Results 901-920 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Bearing in mind the Minister's comments, I ask the Acting Chairman to allow the two remaining speakers to contribute.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I have come to congratulate the Minister on the work he is doing. He is dead right that we hear much talk about this every year, no matter who is in government. I recall, as a ten-year-old, being lined up in what we called "the long ward" in the regional hospital in Galway because it did not have enough beds. That was a long time ago - 52 years ago to be precise. Every year since, I have...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I compliment the Government. I woke this morning and heard more jobs announced. This is becoming such a frequent event that I almost take it for granted. Credit where credit is due. Then I switch on the radio and I listen to the happy clappy economist from Friends First who told us we were going to have a soft landing some years ago and disappeared when the landing hit the wall. I tire...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: We should teach them a lesson by not running the Bills through.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I agree with practically everything my colleague, Senator David Norris, said. Any form of entrapment is a terrible thing and the result does not always justify the means. However, we are confronted with a problem, that is, what happened last night affects the entire body politic in this country. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Taoiseach to call on the...

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Second Stage (8 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I welcome this Bill in so far as it provides for democratic oversight of the running of our harbours. It is important there be accountability for such assets of the State to the State. However, like Senators Cummins and O'Sullivan, I have reservations regarding the exclusion of local councillors - the people on the ground who know exactly what is going on...

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Second Stage (8 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: They will not be able to give a direction.

Seanad: Charities and Voluntary Organisations: Statements (8 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank Senator Ó Murchú for asking for this debate and I acknowledge the Leader for facilitating it. All the organisations that have been mentioned such as the Simon Community and the Peter McVerry Trust should be commended for the work they do. I cannot understand how people can motivate themselves on a wet winter's night to go out knocking on doors on behalf of the Society of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister of State is welcome to the House.I am aware that this issue has been raised by colleagues on both sides of the House in other forums but as it remains unresolved I believe it is necessary to ask for a review of the issue again. When speaking last summer, the Minister, Deputy Howlin, was quoted as saying: "Under our Constitution pensions are preserved property rights. I can no...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I accept the Minister of State is speaking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality and can give no commitment. I know the Minister of State to be a fair-minded person and I think she will agree with me that to deny a small number of people a constitutional right is totally unacceptable. I feel there is some cynicism on this issue in so far as the relevant parties are aware that...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I ask the Leader to amend today's Order of Business, in order to bring the Minister for Justice and Equality to the House to discuss the practices of companies registered as private investigation companies. Last night I was contacted by a citizen and am absolutely appalled by what I learned. It is backed up by evidence. It is absolutely outrageous that there are companies employed by the...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: With due respect, the issue needs to be debated.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: It is the overall regulation that is unacceptable.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Yes.

Seanad: Gradam an Uachtaráin Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: That is a brilliant idea.

Seanad: Gradam an Uachtaráin Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Wikipediaagain.

Seanad: Gradam an Uachtaráin Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister of State. It is my first time to address him in the House so it is a particular pleasure. I think it highly appropriate that Senator Quinn would be the person to bring this Bill before the House. Nobody anywhere could accuse him of being partisan in any way. Senator Quinn is one of the most independent, free-thinking people in this House and he has crossed all party...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: While I am very sympathetic to Senator O'Donnell's amendment, I have one concern, which the Senator might address. Her amendment includes the words "in so far as that is practicable". I recall the turmoil of my elderly mother who wanted to live independently long after she was able to so do. At one stage, we had a nurse caring for her and over a period of six months, €54,000 was...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Dec 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Could I make a very brief contribution?