Results 321-340 of 404 for speaker:Ollie Crowe

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Ollie Crowe: On 1 June, the first day of the meteorological summer, we need to be positive today. I welcome the announcement by the Minister of State, Deputy Jack Chambers, in recent days in relation to crowds return to sporting events. As we are all aware, one of the main joys of summer time for hundreds of thousands of people is attending inter-county championship matches, which they have not been...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: This is my first opportunity to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, back to the Chamber and thank him for his work on the Moorhead report. Councillors throughout the country who, although well entitled to what they got, are thankful for that. I will move on to the issue which is an urgent one throughout the country and especially in the heart of Galway city, where I am from. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I raise the issue of backlogs for driving tests and driver theory tests. As I am sure is the case for most Members, this is an issue I am contacted about daily, particularly from people in Galway city. The Road Safety Authority has confirmed that more than 100,000 people are awaiting a driving test, which is staggering, and a further 100,000 are awaiting a theory test. Given the size of...

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Second Stage (24 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: Not at all. I welcome this topic here this evening. It is an issue I raised myself last year and one I certainly want to see Government advance. It is also welcome that the Government is not opposing the Bill. For too long families have suffered in silence, being forced to use personal leave as they come to grips with a tragedy. Research suggests one in four women has suffered a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Online Content Moderation and Reactivation of Economy: Discussion (19 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Tánaiste for his attendance and time. The role of content moderator is very challenging. Ms Isabella Plunkett told the committee last week of the effect it had had on her personally and how it had started to have serious impacts on her life outside her job. She described the horrible dreams she has and the anguish it causes her, and stated she has had to take the step of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Online Content Moderation and Reactivation of Economy: Discussion (19 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Online Content Moderation and Reactivation of Economy: Discussion (19 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I do not think it is appropriate for the Chair of an Oireachtas committee to criticise a senior Minister when he is not at the meeting. I welcome the Tánaiste's comments on the return of indoor dining in early July. It is vital that happens as soon as it is safe to do so. Will the Tánaiste confirm this will happen if more than 80% of the population have been vaccinated by the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Online Content Moderation and Reactivation of Economy: Discussion (19 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: The guidelines the Department will issue for the reopening of the hospitality sector on outdoor dining and hotels. I spoke to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform yesterday about the wage subsidy scheme. As a person involved in business myself, I tried to outline how vital it is. I welcome the Tánaiste's positive comments and I would greatly appreciate if he could speak to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Online Content Moderation and Reactivation of Economy: Discussion (19 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Tánaiste.

Seanad: Loan Guarantee Schemes Agreements (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) Bill 2021: Second Stage (17 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed briefing and for his constant support for all Senators in this House. The Brexit impact loan scheme is very welcome and much needed. Obviously, it is too early to see the full impact of both Brexit and the challenges that have arisen in recent months. However, the early trade figures from this year certainly provide some indication in that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Online Content Moderation: Discussion (12 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank our speakers, Ms Plunkett in particular. I had read and researched about the role of content moderator. It seems to be most challenging and difficult. As we have heard from the contributions, it is very upsetting. This is unacceptable. Will our guests speak about what they feel is the biggest factor in Facebook not making content moderators employees? Is it solely related to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Online Content Moderation: Discussion (12 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank Ms Crider. It is hard for me to understand a couple of those points. No more than Deputy O'Reilly's points, will the witnesses give a broader sense of the supports that are available? Surely there has to be more.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 May 2021)

Ollie Crowe: Over the next weeks Ireland will remove Covid-19 restrictions, steps which are very welcome. The reopening of libraries today is an especially significant reopening for so many people in communities throughout the State. The communities in Galway city, from Ballybane to Westside to the inner city, are looking forward to being able to attend a library in person, and to making full use of...

Seanad: Business and Covid-19: Statements (30 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Tánaiste for attending. I send sincere best wishes to the people of India in particular, who are going through a very difficult time at the moment, and beyond. Any support the Government can give, must be given. It is important to acknowledge the substantial, unprecedented supports which the Tánaiste has outlined and which the Government has put in place, while also...

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

Ollie Crowe: This morning, I want to address the reopening of the hospitality sector. With many pubs having been closed for more than 400 days, it is important this reopening is done in a fair and equitable manner. In particular, traditional pubs, which do not serve food, should be given the same opportunity as the rest of the hospitality sector. I also believe it is important to have an all-Ireland...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Loan Guarantee Schemes Agreements (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) Bill 2021: Waiver of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (20 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the officials for the detailed briefing. The essential role the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland plays is clear. It has provided €1 billion in bank loan guarantee schemes to 8,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic. I note from the information provided that, despite last year's high figures, there is expected to be an increase in demand for the scheme this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Loan Guarantee Schemes Agreements (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) Bill 2021: Waiver of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (20 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: With the challenges in banking due to the recent announcements by KBC and Ulster Bank, will the role of the credit unions be enhanced?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Loan Guarantee Schemes Agreements (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) Bill 2021: Waiver of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (20 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I think all members will echo Deputy Stanton's views. I welcome Mr. Hughes' comments. The large retailers are up 20%, and there will not be an SME or small business left if we leave it much longer. I take it that there is going to be a direction from the Department that click and collect will recommence in the first week of May. That would be very welcome, if Mr. Hughes can confirm that...

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

Ollie Crowe: I wish to raise the issue of the hospitality sector and the challenges it faces after an incredibly difficult 12 months. Those challenges include the obvious issues caused by Covid-19 and endless lockdowns. They also include challenges which have not received the same attention, in particular, the loss of skilled and experienced employees from the sector. This includes head chefs, senior...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Amendment) Bill 2020: Discussion (30 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Chairman, Dr. McGuinness, Mr. Parkinson and Mr. Vaughan for their contributions. I am not opposed to enhancing reporting requirements when the added value is clear but I believe that the added value is lacking in this Bill. Both Dr. McGuinness and Mr. Parkinson have made it clear to me that the reporting systems which are already in place are significant. Strengthening those...