Results 1,161-1,180 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Cathaoirleach and Leader back after our short break. I look forward to working with the Leader during the coming session. In the previous Seanad, I spoke in favour of former Senator Crown's Bill relating to the issue of forced retirements on a particular day just because one happened to pass a birthday. Unfortunately, that Bill did not complete its progress. I have received...

Seanad: Finance (Certain European Union and Intergovernmental Obligations) Bill 2016: Second Stage (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I have just checked and the Minister of State does not necessarily have to provide a copy.

Seanad: Finance (Certain European Union and Intergovernmental Obligations) Bill 2016: Second Stage (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: We will have copies made.

Seanad: Finance (Certain European Union and Intergovernmental Obligations) Bill 2016: Second Stage (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: The Seanad office will take note of this. I agree with everything that has been said.

Seanad: Finance (Certain European Union and Intergovernmental Obligations) Bill 2016: Second Stage (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: We will take a note of it and the matter will be dealt with. Group spokespersons have eight minutes and all others have five. We will start with Senator Gerry Horkan.

Seanad: Finance (Certain European Union and Intergovernmental Obligations) Bill 2016: Second Stage (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: As no other Senator is offering, I invite the Minister of State to make his concluding comments.

Seanad: Finance (Certain European Union and Intergovernmental Obligations) Bill 2016: Second Stage (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Finance (Certain European Union and Intergovernmental Obligations) Bill 2016: Second Stage (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: Will that take place next Tuesday?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: The next item of business is No. 9 - motion on economic growth. I am waiting for Senator Nash.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I propose that we suspend until then.

Seanad: Economic Growth: Motion (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I call Senator Gerald Nash.

Seanad: Economic Growth: Motion (28 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I assure the Cathaoirleach I will not take very long. I support the Labour Party motion and congratulate the party Members for bringing it forward. A time has come for some form of social partnership again. It served us well through the years, albeit, as mentioned by Senator Gavan, with some downsides, including the lost ability to negotiate in a tough way at local level. Whatever way we...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I support my colleague, Senator McDowell. We cannot have the courts held up. People are waiting years to bring cases before the courts. Now we are told we will have to wait for legislation which may take a year to get through this House. We cannot have the courts held up. If there is some agreement in place, then it should be published. In the meantime, we need an interim agreement...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: Of course it is about the leadership of Fine Gael. When the two boys are finished playing it out, I hope the Tánaiste, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, will enjoy her new role as Taoiseach.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I totally agree.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I would be delighted.

Seanad: Address by An Taoiseach (Resumed) (29 Sep 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: The Taoiseach is welcome to the House and it is a great pleasure to address him here today. I thank him for his attendance. I first wish to join my colleagues on the nomination of Senator Lawless. I was one of the first people who was sceptical about it, even though I knew Senator Lawless was a good Galway man. It took a brave Mayo man to bring in a Galway man. The Mayo men came down the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Trade Union Agreements (4 Oct 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for coming to take this matter. I am somewhat disappointed that no Minister from the Department of Health is here. This issue was raised by my colleague, Senator Devine, on an Order of Business. Indeed, she raised the matter with the Taoiseach when he was in the House last week. The Minister of State will be aware that in December 2015, the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Trade Union Agreements (4 Oct 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister of State for his forthright answer. Indeed it is at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that this query was aimed. I am rather shocked by the response that has been drafted for the Minister of State by the Department.One must ask whether people at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform understand anything about industrial relations. An agreement...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I apologise to the Leader for the tongue lashing I gave him the other day on the issue of county councillors' pay and the notion that there might have been some sort of deal done in that regard on some Thursday night in a dark smokey room with his fellow Fine Gael Senators. The Minister set out his views in that regard on Friday last at the Local Authorities Members Association, LAMA,...