Results 4,801-4,820 of 5,914 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Teacher Supply and School Places: Statements (15 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: It is the teaching profession.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Aviation Policy (Resumed): Regional Airports (15 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I live in Dublin and fly from here, but I wish I flew from Shannon, Cork or one of the other regional airports. The presentations were impressive and some of the most positive I have seen at this committee. My colleagues are from the regions and have more pertinent questions to ask, but I support everything for which the witnesses are looking. I have seen Shannon and Cork. I will see the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ukraine War: Ambassadors of Ukraine and Moldova (21 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: The ambassador and her team are more than welcome. I thank them for a most comprehensive report. I will begin with a positive and take time to congratulate Ukraine on its ability to develop a mobile phone application that allows its citizens to engage with Government and Government services in the middle of a war. It is an incredible feat of bravery and tenacity by the ambassador's people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Sector Pensions (21 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. He will be aware that I have spoken on issues relating to my electorate, county councillors, for many years.I am delighted to see some of them present in the Public Gallery having travelled all the way from Donegal over the mica issue. It is something we have to take on board. It is not for the good of their health that these people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Sector Pensions (21 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I came in here with some degree of hope. I am going out more depressed than I came in. We are creating a dangerous precedent. The public service has always been based on the fact that when staff come to retire, they get a lump sum based on current salary. I am mindful of my career, where I started work as a private soldier and will finish on the single pension scheme as a teacher. At the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: That was excellent timing; I thank the Cathaoirleach. This week, we learned again of an assault on gardaí. We are in a situation where the uniformed services are falling apart. Seven or eight years ago, I started talking about the problems in the Defence Forces. It took six years to get a commission in place and we are still waiting to see its output. The strength of the Defence...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Private Seán Rooney gave his life in the service of peace. Immediately after that, the following appeared in a newspaper: Sure, what do you do at work? What does a soldier do? Why do we even need an Army? What it means to be an Irish soldier has been shown today by a 23-year-old lad from Dundalk, when he stood up and, in typical military style, joined the stand taken by his father...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I appreciate that but this is important. Private Seán Rooney gave his life in the service of peace and we are watching our Defence Forces collapse around us.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: The numbers are under 8,000 now.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I appreciate that.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Well said.

Seanad: Rail Network: Statements (23 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I am sorry that I missed the opening part of the Minister’s presentation. I was down with the Ukrainian, but as I came through the door I thought “what a breath of fresh air”. He is speaking the language that I want to hear. I know that we differ on other things but not on this. I have longed for the day that I can get on a train in Dublin and change to a train that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2022: Minister for Transport (22 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister is welcome to the committee. To follow on from my colleague, the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, the issue of oversight is something that causes me great concern, particularly when we are talking about accidents in the maritime space. I recently engaged with the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, on the accident that cost Catriona Lucas her life. A file was prepared for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2022: Minister for Transport (22 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Would it not suggest there was something seriously wrong if the HSA felt it within its gift to pass something to the DPP?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2022: Minister for Transport (22 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I am not questioning that. The DPP made her decision on the basis that she has to bring a case to trial she thinks she can win. I know anecdotally from the area that, for example, the aircrew involved in the rescue of Ms Lucas were not interviewed by the accident investigation board. If there are others who were not interviewed, and I understand there are, then perhaps the DPP did not have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2022: Minister for Transport (22 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I fully appreciate that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2022: Minister for Transport (22 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: There is no ongoing legal process.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2022: Minister for Transport (22 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: It is worrying. It is a situation where an investigation has taken place and where key witnesses were not interviewed. The Minister should be concerned about that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2022: Minister for Transport (22 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: That is a bit of a cop-out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2022: Minister for Transport (22 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: No. I am not asking the Minister to confirm whether or not something was wrong. I am just asking him, as an ordinary citizen, if he would be concerned.