Results 1,301-1,320 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister for Social Protection to the House. Two years ago when I brought up the issue of class K PRSI, I was told at the time I was being rather brave. I am delighted everyone has now come on side and seen the inequality that such a drastic measure involved. It was in fact a tax on public service. The Minister has gone some of the way in resolving this issue for our city...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I would be delighted to do that.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I am glad the Minister recognises that.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: Not Oireachtas Members.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: Like my colleague, Senator Boyhan, I look in particular at my colleagues in the civic engagement group. A huge amount of work has gone into five amendments but there is nobody here to listen. Five, six or seven of us will say "Tá", one will say "Níl" and the vote is lost.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: In fairness, this is a hugely important Bill.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: It deserves an a lot more from this House than it is getting.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I have not mentioned any name.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: A number of Senators are in the UK on business.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I accept your point, a Chathaoirligh. I acknowledge that a number of my colleagues are in the UK with the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and Brexit is a hugely important issue. I, too, will support amendment No. 6. Is there any chance the Minister of State could give us some reassurance? I refer to the line, "not later than 30 October2019, the Minister will review the operation and...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I support most of what Senator Boyhan said about recording and fees. We were given to believe on Committee Stage that something would be done as regards fees. We are not looking for Deputies, Senators or anyone else to be exempted from paying fees, merely those who represent locally, namely, councillors. Perhaps it can be done by regulation. That is a suggestion for the Minister of State.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: On Committee Stage, I pointed out that we have been caught in this position because receivers are obliged, when they take possession of an asset, to maximise its value for the person who appoints the receiver. I recently came across a case involving an excellent landlord who got into difficulty. He kept the rent for a group of people I know at the same level for the best part of seven...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: I echo Senator Wilson's request. It would be the right and decent thing to do. Brexit brings many problems to the UK and Ireland. Communities on all sides on this island are going to have to learn to work together to deal with some of them. Some of the utterances that have come out of Leinster House from all parties and none in recent months are a matter of some concern to me. It is no...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: We must recognise that there are two traditions in the North of Ireland and the peace is fragile enough. Let us not give it any reason to become in any way endangered.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: The question that arises today is, when is a property right a property right? Why is it always the working class that pays? Why do we see the same fat cats always win?I am raising the issue of Independent News and Media, but I may well be talking about Aer Lingus, decent public servants who have seen the abatement of their pension schemes. Was it a property right when they got it? It...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: We need to discuss the abatement issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: They always do a great job.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister has shown tremendous flexibility today on the voluntary contributions. There are some issues with respect to voluntary contributions. I may be wrong but I am of the opinion that most local authorities did not advise their elected members that they had the option to make a voluntary contribution. I know the Minister has ruled my amendment to be out of order. It relates to...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: It has been ruled out of order. I apologise to the Minister. Someone ruled it out of order, disgracefully.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Gerard Craughwell: That is worse still.