Results 1-20 of 1,299 for speaker:Garret Ahearn

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Trade Agreements (22 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for being here this morning. I am looking for an update on conversations that have been happening with the European Commission on tariffs with America. As we are all aware, an agreement had been reached a number of weeks or months ago of a 15% tariff for the EU with America. There had been a certain level of fear that that might change for pharmaceuticals and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Trade Agreements (22 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for his response. When the Tánaiste and our diplomats have discussions with the European Commission, I hope it takes on our concerns particularly in relation to medtech and pharmaceuticals. As the Minister of State said, there are still possibilities for lower tariffs in certain areas. Medtech is one that needs to be highlighted on behalf of Ireland. A...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tobacco Control Measures (22 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: Before the Minister of State responds, I welcome guests of Deputy Edward Timmins from Wicklow - Annamoe, I believe. I hope they have an enjoyable day and I wish them well.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I, too, welcome the Speaker of the Parliament of Finland. Funnily, I was actually talking this morning to a Finnish citizen who lives in Ireland. She came back from Finland only yesterday. We are lucky to have her. I wish the delegates well on their visit. There was some very welcome news for my home county, Tipperary, this morning. Lonely Planet came out with its annual review of...

Seanad: Cost of Childcare: Motion (21 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Cost of Childcare: Motion (21 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber and I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. About six years ago if I were told I had to stand up to talk about childcare, I would not have had a clue what I was talking about. Now that I have two boys who are five and three I feel like I am an expert on childcare, the cost of childcare and, particularly, the thing I learned very quickly,...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (16 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: The Taoiseach is very welcome to the Chamber and I thank him for his contribution. He spoke about the budget first and I acknowledge the budget. It seems from the outside that the budget seeks to protect the economy, jobs, FDI, that this is one of five budgets and that not all measures that were in the programme for Government can be delivered. Initially, some were, such as 9% VAT rate for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tillage Sector (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber this morning and thank him for agreeing to take this Commencement matter. It is important to point out that, in last week's budget, the Department of agriculture - the Minister of State's Department - received a 9% increase in its overall budget. Aside from the Department of Defence, which was obviously going to get a massive increase, it is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tillage Sector (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed reply. He is correct. His Department has been very supportive over the past number of years in introducing new schemes to support the tillage sector, in particular the straw incorporation measure and the protein aid scheme. Those schemes, in the last year, amounted to roughly €10 million each. The announcement of the €50 million...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó – Order of Business (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I follow on from colleagues who have spoken on the motion of confidence in the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, in the Dáil today. This is clearly a populist move at a time when a presidential election is happening and there is only one candidate from the Government side - from Fine Gael - running in the election. This is being used to try to attack Heather Humphrey's campaign and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the witnesses for their contributions and for the work they do. I refer to the very brave advocacy they do on behalf of their people in their community. Dr. O’Connell spoke about companies that go in and essentially do as they please because there is no due diligence. I do not know if he can name such a company. Is it possible to give an example of a company and what it did...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I thought as much.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: Could Ms Quijano conclude in the next ten to 20 seconds? Then we will go to Mr. Jiménez Villalta.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: Who would you like to take that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: While they answer, Deputy Ó Laoghaire will take the Chair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: Does the Deputy mean the debate in the Dáil Chamber?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: That is noted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: Thank you, Deputy Brennan. That concludes the first round of questions. We might have a brief second round, if that is agreeable, with maybe four minutes each if people want to contribute. We will start with Senator Stephenson.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: Would Ms Gabriela Quijano like a minute to give some concluding remarks?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Garret Ahearn: I thank Ms Gabriela Quijano. Would Ms Ramona Margarita Domingo Díaz like to make some concluding remarks?