Results 721-740 of 1,416 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I have seen the major efforts being put in around the country, including my local area of Monaghan, Cavan and north Meath. Sporting and voluntary organisations have been doing all they can to keep this virus suppressed. Unfortunately, however, this is a marathon and not a sprint. The news yesterday that Donegal, as from midnight, will join Dublin in going to level 3 is greatly...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (30 Sep 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I extend a very warm welcome to the Minister of State and congratulate her on her appointment as it is the first opportunity I have had to do so. Knowing her personally, I have no doubt she will have huge success at the Department and wish her all the very best and good luck in that.I seek an update on the proposed extension of Ballybay Community College. It is an issue that I, along with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (30 Sep 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for the response. I welcome the fact the CMETB and the board of management of the school have done their bit and passed the parcel, so to speak, to the Department. This is good news. It is progress and I am delighted to welcome it. I will be in contact with the office of the Minister to ensure there are no delays with the Department and that the project will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: The annual primary school census is due today, 30 September. It will determine the staffing levels in our primary schools for the academic year 2021-22. There is a serious risk that some schools may lose a teacher this year because a number of children have yet to return to school owing to health concerns associated with Covid-19. Some pupils may live in a home in which there is an at-risk...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Engagement with the Minister for Justice (6 Oct 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister and her officials. Other speakers have alluded to the overall situation and the chances, or lack of chances, of striking a deal. I hope, to quote the British Prime Minister, that common sense will prevail, moreso on his part than on the part of others. We remain hopeful that will happen. Those of us who live along the Border certainly hope it happens because this...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: Today is the first day of level 4 regulations for the good people of counties Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal. Yesterday evening it was absolutely heartbreaking to witness shop owners, hairdressers, beauty salons and hotels close their doors for the second time in six months. This was done through no fault of the business owners concerned. They did everything they were asked to do. They...

Seanad: Ábhair Ghnó an tSeanaid - Matters on the Business of the Seanad (5 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: Competition.

Seanad: Ábhair Ghnó an tSeanaid - Matters on the Business of the Seanad (5 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: The reduction in the incidence of Covid in recent days has been encouraging. The R-rate is now down below 1, which is welcome. I believe Ireland is in the top five in Europe, which indicates we are heading in the right direction. Irish people in their business and personal lives have paid an enormous price to be where we are today. They have made a significant sacrifice and personal...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (5 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: The Minister of State is welcome back into the House for consideration of this legislation, which is short and technical. We in Fianna Fáil are happy to support this Bill transposing EU directives that will help in the fight against fraud and that will be in the financial interests of the EU. It is critical that we have good co-operation across the EU when it comes to tackling areas of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Improvement Scheme (6 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to attend. I would like to talk about the local improvements scheme, LIS. LIS funding provides works for small roads and laneways in rural Ireland that do not come under the normal maintenance performed by local authorities. These lanes are used to access people's homes, farms and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Improvement Scheme (6 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for her response on behalf of the relevant line Minister. I welcome the additional funding because any day one gets additional funding is a good day. Nevertheless, I am disappointed because the amount of funding being talked about is totally inadequate. For example, in my own county of Monaghan, and in many others, it is not possible for people to put their...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I second the proposal by Senator Fiona O'Loughlin in regard to the hate crime Bill. I compliment her on the great work she has done in bringing this forward and in her role as a Deputy in times gone by. I am delighted that we are bringing forward this timely and much-needed legislation and I again compliment her on bringing it forward.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: First Stage (6 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I second the proposal.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (6 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, will be supporting the extension of the sunset clause up until 9 June, with the current one due to expire on 9 November. This allows us to give gardaí additional powers to enter public houses, and private houses for that matter, regarding incidents of law-breaking. It is not often we...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I hope that information was sent to Senator Craughwell as well.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: Following on from my colleague, Senator O'Loughlin, I would like to talk about the same subject. Safe Ireland, the national domestic violence agency, works with 39 front-line services throughout the length and breadth of the country. In my area, Monaghan and Cavan, I know Tearmann does fantastic work and I want to compliment it on the fantastic service it provides. The report being...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the news from Government last week that the Tidy Towns competition will proceed in 2021.That news was welcomed by many volunteers and community groups across the country. In 2019, almost 900 communities and groups entered the Tidy Towns competition. We are deeply indebted to all those groups, individuals and volunteers who do such excellent work in our villages and towns each...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Procurement Contracts (18 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: Ar dtús by mhaith liom fáilte mhór a chur roimh an Aire Stáit chuig on Teach inniu. At the outset I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him every success in his role and portfolio. I have been contacted by many people in County Monaghan and elsewhere who have voiced their annoyance, concern and anger at the number of substantial State contracts being...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Procurement Contracts (18 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am heartened by the fact that he is going to have a look at this whole area. As I said, it is deeply frustrating for local contractors, and indeed the local community, to see substantial contracts in excess of €1 million being awarded on such a frequent basis to contractors from outside the State and the huge loss that is to the local...

Seanad: Combating Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Robbie Gallagher: Senator Ward should be first.