Results 181-200 of 1,504 for at speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: High-Level Action Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (30 May 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the witnesses for their attendance. The world changed in February 2022 and it would be fair to say that if we were looking at the Commission on the Defence Forces report again, we would probably be looking at level of ambition three, rather than level of ambition two. It strikes me that it is an awful long time to 2028 to build the budget up to €1.5 billion and we should...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: High-Level Action Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (30 May 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Yes, the aid to the civil power. It is my understanding that there was to be an immediate focus on getting rid of the aid to the civil power taskings that are no longer a requirement given the security situation in the country. However, it appears that not one of those taskings has been stood down. If we are committing troops to things that are no longer necessary and if they are doing...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Yesterday we got the news that Private Sean Rooney is to be honoured by the United Nations with a medal for his bravery in the loss of his life. This is a wonderful thing for the Rooney family, for the medal is a tangible remembrance of that man and the life he gave in the service of peace. I make a plea today, and asked the Acting Leader and Cathaoirleach to support it, that the Rooney...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Engagement with the National Cyber Security Centre (23 May 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: It is 18 months since the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications fought hard to have Dr. Browne's role properly recognised and remunerated. Speaking of recruitment, has Dr. Browne been given sufficient leeway regarding salaries to attract the type of person with the type of skills he requires or is he limited by public sector? Regarding the secondment of the Army officer to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Engagement with the National Cyber Security Centre (23 May 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Dr. Browne will be aware that a forum on the future of Ireland’s security neutrality will be held at University College Cork, UCC, University of Galway and Dublin Castle. I was at the Tallinn 2022 conference. There are no borders in cyberspace. There is a conversation going on in Ireland about our neutrality or lack thereof and the future position in foreign affairs. The truth of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 May 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Yesterday morning, the Women of Honour were interviewed on RTÉ's "Morning Ireland" and very clear set out their opposition to what is going on with respect to the drafting of terms of reference for an investigation into the allegations - I stress the word "allegations" - that were brought forward by the independent review group.It appears we have a woke culture of civil servants and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 May 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: In the context of the evacuation of Irish citizens from Sudan, the Tánaiste made a big play at the weekend of thanking France, Sweden and the UK for their assistance. We thanked everybody for assisting us. We sent 12 of our people out to assist with the evacuation when we did not have to restrict the number to 12.The triple lock does not apply in humanitarian situations. We survived...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: The Garda Commissioner presented in front of the Garda Representative Association, GRA, in Westport yesterday. The issue of rostering of gardaí for both the GRA and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, AGSI, is a major problem and we have known for some time that it is a problem. The Commissioner said he is not the only one who has to compromise. It strikes me that he is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: ...has once again been exposed. On 18 May 1988, 02789H, prison officer Sean O'Brien was on duty in Portlaoise Prison. I have been given permission to use his name today. Members will recall that this was at the height of the Troubles. I have been informed that during an escape attempt by Mr. Paddy McVeigh of the Provisional IRA, the deputy governor of the prison, gave O'Brien an order to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I find it strange that no evidence can be found in national archives, military archives or in the Department of Justice of this escape attempt in Portlaise Prison. O'Brien has been diagnosed with a severe form of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. Has the State got a duty of care to this man? Is he entitled to be looked after? I ask the Deputy Leader to perhaps put that question to the...

Seanad: Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (25 Apr 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: ...before the Tánaiste today a proud veteran of the Irish Defence Forces. Every officer, NCO and service person of the Defence Forces, serving and retired, with whom I have engaged since the publication of the report has expressed a welcome for the statutory inquiry and for any Garda investigation of wrongdoing in the Defence Forces. All expressed strongly that any wrongdoing should...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister is welcome to the House. I congratulate him for bringing this Bill forward. At the outset, I will remark on the work of our library service for providing excellent briefing material. I compliment the joint Oireachtas committee that sat and deliberated on this issue and I remember those parents who adopted and fostered children. In many case, in fact in most cases, they were...

Seanad: Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: We as a society owe the women. The Acting Chairperson is looking at me to tell me that my time is coming to an end.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Shannon Foynes Port Company: Chairperson Designate (Resumed) (19 Apr 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: It was just amazing to watch but I am not sure that Shannon Foynes would have the real estate to get into the container business at scale. The port has the depth but not the land.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Apr 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: We should, on remembering the visit of Joe Biden here to Leinster House, remark on the wonderful job that was done by the staff of Leinster House, and how everything ran so smoothly within the House. The Cathaoirleach's speech was exceptional, and I congratulate you. It was a very well delivered and poignant speech in its own way, and I would like to compliment you. With respect to the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Mar 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I express my deep appreciation to Noel Murphy for his work on the committee and as Superintendent. He will be sorely missed. His good humour and pleasant way are remarkable. He is a lovely man, one of life's great gentlemen. We will miss him. We will miss him at the count as well because he always got it right on the labour panel, at least when he was counting my votes. We will miss...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: A Chathaoirligh, you and I and other Members of this House and the Dáil attended the Interparliamentary Union last week where historic outcomes in peaceful coexistence and cybercrime were agreed. We frequently have a crack at one another in this House because of different political ideology, etc. Along with the Cathaoirleach, Senator Clifford-Lee of Fianna Fáil, a member of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister of State is welcome. I will concentrate on the Coast Guard, which will be no surprise to him. Figures recently released to me show the cost of the helicopter service for 2022, which amounts to €56 million for the first ten months of the year. It is likely it will reach between €67 million and €70 million. That is an overrun of between €10 million...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Work and Priorities of the Defence Forces: Engagement with Chief of Staff (21 Mar 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I wish to place on record my concern that we all received a letter prior to the Chief of Staff arriving here to the effect we were not to stray into policy areas. I believe the Chief of Staff, as the most senior military officer in the country, is well capable of telling us if we stray into areas we should not stray into. With that in mind, I am somewhat concerned at the blurring I have...