well be based on an insular and naive belief in goodness and the lack of interest in security and defence issues. The lack of interest leads on to an ostrich-type smugness,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: Apologies, am I back online now?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Chair. The head of the HSE is paid €420,000 so the €290,000, which Ms Carolan is suggesting, is not extraordinary by any means. However, it is Ms Carolan’s view that we in the public sector have to compete with the private sector for the people we are looking for. We do not pay bonuses in public sector. Does this mean that the base salary will have to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister of State for joining us today. I am aware that he has plenty of other things to be doing at this time. I stated yesterday that Ireland lacks security awareness and a culture of security. It may well be based on some sort of belief in the goodness of people, which, I might say, is misguided. Does the Minister of State believe that we should increase the budget for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I am sorry that the Minister of State is being dragged through this again. There is no need for me to go over my questions again. The Minister of State was doing a good job in responding to them. I am a little concerned about the Minister of State's point that we are not at war. Even if they are criminals, I do think that we are at war with them. We must be proactive as well as reactive...

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

Gerard Craughwell: I have spoken many times in recent months on the issue of search and rescue operations in Ireland, particularly in the context of the forthcoming contract. The contract that is about to expire has cost this State over €640 million. That contract has many flaws. I sought to have the forthcoming tender scrutinised by the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications but that has not...

Seanad: Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2021: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is rather ironic that we are sitting in this House with female Members discussing the gender pay gap in the most unfriendly female workspace in the country. The furore we had when the Minister for Justice was pregnant and seeking maternity leave was outrageous as was that this should happen in a modern society. November 9 has been mentioned today as...

Seanad: Public Service Pay Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister of State is welcome to the House. I welcome in particular the unwinding of the financial emergency measures in the public interest. I was heavily involved in trade unionism at the time the FEMPI legislation was running through. I remember in particular the pain we inflicted on our public servants in the draconian way in which we cut their salaries.There were public servants...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (18 Jun 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I support the amendment.It is a novel idea that would work well in addressing the housing needs of the Defence Forces. I do not know whether the Minister has visited the Curragh recently, but I went there to look at what used to be married quarters. I found in a dilapidated state what had been pristine properties when they were handed over to the State when we became a republic. There is a...