Results 421-440 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Medical Eligibility Criteria for Social Protection Payments: Discussion (29 Apr 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Very few of them would read what are the doctor's instructions. A sum of €18 million to €20 million is a lot of money to be paying out.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I note the situation regarding English language colleges. I had the pleasure of visiting China in 2000 as the guest of a general in the Chinese army. We were held in high esteem as educators, but what is going on in these private colleges will destroy our international reputation. I, therefore, support calls for an urgent debate on the matter. The second issue I wish to raise is the...

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: We will organise a course for the Senators.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: A wonderful body.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I will be as brief as I can. I have been waiting since the start of the debate.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: As this happens to me all the time, I ask the Leas-Chathaoirleach to allow me to contribute, if he does not mind. I welcome the three former Senators. I am in awe of three such distinguished persons and delighted with the report they have produced. However, my heart sank while listening to much of the debate. Given that I believe I was the first independent Senator ever to be elected to a...

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Leas-Chathaoirleach might let me finish, if he would not mind. How wonderful it would be to have real engagement-----

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I will finish, if the Leas-Chathaoirleach would not mind. I am the new kid on the block. I think I bring in a new-----

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I appreciate that.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Leas-Chathaoirleach allowed others to go over time.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Let me then finish with a few points which were brought to me by councillors.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: There is a concern about the cost of an individual circulating electioneering material to such a wide electorate. There is some disappointment that there is not a more equal distribution of the indirect and direct election of Seanad Members. I refer, for example, to the inside and outside panels where there was a desire that these would be equalled. There is some concern-----

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: These are my last two points. There is some concern that we would ring-fence the Trinity College seats because of our brothers in the North. Finally, there is a request that the closing date for Seanad nominations would be the same as that for the Dáil. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and appreciate the time.

Seanad: Appointment of Receivers: Motion (6 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I second the motion. As Senator Rónán Mullen said, we are talking about ordinary, decent, hard-working people who find themselves in severe debt. Members of the Government have held their heads low having inherited the problem of guaranteed bank loans. They have waited until the financial crisis has passed or, at least, have given the impression that it has passed to act and now...

Seanad: Appointment of Receivers: Motion (6 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: What about short-term proposals? We need those.

Seanad: Appointment of Receivers: Motion (6 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Appointment of Receivers: Motion (6 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: They are now.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. When I was elected, I said I would give credit where it was due and would not oppose for the sake of opposition. Some 95,000 jobs is quite an achievement, as is economic growth at 4% plus and declining unemployment. I do not want to rain on the Minister of State's parade but, as Senator Barrett said some time ago, let us have cash in the till...

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I will take an extra minute for every time the Senator speaks.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Let us start putting the money into services and restore them to a 21st century level. When the Minister of State comes to deal with employment issues, he has to do away with zero-hour contracts at the lower end of the employment scale. He must see to it that employers will engage in collective bargaining. We cannot continue to have situations like what is going on between Mandate and...