Results 1,101-1,120 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Business of Seanad (5 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Leader for coming to the House. The problem we have now is that a number of the Senators who spoke on this matter are not available in the House to make a comment. We do not have feedback from the Whips at this stage and, therefore, do not know whether they have considered the matter. Can we defer making a decision until we hear back from the Whips?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (5 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: On a point of order, the Minister for Justice and Equality is sitting here. As we are not going to get agreement on this matter, can we continue on and debate legislation with the Minister so she can leave? We can sort out this matter at a meeting immediately afterwards, if necessary. It is unfair to have her sitting here waiting for us to solve a problem.

Seanad: Local Authority Members' Terms and Conditions: Motion (5 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: We constantly refer to the pay of councillors. There is no master-servant relationship between the council and the elected councillor. The €16,950 is a representational payment, not a salary. Why in God's name are we treating it as such? Class K PRSI is a criminal form of taking money from people for nothing. Who in this room would buy an insurance policy knowing that he or she...

Seanad: Local Authority Members' Terms and Conditions: Motion (5 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I had to lead it previously.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Food Safety Standards (6 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister for attending and I congratulate him on his appointment. I am sure he is delighted. The Minister will be more concerned than most about the reputation of Irish beef, lamb and bacon, and he will want to protect it more than anybody. Much to the credit of the political system in Ireland, countless Ministers have worked precisely to do that. Much to the credit of the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Food Safety Standards (6 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: He is an honourable man, indeed, and a gentleman. On the day I visited, Dan was extremely frustrated because an animal delivered to the mart had two tags leaving the farm and only one on arriving at the sale ring. The animal was forcibly withdrawn from sale and the farmer had to bring it back home. To a large degree, that is the correct approach to ensure the integrity of the meat supply...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Food Safety Standards (6 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister for a most comprehensive answer which has reassured me as to the quality and traceability of Irish beef. Indeed, I was in China in 2000 and Ireland had a very good reputation there even then. I commend the Minister on the work he is doing. What probably needs to happen is that we engage in some form of re-education in order that farmers do not find themselves putting...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I am delighted to associate myself with the Bill. I compliment Senator Bacik, who has worked extremely hard on it and who brought it to this Chamber during the term of the previous Seanad. Senator Nash has been a great champion of all workers both in his former role and now as a Senator. I acknowledge that. It is terribly wrong that we pit professional against professional as they try to...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: Thank God I am TUI.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I did not say it. It was the Minister who said it.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: The role of the Attorney General has been mentioned on several occasions. I did not call into question the role or the advice of the Attorney General. It was a senior Minister who did so the other morning. That is the only point I was making. I am not trying for one moment to undermine the role of the Attorney General. The role and the authority of the Attorney General will have to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: This week the role of the Attorney General was brought into question with respect to advice given to the Government.The role of the Attorney General was brought into question regarding the advice given to the Government. I am somewhat unclear about this. A number of people have contacted me about the statement made by my colleague in the Lower House, the Minister for transport, that the...

Seanad: Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 10:In page 6, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following:"Report by Minister7. The Minister shall, within three months of the enactment of this Act, lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on measures that will be undertaken to tackle proceeds of crime within the unregulated gambling industry.". It is my great pleasure to welcome the Minister of State to...

Seanad: Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister of State and the officials from the Department, with whom I have engaged on the issue in recent days. I did not put the amendment down to be in any obstructive or difficult. I am deeply concerned. I have been reassured by the officials and by the Minister of State's reassurance today. The Minister of State's particular interest in the area has given me great hope for...

Seanad: Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I join my colleagues in thanking the Minister of State and particularly the officials in the Department who brought forward this legislation in jig time in light of a crisis that has hit this country. It is an excellent piece of work. There is work to be done all the time, but I congratulate the officials and the Minister of State. I look forward to a message going out from the Oireachtas...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I support my colleagues in respect of the Cassells report. In seeking a debate, however, we must take a much broader approach. Senator Coffey referred to the need to examine the position with regard to apprenticeships. Until we have the two options of a vocational stream and an academic stream within the education system and until there is parity of esteem between both, we will not have a...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (12 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I call Senator Joe O'Reilly who has five minutes.

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (12 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I ask the Senator to finish. There are others waiting.

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (12 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: Senator Gallagher has five minutes. Other Senators have indicated that they wish to speak, but I have just over 12 minutes left, so if he could cut it short to allow other Senators to speak, I would appreciate it.

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (12 Jul 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: Senator Lynn Ruane has five minutes. If she could cut it a little tighter, it would be appreciated.