Results 101-120 of 1,954 for speaker:John Gilroy

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: I support Senator Ivana Bacik's call for a full debate on constitutional reform. We have heard another extraordinary outburst from Senator Rónán Mullen. It was very ungenerous of him to suggest the Government was defending this proposal in some spiteful fashion, or putting it forward just because we thought the tribunals were costing too much money. There is no doubt that they are...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: I do not see the controversy. A contrived controversy is being stirred up by the Opposition.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: I would like to respond to Senator Darragh O'Brien's suggestion that the Government is not campaigning on the issue. It is campaigning strongly on it.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: Perhaps if Fianna Fáil-----

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: The Cathaoirleach is quite right.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: If the entire Fianna Fáil organisation is not out campaigning for Seán Gallagher, perhaps it might put a bit of effort into this.

Seanad: Access to Central Treasury Funds (Commission for Energy Regulation) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: This is a short and technical Bill but is important nonetheless. It represents the outworking of the Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Act 2010, which requires the Commission for Energy Regulation to assume responsibility for the safe regulation of petroleum exploration and extraction in Ireland. The Minister's thorough and comprehensive explanation has shown us that all bases...

Seanad: Access to Central Treasury Funds (Commission for Energy Regulation) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: ----- I do not have much to add to the debate. I conclude by asking the Minister whether the terms and conditions attached to the levy will apply retrospectively to existing licences. I support the Bill and urge the House to do likewise.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: I welcome the Minister for Health to the Chamber. He probably has the most difficult job in Ireland, if not the world. He has started extremely well. His decisive early decision to disband the board of the HSE sent a signal that he and the Government were serious about health service reform. The previous Government spoke about reform but, in the main, failed to deliver it. The...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

John Gilroy: It may be an incorrect statement, but it is not outrageous.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: That makes a change.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: It would be worse.

Seanad: Reform of Junior Certificate: Statements (8 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. He is well known as a reformer, something which is widely recognised. The reform of the junior certificate is timely, important and one which everybody involved in education will welcome. I note the six key skills, which is an excellent development. Are those set out in the presentation exhaustive? If they are, I suggest the Minister might consider...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I would like to comment on the lack of balance in the debate on Gaza and the ship which has been detained. We recognise that Israel is a legitimate state but from some of the comments I have heard, it seems that some people believe Israel is completely wrong on this occasion. Surely, a state has a right and a responsibility to protect its borders. The sort of language I have heard-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: The sort of language I have heard in the House does the proponents of each position no good, in particular when we hear calls for the President of this country to become political and make a statement on this. That does no good. It shows that we do not even understand-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I am but I also-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: There is also talk of expelling the Israeli ambassador. This sort of talk is ridiculous. One of those detained is a former Fianna Fáil Deputy. If we want to put pressure on the Israelis, perhaps if we sent an entire boatload of former Fianna Fáil Deputies-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: It is no less-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I understand the -----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: If I was not interrupted, I could ask a question of the Leader.