Results 2,141-2,160 of 5,918 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank Mr. O'Driscoll for coming before the committee. I will not ask any questions on the likely outcome of the commission's deliberations. I welcome as well the members of the commission, who are watching. I am aware of the onerous task the commission has ahead of it. A total of 520 submissions is quite a response from the Republic and I am delighted there has been that response. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Chair. I apologise to Mr. O'Driscoll for coming back in. I refer to the statement in the terms of reference that, "All recommendations by the Commission or the successor body and their implementation must be consistent with national public sector wage policy", and that that means the commission can make recommendations on pay, once they are consistent in that regard. Would Mr....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: Earlier on "Morning Ireland" we heard two young ladies talk about their experience of stalking. They asked that we amend legislation to make stalking a criminal offence in its own right. The two perpetrators in this case ended up being jailed for seven years each with two years suspended. As one of the young women said, the guy who stalked her will be out in three years. I cannot begin to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I support the plan for rural resettlement. I hope it comes to fruition. It is a pity the old scheme was done away with because the rural resettlement scheme was a success in its own small way but I wish the new plan well. The Leader will not be surprised I am on my feet once again because of the Defence Forces. Ireland has a responsibility beyond its borders. We are a member of the...

Seanad: Reports on Department of Health Policy in RTÉ Investigates Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister of State. She is only just in office. Unfortunately, part of her role is to take on issues like this. When I started teaching, I had a wonderful principal by the name of Jack Griffin. His advice to the teachers he hired was, if they placed the student at the centre of everything they did, they would never have a problem with him. A caring State would place the...

Seanad: Living with Covid-19: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. Not unlike her, I will express my condolences to those who have lost loved ones during this horrific period in our history. To lose a loved one is one thing, but to lose a loved one and then be on your own in your grief must be terrible. I compliment the front-line staff, including our hospital workers, cleaners, retail staff and everyone...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister of State is welcome to the House. I must agree with my colleagues, Senators Higgins and Warfield. What we do not want now are short, stop-start measures. We want some degree of certainty. Everybody accepts that this country and the world as a whole will not be back to normal trading and living conditions in 2021. As vaccines are rolled out, we will see slow progress back to...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Mar 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister of State for outlining the situation as it is. I want to acknowledge my colleagues who, like me, are supportive of the legislation he is putting through. I want to put on record that I am 100% supportive of what he is trying to do. However, I have two issues, and the first issue is as follows. There are eminent lawyers in the Chamber. Can somebody explain to me what...

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

Gerard Craughwell: We should have informed the Leas-Chathaoirleach before the House sat.

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.