Results 141-160 of 1,307 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of Education (Amendment) Bill 2015 and General Scheme of Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I will be very brief but I am heartened again by these latest contributions I compliment Deputy Jim Daly for bringing this forward and that we are able to have this conversation. I think Ms Doyle mentioned earlier in her contribution that there needs to be prevention rather than resolution and that this is key. It is important that we do not lose sight of that. From what I have heard this...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoi an sláinte na tíre agus an fhadbh nach bhfuil dóthani dochtúirí teaghlaigh don daonra. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health to the House to discuss the chronic shortage and lack of GPs throughout the country. I have been contacted by a number of people from different parts of the country who have told me...

Seanad: Seachtain na Gaeilge: Statements (8 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Ar dtús ba mhaith liom fáilte mór a chur roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach seo inniu. Mar is eol dúinn ar fad, Seachtain na Gaeilge atá ann. Tugann an tseachtain seo seans dúinn ár dteanga náisiúnta a chéiliúradh. Tugann an Ghaeilge aitheantas dúinn. Is ár chéad teanga í, mar sin caithfimid níos...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (21 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: General practitioner services have been declining in recent years and, as a result, there is a chronic shortage of GPs throughout the country. It is impossible to get GPs to locate in rural Ireland and the people in towns and villages throughout the country are left with very few services or none at all. A recent report, commissioned by the HSE, highlighted the fact that the GP shortage...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (21 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for her extensive response to my question. To get back to the two people who contacted me last week about the lack of GPs, I wonder if there is anything in the Minister of State's response that will give them comfort. I sincerely hope there is. I welcome the fact that more places are going to be made available for training. The problem is, like in many other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Amendment) Bill 2015 and Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill 2016: Discussion (21 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the witnesses. I complimented the Deputy on the last occasion for starting this conversation and I do so again today. I am heartened by the presentations, both on the last occasion and today, that this is not a serious issue. Most of the problems that arise are dealt with at local level and the infrastructure is in place to do that. However, it is clear there is an issue when it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Implications of Brexit for the Irish Educational System: Discussion (21 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I, too, welcome all of the witnesses. Their contributions have been uplifting. When Brexit is discussed, usually all one hears about are people's concerns and the negative impact it will have on the economy. It is great to hear that Brexit will provide opportunities for the education sector. The challenge is how best to package such opportunities and make them a positive reality for this...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: The Citizens Information Board's proposal to reorganise the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS, at eight regional centres across the State is causing a great deal of concern. As the Leader is probably aware, there are 51 MABS outlets throughout the country. As everybody in this Chamber knows, MABS provides a great service to people who find themselves in financial difficulties...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Network (29 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. I refer to the provision of funding for two bridges in County Donegal, Tyrconnell Bridge in Donegal town and the nearby Fintra Bridge. I acknowledge that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, met a delegation from Donegal municipal district at the end of February, for which I thank him. Both...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Network (29 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his response on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross. I understand that the Department is awaiting further information from Donegal County Council which is being worked on currently and should be with the Minister very shortly. I hope and trust that when that information is forthcoming that serious consideration will be given...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I raise the issue of car parking charges for cancer patients attending hospitals throughout the country. Charges represent a major cost for many cancer patients at a time when they are going through physical and psychological stress, not to mention financial pressure. The Irish Cancer Society is to be commended for its work on highlighting this matter through a campaign that encourages the...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Mar 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: As Members of the House know, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust was established by Colin and Eithne Bell following the tragic death of their son Kevin, who was killed in an alleged hit and run accident in New York in 2013. Since then, the trust has helped many families whose loved ones have been tragically killed abroad and helped them bring home the bodies. It provides a vital service and...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I wish to raise the issue of the lack of a national cancer strategy. The most recent strategy lapsed approximately 15 months ago and to date there has been no move by Government to introduce or prioritise a new strategy. The word "cancer" can put fear through anyone's heart and some of the statistics I will outline are very frightening. It is estimated that there are more than 200 types of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Members' Remuneration (12 Apr 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I concur totally with the sentiments outlined by my learned colleague, Senator Mark Daly. It is disappointing we find ourselves back in the House, raising this issue again. We had all hoped at this point that there would be some real and tangible progress to report. Unfortunately, that is not the case. We are chasing county councillors out of local democracy because the reality is that,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Members' Remuneration (12 Apr 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for her response. On the last paragraph, how soon can we expect the Minister to make an announcement on the issues on which we are waiting for clarity?

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (12 Apr 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I, too, welcome the Minister of State. I concur with the sentiments of my colleague, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, on the issue. The school in question caters for pupils from counties Cavan and Monaghan. It has a great reputation and gone from strength to strength in terms of enrolments which have doubled since 2002. I pay tribute to the principal and staff, the board of management, previous...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Apr 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I second the proposal on my colleague, Senator Ardagh's Bill. I want to comment on the grave issues Senator Craughwell raised, his query and the response to same. I second his proposal asking the Minister to come to the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Apr 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Is é sin ceart go leor. The Leader might confirm whether any performance bonuses have been paid to any personnel in the Department of Defence. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, to the House to discuss his plans for the post office network in this country. This comes at a time of great risk to the future of the 1,100-strong post office network around the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Apr 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: It is in the interests of the tourism industry.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I congratulate Senator Joan Freeman and all those who were involved in the Darkness into Light run last Saturday morning. It was a huge success. The event has gone from strength to strength. I refer to the North-South interconnector which it is proposed to run through three counties, namely, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. As the Leader is aware, a motion was passed in both Houses calling on...