Results 1,981-2,000 of 5,749 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I woke this morning to find that once again there has been a fiasco with respect to vaccines. I am talking specifically about the administration of vaccines from the Beacon Hospital to teachers in St. Gerard's School in Bray. I see nothing wrong with vaccinating teachers and, indeed, I believe they should be up there with front-line workers. God Almighty, when there were 20 spare vaccines...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: It is in the public media.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I accept the Leas-Chathaoirleach's point. I know a number of elderly people who are sitting at home desperately waiting for their turn. Dozens of them live in the Sandyford area, yet this is what happens. What control is there? There was a load of spin about the matter on the radio this morning. It was not coming from the Government, but it was spin nonetheless. It is outrageous that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I commend him and the Government on how they have responded to so many citizens since the pandemic started. They are to be commended on the speed of action and the compassion shown. That extends to every Senator. I would not set anybody apart. As Senator Buttimer said, we are all working together for a common cause and that is the way we have...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: If the Senator wants to speak, he should speak through the Chair.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I would not dream of it. I am not sure that was a point of order. Various housing charities such as Threshold and Simon have pointed out there is a flaw in section 2, as has an eminent lawyer. Accordingly, I will accept that Senator Murphy did not say it; that is fine. I do not know whether the Minister of State can do anything about the 5 km rule at this stage but if he could reconsider...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister to the House. I feel a bit bad standing up here today because the Minister has had so many demands made to him for funding and we are €239 billion in debt since Covid-19 hit the country. I am not sure how quickly the economy can bounce back. Certainly some parts can but others will not bounce back that quickly. With respect to the national broadband roll-out,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Viability of and Opportunities for the Post Office Network: Discussion (16 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome our guests and thank them for their presentation. The Chairman mentioned Castletroy post office. I have fond memories of the wonderful community that was built around the post office in Castletroy. It is not all about rural post offices. Urban post offices are equally important. For example, I am told the one in Mount Merrion is likely to close soon, which is outrageous. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Viability of and Opportunities for the Post Office Network: Discussion (16 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I have been contacted by a number of people regarding, for example, the credit unions. It strikes me that there is a desire to shut down any sort of community banking. Credit unions are now not accepting deposits from savers of any more than €30,000 where they were accepting deposits of up to €100,000. That will limit their capacity to do anything. I genuinely believe that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Viability of and Opportunities for the Post Office Network: Discussion (16 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The truth is always difficult to take.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Syrian Conflict: Engagement with Non-governmental Organisations (9 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I apologise to the witnesses. I had another engagement this morning and I will read up on what the witnesses have said. We pump in millions of euro in aid. Do the regimes that run these countries care about their own citizens? Do they make any contribution towards the welfare of their own citizens?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Consultation on the National Development Plan (Resumed): Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and for Transport (9 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: There is no need at all for the Chairman to apologise. It is interesting that the Minister talked about the Bianconi coaches. My grandfather was the last coachman in Galway and he drove a Bianconi coach to Clifden, drawn by four horses. Transport in Galway is, therefore, in my blood. I would like to talk to the Minister about this light rail project. Anybody looking at the city of Galway...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Consultation on the National Development Plan (Resumed): Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and for Transport (9 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister. What I heard was encouraging. He has amazed me with his knowledge of every town and village in Ireland. Clearly, he is the right man for the job. The next time he is in Galway, he should go to Blackrock and look at the commemoration to Malachy Craughwell and the Bianconi coach.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Consultation on the National Development Plan (Resumed): Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and for Transport (9 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Chairman for allowing me in. The western rail corridor was mentioned by many members. Having driven trucks all over the country, I was having nightmares listening to the Minister describe various towns such as Tipperary. There is massive------

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Consultation on the National Development Plan (Resumed): Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and for Transport (9 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: -----potential in the north west in terms of both tourism and cargo, such as lo-lo freight, in linking towns as far as way as Ballina and Letterkenny all the way to Cork. Has the possibility of some sort of joint venture or public private partnership been explored, particularly in the context of opening up places such as Westport and Clifden? I can see significant potential for green...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Consultation on the National Development Plan (Resumed): Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and for Transport (9 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: We are very lucky to have a Minister who is prepared to consider all the possibilities. I think it would do significant things for the west in particular and for tourism.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: Guím Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan sona ar an gCeannaire agus ar gach bean sa Teach agus sa tír. At the outset, I compliment the Leader. I listened to her speaking about women in politics on RTÉ a few days ago. She is a powerful leader for women and a powerful example for them to follow. I want to put that on record today. It breaks my heart to come in here today...

Seanad: International Women's Day: Statements (8 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire inniu agus guím Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan sona air agus ar gach duine eile anseo. Tá faitíos orm anois toisc gurb iad an tAire agus mé féin the only men in the room today. We say we choose to challenge. I want to talk about a woman called Maureen Quigley, who chose to challenge. She was born in 1924. Senators can...

Seanad: Private Rental Sector: Motion (8 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Tá mo chuid Gaeilge uafásach ach is Seachtain na Gaeilge é agus, mar sin, caithfidh mé cúpla focal a labhairt as Gaeilge. Tá an-áthas orm a bheith anseo ag labhairt ar an ábhar seo. Tá fíorfhadhb ann leis an earnáil cíosa in Éirinn. It is clear that the rental sector in...