Results 601-620 of 992 for speaker:Gabrielle McFadden

Seanad: Action Plan for Rural Development: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: Several times a week I get into my car to drive from Athlone to Dublin and I cannot help but notice how the volume of traffic grows as I pass every exit. Even more striking is the fact that most of the traffic is going in one direction. We should be bringing jobs to the people rather than people to the jobs.Leaving aside de Valera’s vision of comely maidens dancing at the crossroads,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces Reserve: Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association (9 Feb 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I welcome the witnesses. I am delighted to hear first hand the situation they are in. I was one of only two Oireachtas members who attended the symposium in Farmleigh in 2015, and I was very enthusiastic about the White Paper myself, as everybody was. There was much discussion about talking up the Defence Forces over the next ten years, and that included, as far as I was concerned, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Feb 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: Anyone looking at the proceedings in the other House today would see the considerable toing and froing on the Opposition. They are discussing who knew what and when. That has become a greater issue than the real issue at stake. Who cares who said what and to whom they said it? Who cares where it was said? Who cares who knew what and at what time they knew it? To me, it is like they are...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Feb 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: We should allow the tribunal to find out whether a deliberate smear campaign was waged against Sergeant McCabe. We should allow him to have his name cleared. We need to find out, through the tribunal, by whom this was perpetrated and we should not use it for politics.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Feb 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health to the House for a debate on the accident and emergency services. I say debate but I would prefer a discussion. We need a constructive discussion on such services and people being left on trolleys. The Opposition parties and, indeed, Mr. Liam Doran, constantly highlight the problems in the HSE but never offer a solution, a bit like the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I was the one who was sighing to whom the previous speaker referred. Before I say what I rose to speak about I must say that as far as I and most members of the Fine Gael Party are concerned, there is no lap of honour. The Taoiseach has never sought that kind of admiration. He has always put the country first. In the next few months the Taoiseach has an agenda for Brexit and he will work...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: That is good news; I am delighted. Like others, I wish to address the issues arising from the finding of human remains on the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam. I do not intend to rehearse the horror of what happened to those babies and their mothers but I share in the disgust that everyone in the House, and outside it, feels today. It is important we take this opportunity to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Vetting of Personnel (22 Mar 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I thank the Minister of State for dealing with the matter. The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 makes it mandatory for people working with children or vulnerable adults to be screened by the Garda National Vetting Bureau. This provision is necessary and prudent and is welcomed by all organisations working with the young and with vulnerable people. It means...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Vetting of Personnel (22 Mar 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I thank the Minister of State and I appreciate that this is not necessarily her portfolio. It is absolutely vital that we and the public have confidence in the vetting process. Nobody denies the absolute need for it, bearing in mind what we have been through in this country between the church and situations like Áras Attracta in the past. It is absolutely vital. However, I believe...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Apr 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I welcome the sentiments expressed by Senator Dolan on Áras Attracta and the work that needs to be done in the area of disability. I hope we can move on and address important issues, including disability. I raise again the unfilled posts in the child and adolescent mental health services, or CAMHS. I will continue to raise this issue until I am given answers. It is unbelievable that...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: My good friend and former Senator, Imelda Henry, who is here today recently said that closing pubs on Good Friday belongs to another era. While I do not wish to disrespect anybody's religious beliefs, as a person who grew up in a pub I am inclined to agree with her. She has said that it was a legacy of the past which does not recognise the massive changes in Ireland and the manner in which...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I know the Senator does not agree with me but it is true.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: It is not a theme park.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: It is not a theme park, it is part of what we are. People can go into a pub but they do not have to drink. They can have water and a meal but it is part of what we offer as a destination and it should be looked at.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: There are others after Senator Norris.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I rise today to raise the issue of the possible threat of closure-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: Go ahead.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: That is all right. I thank the Cathaoirleach. I refer to the threat of possible closure of the Athlone mail centre which is owned by An Post. There is a lot of uncertainty and worry locally following the recent announcements made by the chief executive of An Post when he addressed the Communications Workers Union. I have written to him to ask that he issue a statement to provide clarity...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I share Senator Feighan's sentiments about An Garda Síochána and I am very proud of it. Equally, I am immensely proud of our Defence Forces. I rise today to praise the members of the 110th Infantry Battalion, who travel today to serve with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. Ireland has a long association with UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978 and I am...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 May 2017)

Gabrielle McFadden: I wish to ask the House to welcome home the 109th Infantry Battalion from UNIFIL. The troops return home today from Lebanon having served for six months. It was great to see families being reunited in the airport this morning. The State is immensely grateful to the soldiers for the wonderful, invaluable work they do abroad, and for the distinction with which they represent Ireland. We...