Results 4,701-4,720 of 5,914 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: To Terry's family, my deepest sympathies are with them. I did not know Terry like many of my colleagues in the House. I only met him in 2014 after a rather controversial by-election where I stole a Fine Gael seat. When I was moving into my office, Terry was one of the first people to come in and congratulate me. It was rather strange because I expected a bit of hostility and I found there...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: He met me and told me, "If I knew what was going to happen, there is no way that you and I would have ever had that conversation. The divil blast you anyway. I lost my seat to you." He was a generous man and a decent man. I will always remember his big, warm smile. He was a lovely man. I am sure the family's hearts are broken. May he rest in peace.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: When speaking about social welfare, it would be wrong to start without paying due respect to the staff in the Department. We have gone through two years of Covid and suddenly we are confronted with a Ukrainian crisis. The staff have performed exceptionally well. As for the Minister herself, she took on two Ministries and kept the ship floating in both the Departments of Justice and Social...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome both gentlemen to the House today. As my colleague said previously, Mr. O'Leary made aviation travel like jumping onto a bus. It is great to see. Back in the day we used to have to go on a boat. I went to England and many of the people I travelled with did not even speak English, but only spoke Irish. They were tough times. Mr. O'Leary has changed the world of aviation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I am showing my age.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I doubt if Mr. O'Leary was on it at the time I was. Mr. O'Leary is in aviation. How does he feel about the fact that our Department of Transport, which develops aviation policy, has been advised by the Air Accident Investigation Unit, AAIU, to have an aviator on its staff, and has ignored this advice or recommendation from the Air Accident Investigation Unit? As a company that flies in and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I do not believe it was recommending that the person would have safety expertise, but would have the expertise to talk to the IAA and to companies like Mr. O'Leary's. That is an important issue for me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I am delighted to hear that. Mr. O'Leary has spoken down through the years on the way we run this country, and particularly in the area of public procurement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Let us not try to shut me down here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Public procurement is something Mr. O'Leary has spoken on quite frequently, and it applies to the airline industry as well. I am a Member of these Houses. Mr. O'Leary comes in here and is questioned by all of my colleagues and he answers the questions. We frequently find that those who are in charge of public procurement will not appear before these committees and will not answer...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Do not worry, I will not stray anywhere. I am very clear as to where I am going. It is becoming a serious problem. Mr. O'Leary has spoken on national issues several times. It is becoming a serious problem that we cannot get decision-makers to come before committees in this House to answer questions in relation to how decisions were arrived at. This applies to projects such as the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Ryanair (30 Nov 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Many people here wish to ask questions. I thank Mr. O'Leary for his candour and I am delighted he mentioned the issue of consultants. We have consultants for everything in this country and we are spending millions on them. I am glad he highlighted the point as well as me. It is rare as a former trade union leader I would agree with Mr. O'Leary on much but, there you go, we agree on this.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Last Friday, a monument, if you could call it that, was unveiled in Custume Barracks in Athlone. The inscription on it read: "Honouring the unwavering support of the families of personnel of A Company 35 Infantry Battalion ONUC". Rarely have I seen anything that offended people to such a degree. Half of the families were not invited although I got an invitation. The Quinlans did not get...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 21. In page 9, after line 22, to insert the following: “Report by the Minister 19. The Minister shall within 12 months of passing this Act issue a report to the Oireachtas detailing how public representatives, people who belong to the Class K PRSI bracket or an equivalent bracket can receive social protection. The report should address issues related to the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister’s Department provides for voluntary contributions. If somebody comes in here on class S, the voluntary contribution is €500 per year. If they come in on class A, it is €5,000 per year. A person cannot opt to become a class S contributor when they come in here on a voluntary contribution. That is the first thing. Second, I am aware of a Deputy who lost...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister for her genuine response. There is a rapporteur's report on the issue in respect of county councillors which I will ask the committee to take on board. The report offers some insight into the historical background of the social protection system and benefits. The Minister has made an offer. We are right up against the wire for social protection and people are waiting...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Is Senator O'Reilly recruiting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Is the Minister’s Department answerable to the Oireachtas?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: Perhaps then the Minster will explain why its officials will not come to this committee. The Minister is here, but his officials will not come.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy: Minister for Transport and Minister of State at the Department of Transport (7 Dec 2022)

Gerard Craughwell: In the context of search and rescue.