Results 61-80 of 85 for speaker:Gareth Scahill

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (12 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: While I have the Minister of State here, I will thank him for his recent help regarding the special area of conservation in Gorthaganny in Caher, west Roscommon, following the recent gorse fires. I thank him and his Department in that regard. My question is on the national biomethane strategy. The Government published the national biomethane strategy in 2024. It sets out an ambitious...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (12 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I appreciate that this is not the Minister of State's brief. The opportunity for energy independence cannot be something we let go. I have some feedback. A leading industry body has warned that biomethane production in Ireland must be incentivised and supported ahead of cheaper imported biomethane. The current Government target for indigenous production of biomethane is 5.7 TWh each year...

Seanad: Delivering a World-Class Education System: Statements (12 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I thank the Minister for coming to the Seanad. This is an important issue and I am proud to speak about something that matters deeply to all of us, namely, ensuring that all children get a chance to learn, grow and reach their full potential. That is what our education system is all about. Ireland is working hard to build a world-class education system, not just for some children, but for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Research Ireland (10 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: The contributions of the witnesses have been very informative that we will need to use AI to summarise it. The AI safety report was published in January. Dr. Seoighe has said there was no consensus and that Ireland was the only country out of 33 countries to highlight the social impact and the fundamental human rights aspect. He is the deputy CEO of Research Ireland. What was Ireland's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Research Ireland (10 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: It is an AI safety report. There is an onus on the committee to inform people and ask the questions. There are issues around safety but, as Dr. Seoighe highlighted, there are massive benefits to this too. That is why I was glad he outlined at the end of his submission the potential benefits for people, businesses and society as a whole, and that is also why I asked that question. Black...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Research Ireland (10 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: In certain versions of it, when you tell it the information is wrong, it will actually apologise to you, which is interesting. One of the questions I had down was how policymakers should balance the risks and benefits of AI, but Dr. Seoighe is saying the next report will potentially answer that.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I rise to discuss a sector that had a turnover in 2022 of €52 million and employs approximately 555 people. It is the craft beer sector in Ireland. We need to have a debate on the laws around licensing. The microbrewery in Ballinlough, west Roscommon, Black Donkey Brewing, recently announced it will cease trading. It has been in existence since 2013. Ms Michaela Dillon and Mr....

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I support this motion. My colleague, Senator Nelson Murray, has been an advocate of SMEs and rural business, as have I, since we entered the Chamber in February. I was a third-generation retailer in Roscommon. I know the effort and industry our small businesses put into everything they do. It is not just about the bottom line. Rather, it is about being part of the community. It is part...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I rise today to discuss the issue of insurance for forestry owners. Recent events, particularly in west Roscommon and in Longford and Achill, have laid bare the critical inadequacies of the insurance landscape. We often hear about re-establishment costs being covered but I fear the term is often misunderstood and, frankly, it falls short of what our forestry owners truly need and deserve....

Committee on Education and Youth: Engagement with Minister for Education and Youth (18 Jun 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I thank the Minister and her team. She has gone through much of what I had here in relation to capitation grants and transport. On leaving certificate reform and reducing the intense pressure of a single exam, I welcome the additional assessment components and the new curriculum, the drama, film and theatre and especially the climate action and sustainable development subjects. They are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Gareth Scahill: On 5 May, Fine Gael Members of this House brought forward a motion to ensure students' concerns regarding the costs of accessing further education were heard. In that motion, we stated it was urgent and it reflected the daily reality of thousands of students and families grappling with financial pressures. We commended on 5 May the €1,000 reduction in each of the previous three...

Seanad: Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I welcome the survivors in the Gallery: Sheila, Mary, Miriam and Mary. I thank them for sharing their stories with us. I commend our colleague Senator Victor Boyhan on the way he has explained his story over the past couple of weeks and opened up on it. The survivors have an exceptional advocate in this Chamber. After their ten requests there, I am sure my Government colleagues and I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I wish to bring up an issue that I am sure is relevant for every Member of this House. It is also a timely intervention at the moment as it is with regard to school transport. I call for a debate in this House on school transport. Like many of the Members of this House, I have regularly used the representatives at Bus Éireann's email address to try to raise issues about routes school...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

Gareth Scahill: Apologies have been received from Deputy Cathal Crowe and Senator Curley. I welcome the witnesses. I ask everyone attending remotely to mute themselves when not contributing so the committee does not pick up any background noise or feedback. As usual, I remind all of those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are in silent mode or switched off. Members attending remotely are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I thank Mr. Clerkin and I now invite Ms O'Connor of the NAPD to make an opening statement, for which she will have five minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I thank Ms O'Connor. I now invite Ms Charlotte Cahill to make an opening statement on behalf of the Equality in Education campaign, for which she will have five minutes. I note the opening statements of Ms Cahill and Ms Meehan, also representing the Equality in Education campaign, have been combined. In the interests of time, we may need to cut short the opening statements. Perhaps Ms...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

Gareth Scahill: Thank you, Ms Meehan. I now call on Ms Áine Lynch of the NPC to make an opening statement, for which she has five minutes also.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

Gareth Scahill: Sorry. I call Ms O'Shea.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

Gareth Scahill: I thank Ms O'Shea and the other witnesses for those opening statements. We move to the question-and-answer session with members. The speaking rota has been circulated.