Results 261-280 of 5,918 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: That is fantastic. Nowadays, it is not uncommon when someone books a hotel to get an email asking him or her to rate their experience when they get home. Does the Office of the Ombudsman do that? Back in the day when I used the office - it was an awfully long time ago, let us not go back there - we were still using snail mail and were certainly not using email. Does the Office of the...

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Am I okay for time, Chair?

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: The other thing that bothers me - and certainly from within here it is a problem and if so, it must be a problem for the Office of the Ombudsman - is trying to nail down the lead Department. We find that in so much of what goes on in our society, one part of it belongs to one Department and another part to another Department and trying to get to the person who should answer the question is...

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I note the number of complaints fell between 2022 and 2023. Was that possibly due to people having little more to do with their time due to having to sit at home during Covid?

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I want to deal with the thorny issue of migration, that Mr. Deering dealt with and showed great compassion about when he spoke. I think I am one of the only Members of the Oireachtas who actually went to Sicily to look at the wretched people being brought in from the Mediterranean Sea. The Italian Government invited us out at the time. I do not want to sound cold when I say this. I want...

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I am delighted a man of Mr. Deering's stature has maintained the independence of the office his forbearers had. It is so important we have Mr. Deering there. Most important, I would like the Ombudsman to tell his staff how much they are appreciated. At a time of crisis, the people need somebody they can trust and turn to. Over the 40 years of the Ombudsman's existence, we have always...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome Senator Bradley to the House and congratulate her on her appointment. She can trust in me for any advice she needs about the place. I am one of the few independent voices in here. The Cathaoirleach will recall that during the passage of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 through this House a number of questions were put to the Minister with respect to the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: The Leader will know that over the last few years I have spoken quite a lot on the search and rescue contract that is now passing from CHC to Bristow. Today, I want to draw to the attention of the Leader, and perhaps she will draw it to the attention of the Minister, a crash that took place in February of this year in Norway. I refer to the Norwegian national oil and gas operator. The...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I too wish to be associated with John O'Mahony. He was a very decent man, a towering man. When you met him, you knew you were standing in the presence of greatness. I believe his last interview was given from his hospital bed. That would be the nature of the man. I extend my sympathy to John's family. I propose to amend the Order of Business to increase the time for the Defence...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Yes. I ask that the Cathaoirleach do that. This is very important legislation. I make no secret of the fact that at the outset of the debate, I will ask the Tánaiste to withdraw the Bill and pause the debate altogether. I have legal advice that I will share with him when he comes to the House indicating there are constitutional issues with the legislation. We hear a lot of bad...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Yes.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Under Standing Order 62(3)(b) I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 1: In page 9, lines 10 and 11, to delete “in relation to a political matter or matter of Government policy” and substitute “except on a matter of political controversy”.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Tánaiste back to the House. At the last meeting here his colleague and spokesperson on defence in the Seanad raised a very important issue.It related to members of a GAA club or credit union, for example, and the fact that, here it is required that they state their occupation, they would clearly be recognised and identified as a member of the Defence Forces. On foot of...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Or identifiable.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: We have actually talked ourselves into a more confused state this afternoon.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: The new subsection (1A) states: "(1A) Without prejudice to the Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and any regulations made thereunder, a member of the Permanent Defence Force shall not— [...] (c) address a meeting of a political organisation or society.”. They can attend because they are not specifically barred from attending. That is one of the issues. My colleague,...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Come on. It is there.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: It is the truth.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: The debate on the Bill, disgracefully, has been guillotined. Under Standing Order 62(3)(b), I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.