Results 381-400 of 4,396 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Seanad: Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (22 Jan 2019)

Neale Richmond: I warmly welcome the Tánaiste to the House, who is a frequent visitor, and thank him for his remarks. As ever, they were very clear and give us a good idea of the position. They might cause a few people to pivot on their prepared scripts, but so be it. I commend the Government on the preparation made so far in dealing with all the possible consequences of Brexit. We should bear in...

Seanad: Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (22 Jan 2019)

Neale Richmond: A Brexit will be bad for this island, the UK and the EU, regardless of whether there is a soft, hard, medium rare or no-deal Brexit crash out scenario. If I hear the phrase "managed no deal" one more time, I think I will go blue in the face. There is no such thing as a managed no deal. It is an absolute worst case scenario about which everything is being done on both the European and the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Feb 2019)

Neale Richmond: I listened with interest to the Commencement debate earlier.A pertinent matter was raised by Senator Warfield on passport applications for children of same-sex couples abroad. It was very important and I really hope that issue can be resolved. It led me to the idea that we really need a debate in the House on the passport system and the future of the passport system for a couple of other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the UK from the EU on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (14 Feb 2019)

Neale Richmond: I am grateful for this comprehensive overview. The Working Group of Committee Chairmen had another comprehensive briefing yesterday. I definitely sense full support from all committee Chairs in all parties to get this through in time. Deputy Cullinane is right to remark on the unity in the Irish political process, but we cannot leave out the clear unity in the European political process....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Early Years Sector (19 Feb 2019)

Neale Richmond: I am delighted to welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Phelan, to the House. I appreciate his taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone. As every parent knows, the early years of a child's life are of great importance in ensuring the child reaches his or her full...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Early Years Sector (19 Feb 2019)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Minister of State for his reply and I agree with much of what he said about this issue, which I am very passionate about. Every new parent should be given the same basic start and opportunity for the new life they are bringing into the world. I am not necessarily the best parent. I had many privileges when I had the opportunity to help, support and pretend to pay attention to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (20 Feb 2019)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Chairman. I will try to make the 45 minutes he has allowed solely to me to suffice.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (20 Feb 2019)

Neale Richmond: I will try to keep my remarks to specific questions with minimal commentary. In regard to the multi-annual financial framework I would like to raise the timelines the Minister of State has laid out for Council adoption. Is this in order or is it a little bit shorter than it usually is due to obvious concerns facing the Union at the moment? What are the timelines laid out for the European...

Seanad: Diaspora Affairs: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, to the House again for a debate on a key issue. I am fortunate to speak here this afternoon but, unfortunately, our foreign affairs spokesperson, Senator Joe O'Reilly, is overseas in his very important role as Vice President of the Council of Europe. We are coming up to the annual St. Patrick's Day, or perhaps more correctly it is the St....

Seanad: Diaspora Affairs: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: That is very important and we need to recognise it as we face changing times. The Seanad provides a unique opportunity. Now that we have decided to retain the Seanad it is something we should invest time in developing and embrace it. Senator O’Sullivan referred to the diaspora in the United Kingdom, the estimated 2 million Irish citizens who reside in the island of Great Britain, and...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: It is a curse.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: It is customary to welcome a Minister to the House but, for once, I am disappointed to see the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee. That is nothing personal. It is simply because while this legislation is necessary and while I welcome it, it is so utterly bad and disappointing that we have come to this stage that I struggle for once to welcome her. I hope she does not take it personally....

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: I am not necessarily saying it is pointless. This is the whole argument.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: Senator Ned O'Sullivan rightly credits Deputy Micheál Martin with some very impressive decisions and I acknowledge his very important and welcome contribution to the debate.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: However, I must question whether it was appropriate for one of Senator Ned O'Sullivan's colleagues to go out this morning and question something without any legal basis, namely, the agreement made last night or to make light of a picture outside a rugby match at this most serious time in the Brexit debate. What was the relevance of that? Perhaps the Senator will provide that in due course.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: With regard to Senator McDowell's comments, I do not know what the obvious next steps are and I doubt that anybody does. The person who really does not know what they are is Theresa May, nor do any members of her Government or any of the Members of Parliament in Westminster. I could probably spend 45 minutes discussing what might happen later today or tomorrow, whether they will vote...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: Contingency planning is very different from management.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: I am not sure how the review of Brexit business supports ties into the actions of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the Dáil. There are a couple of things in amendments Nos. 15 and 28 which are slightly ideological in nature, which was reflected in the tone of Senator Conway-Walsh, but I appreciate where she is coming from and that we ultimately have different approaches...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Motion for Earlier Signature (13 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: I commend the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and all Ministers on the passage of this Bill and one their sterling efforts in this House this week and in the other House in the previous fortnight. I particularly mention the legion of departmental officials and diplomats from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and...

Seanad: Civil Liability (Capping of General Damages Bill) 2019: Second Stage (28 Mar 2019)

Neale Richmond: Hear, hear.