Results 741-760 of 1,132 for speaker:Garret Ahearn

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Businesses: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2024)

Garret Ahearn: I thank Mr. Rollison. I call Deputy Bruton who has seven minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Businesses: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2024)

Garret Ahearn: That concludes the second round. There is one person indicating in the third round. Deputy O'Reilly has seven minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Businesses: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2024)

Garret Ahearn: That concludes our consideration of this matter today. I thank the witnesses for assisting the committee in its consideration of this very important matter. I now propose that the committee goes into private session to consider other business. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (30 May 2024)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber this morning. As he is well aware, one of the biggest criticisms we get as Government public representatives when there are announcements of international protection or Ukrainian citizens coming to a town is the lack of communication. That happened only this week in Tipperary when there were rumours circulating over the weekend that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (30 May 2024)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Of all of what he read out, only two paragraphs answered some of the questions I asked. I appreciate it is not his Department. He mentioned if the contract is agreed and that they are working with the provider. The provider said a few months ago that he would not use it for international protection and then he was found out. The new owners...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (30 May 2024)

Garret Ahearn: This proves that when I ask questions-----

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (30 May 2024)

Garret Ahearn: -----and I know the answers myself, the Department and the communication team do not deliver those answers.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Business Supports (18 Jun 2024)

Garret Ahearn: He is doing so with great energy.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Budget 2025 (18 Jun 2024)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister for being here and taking this Commencement matter. Before I speak about the 9% VAT rate, which is being pushed very hard by sectors across the country that are struggling, the hospitality sector in particular, it is first important to acknowledge what his Department and this Government have done. Since we have been in government in 2011, we have always held the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Budget 2025 (18 Jun 2024)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister very much for his response and agree with everything he said. Any time I speak with businesses in Tipperary, the very first thing they say, before they make a request, is that they recognise what this Government has done over the past number of years, particularly during the Covid-19 period, in supporting them and their employees and in keeping them alive. That has been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (26 Jun 2024)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber today to take this Commencement matter. Before I speak about childcare and childminders, it is important to acknowledge the incredible work the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, has done in his Department to reduce childcare costs for parents right across the country. In budget 2023, there was a reduction of 25% and in budget 2024 there was a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (26 Jun 2024)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for his response. The response from the Department and the Minister is essentially what I have been asking for. With regard to that draft legislation, if proposals are put forward by the groups representing childminders, I hope the Minister will agree to them. There is no doubt about the Minister's commitment to supporting childcare. It is about the changes...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2024)

Garret Ahearn: Thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I did not get the opportunity last week to congratulate the Deputy Leader on his elevation. I wish him well in his new role. I am not sure how long it will last or how long we will be here but I know he will conduct himself in a very fair way for everyone in the House. Many people in Clonmel woke up this morning to news of rising costs in childcare...

Seanad: Digital Services (Levy) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 Jul 2024)

Garret Ahearn: The Cathaoirleach might not be aware but we have been joined by 20 Tipperary people. I have great company with me.

Seanad: Digital Services (Levy) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 Jul 2024)

Garret Ahearn: I do not normally have this sort of back-up when I speak. I will be brief. I congratulate the Minister of State on his elevation last week, which was well deserved. I look forward to continuing to work with him. I am delighted he will remain within this portfolio, which will be important for the next number of months. The Minister of State has addressed most of the points and I would...

Seanad: Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Bill 2024: Second Stage (3 Jul 2024)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the Chamber. I thank the Minister of State for the work that he and the Department have done on this Bill. I am covering for Senator Paddy Burke, who could not be here. The Bill will have the support of the Fine Gael Party. As the Minister of State said towards the end of his speech, the Bill is essentially just to modernise the system....

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Garret Ahearn: For clarity, we are talking about someone doing work experience for the rate of €450 where someone else in that same company is working the same amount of time but getting the higher rate of pay. If they are doing work experience, they are not doing the same work as a full-time employee. If they are qualified to do that work, they would take on full employment. It is similar to...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Garret Ahearn: What the Senator is saying just does not make sense. No person who works in the Department of Social Protection will send someone on work experience if they are fully qualified for that role. A chef, for example, might lose his or her job for whatever reason and go into the social welfare office to look for guidance and to engage with social protection on how he or she should go forward and...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Garret Ahearn: That absolutely makes no sense. Essentially, what the Senator is saying is that for anyone who is out of work, the Department of Social Protection will look at people who are fully qualified chefs to go into-----

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Garret Ahearn: -----to go on work experience to be chefs. That is just not going to happen. The Senator's statement then means that the Department is denying people the opportunity to transfer into a new career because there are people who are fully qualified who are-----