Results 3,121-3,140 of 5,964 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Mar 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: Do not poke the bear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Mar 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Mar 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I am a former soldier who served in two armies. On Tuesday afternoon in Belfast, the horrors of the Troubles came back to me. I take grave exception to people talking about members of any security force being murderers. I accept that there were rogue groups who murdered people but I draw the attention of the House to Ranger Best, who was taken out of his house in Derry and brought to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Mar 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I reiterate that if security services were involved in incidents - Ballymurphy and Bloody Sunday come to mind - they must answer but the mother of Ranger Best and those who were murdered by the loyalist butchers are also entitled to answers. We need to be real about this.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Mar 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: Many men and women get up early and go to work but cannot live on the wages they are paid.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Mar 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: It is time to make love and stop bickering with each other.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I second the proposal by Senator Ó Céidigh so that we would, through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, organise the event on the UN issue with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the ambassador at some stage. I appreciate that the Cathaoirleach said that it is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges but I would like to put on...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: While we are discussing the issue of transport, we might also consider the Luas. I live along the green line. When the service started, it was a comfortable way to come into town, but it has now reached the stage where, from approximately 7.30 a.m. until 10.30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., it is like getting into a sardine can. Trams are so overcrowded, it is not funny....

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: There was some debate between us as to whether the word "may", where it appears for the second time in the proposed section 45(1), would create a problem. I will leave it to my colleague Senator Norris to confirm this, but I believe we had all agreed that the words "the Commission shall" in subsection (2) removed any element of doubt. On the Minister prescribing a time period, we did not...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I want to clear something up. Regarding what Senator Norris said----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: -----there is something we have got to get clear. What we are talking about is fixing a time for the commission, at the request of the Minister, to report. The point I have been trying to make, and I hope I make it clear, is that there is no simple way to fill a public appointment because, ultimately, it is reviewable by the courts, and I have been involved in public appointments during my...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I may be talking to the wall on this, but I would like to address amendment No. 91e now, if I may.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: We separated those last night.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: Yes. We will stick with amendment No. 91d then. I am really rather shocked that the Minister would dismiss this amendment so lightly.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister is not accepting it, though.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister has been quite definitive in-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister has been quite assertive in rejecting the amendment. That is regrettable.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: I realise we are speaking to an amendment but I want to put on record that I am fully aware of the fact that this Bill has struggled through this House. Debate on it has gone on for many, many hours, and I commend the Minister on his patience as it has gone through the House. However, I will not be threatened that at some stage the CPP or someone else will limit my right and the right of...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: The Acting Chairman had indeed, but I just wish to make the point clear. I call on anyone-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Gerard Craughwell: -----who has looked at the amendments that have been tabled during the debate in this House to show how any of those amendments were vexatious or frivolous. We sought to improve the Bill. We are totally opposed to the Bill. We do not believe it has any purpose in this country and we believe that our Constitution already deals with the appointment of judges. I would like to see a new...