Results 2,501-2,520 of 5,749 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: We are coming up on budget time. I had a communication this morning from a member of the public who is concerned about the contributory old age pension. Every year, the Minister announces increases in social welfare benefits. Generally speaking, we hear that pensions were increased by €5. Since 2012, six streams have been introduced in the pension scheme based on the number of...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: What a horrible thing to say.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: While the Minister sees me as a passenger, I got into the car of my own free will and am delighted to be associated-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: The only one who has had a bumpy ride around here is the Minister.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I admire the Minister for his tenacity and for hanging in there. If we go through Committee Stage today, I will look forward to Report Stage at around Christmas 2020.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: The amendment would make the process of appointment more robust constitutionally and would ensure that the procedures adopted by the judicial appointments commission are those which would have received democratic scrutiny by the Government, which has the exclusive power to recommend judicial appointments to the President. We will withdraw the amendment and reserve the right to reintroduce it...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: We are withdrawing this amendment but reserve the right to bring it back on Report Stage.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 109:In page 38, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following:“(6) (a) Lay members shall not take part in the preparation of a recommendation referred to in this section which concerns a statement made under section 53(1)(b) of this Act or that part of the statement referred which formed part of the Published Statement within the meaning of this Act. (b) Lay...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 109a:In page 38, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:“57. The provisions of this Part shall also apply to the Commission in the discharge of its functions under this Act.”.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 109b:In page 38, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:“57. Where the Commission considers that it is appropriate in any case it may determine to make a recommendation to the Minister without ranking the persons recommended in the order of the Commission’s preference.”.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: This is an issue that has bothered me the whole way through this Bill, namely, that the absolute power with respect to the appointment of judges rests with the Government under the Constitution. Regardless of the findings or deliberations of any commission or committee, at the end of the day, the Minister for Justice and Equality, advising the Government, can pick a candidate who has not...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I appreciate the Minister's willingness to engage on these matters. It is not the first time he has shown a willingness through what has been a fairly lengthy process. I ask that, before we come back to Report Stage, we all sit around the table and have a look at that specific issue, given it is the one that has brought me into this debate the whole way through. If we can resolve that and...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: We might shorten it the next time around.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I have to say that I am delighted the Minister has been counting the hours because the Leader of the House told Senators this morning that it was 102 hours.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 109(f): In page 38, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:“57. No person shall be eligible for appointment to any judicial office within the meaning of this Act unless he or she is a citizen of Ireland.”.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 110:In page 39, line 9, to delete “Act of 2018.”.” and substitute the following:“Act of 2018.(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the advice the Government may give to the President with respect to the appointment by the President, under Article 35 of the Constitution, of a person to be a judge.”.”.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: My colleague has said all that I had intended to say.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I do not wish to delay the Bill.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I wish to place on record my thanks to the Minister and his officials who have sat through the 125 long hours.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I know we are not but we have just hit the last amendment. The Minister has shown a willingness to engage for such a long period of time, and for the most part, with good humour. We need to acknowledge that and I hope he goes away a happy man for the summer.