Results 501-520 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Statements (28 May 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I understand the Leader’s position but it is regrettable that Senator Barrett cannot be here. He is tied up in the banking inquiry and he simply cannot leave it. It is deeply regrettable that we will not hear his voice today.I speak today on behalf of those who cannot speak in this House, namely, the Aer Lingus staff who suffered severe cuts to their pensions as a result of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I join colleagues regarding the case in Berkeley. On the morning of 9-11, my son was in New York and he was on his way to the twin towers. I pay tribute to the Department of Foreign Affairs, which worked overtime at the time to put parents' minds at rest. I recall that we got our telephone call at 7 p.m. to tell us our son was alive and uninjured. When I saw the photographs he brought...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I want to join Senator Hayden in speaking about the horrendous tragedy in Berkeley, which has led to the loss of the lives of a number of students. We must seek guarantees on the care and welfare of those who will be left with life-changing injuries. I would like to advise the Leader that today, I will lay before the House a motion calling for the Minister for the Environment, Community and...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I believe the time has come to address this issue head on and in the open before the end of this Government. Since I last raised the issue, things have changed. I have taken legal advice and am now clear as to where the target is in dealing with the representational payment once and for all. During the debate on the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill on 12 June, my colleague,...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I am placing the Leader on notice because there will be an amendment to the Order of Business tomorrow. I know the Cathaoirleach is deeply committed to our councillors and will do everything he can to try to facilitate this.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I know the Leader will do likewise, and I expect all-party support for the issue. I am bringing this up now because I want to circulate the motion today and I welcome amendments from anybody in the House. Tomorrow I will propose an amendment to the Order of Business. This is urgent because, although the Lansdowne Road agreement has just been finalised and unions are about to vote on it, we...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Senator so much.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Let us work together, then.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Then bring in the Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I am just giving advance notice.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Sadly I was not there.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Leader should call it what it is - it is a tax.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Nobody would buy an insurance policy from which he or she could not claim.

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I second the amendment. I am delighted the Minister of State has brought in a number of amendments, which shows a willingness on his part to change and adapt as this legislation is going through the House. For that, I commend him. On the issue adverted to by Senator Cullinane in regard to a regulatory framework for internships, it is a matter of great concern to me that the term "intern"...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I am particularly interested in the fair hours of employment rules. This is an issue for people in well-paid jobs earning above the minimum wage when one equates the number of hours they deliver. I am speaking specifically about the professions. Teachers employed one or two days a week must be available five days a week. Young trainee accountants and solicitors on a salary work until 10...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (17 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I second the amendment. I will not name the employer, but we all know of one major retailer in the country which has shown just how vicious it can be when its employees make representations or make public their concerns.Ultimately, when people end up on the street and we see a march similar to the one we saw last Saturday week, with about 3,000 people walking down the street towards the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I second Senator Leyden’s amendment to the Order of Business. It is simply unbelievable that we would start to sell off the assets of the State and people. I compliment the former president, Mary McAleese, on her robust attack on The New York Times. How dare they use a tragedy to sell their newspaper by twisting the story on J1 visas? Following on from our debate yesterday on...