Results 3,741-3,760 of 5,120 for speaker:Joe O'Reilly

Seanad: Transport and Tourism: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister back to his political alma mater. Deputy Ross is one of our most distinguished alumni and we are delighted to have him here. I will follow the trend set by my distinguished colleague, Senator Richmond, and identify a few specific issues within the Minister's huge brief that I would like him to address. While there is a parochial dimension to what I am going to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Effect of proposed withdrawal of the UK from the EU on the Irish Energy Market: Discussion. (14 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I join in welcoming our guests. As I was voting in the Seanad, I am not sure if this has been touched on. My understanding is the transport sector is the great "offender", if I may use that term, with regard to emissions and it is a very difficult area. There is a reference to the proposal to limit support for biomass in new electricity generation to highly efficient combined heat and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Effect of proposed withdrawal of the UK from the EU on the Irish Energy Market: Discussion. (14 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: Yes. Could that be explained?

Seanad: Action Plan for Rural Development: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I am delighted to welcome the Minister. As her constituency colleague, I know at first hand that she has a genuine passion for rural regeneration and this work. I am happy to note in the plan that there is to be a monitoring commission and that the plan will be monitored constantly. It is not an aspirational document. That merits repetition. I trust that the Minister will update the House...

Seanad: Action Plan for Rural Development: Statements (9 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: In a Brexit situation, even in the lead-in to it, there must be direct support in terms of tax relief and interventions for the agricultural sector in the Border regions, which will be savaged. That is my final appeal. I thank the Acting Chair for her indulgence.

Seanad: Amendments to Councillors' Conditions: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: No. The next two colleagues are sharing their time.

Seanad: Amendments to Councillors' Conditions: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I welcome the Minister to the House. I acknowledge his sincere engagement with this question and that this is the first time that this issue has been debated in a while. I also welcome the representatives from the AILG and LAMA. The councillors are the cornerstone of democracy. They should not and cannot be taken for granted. They act as a buffer...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Proposed Acquisition of Celtic Media by Independent News & Media plc: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I thank the Chairman and I welcome the witnesses. I have five questions and I will put them as succinctly as I can. The first two are to Mr. Pitt. They are effectively around concerns which his "future" employees might have. Could Mr. Pitt have handled the defined benefit scheme changes differently? Could he have communicated it to his editorial staff differently and was the way he did...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Proposed Acquisition of Celtic Media by Independent News & Media plc: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: Not to interrupt, but it creates a great sense of foreboding among members of staff who might be coming in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Proposed Acquisition of Celtic Media by Independent News & Media plc: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: On a point of order, with respect, I do not think it is in order for us to rehash that debate in public.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: The very decisive vote in the House of Commons yesterday has brought into focus the real risk of a hard Brexit if we are not extraordinarily vigilant and hard-working to prevent it from happening. We need a solution for Ireland that is unique. We need a solution that will allow an all-Ireland customs union. That would effectively mean that there would not be a hard border and that we would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network: Discussion (17 Jan 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: This has been an extremely worthwhile meeting, with very interesting and worthwhile presentations. This is a very sensitive and important issue for all of us. The people we represent are watching our performance, with reason. They value the postal service and the network of post offices highly. I do understand there has to be change but they value what exists and the universal services...

Joint Standing Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands: Cathracha Dátheangacha: Gaillimh le Gaeilge (17 Jan 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: Ba mhaith liom na finnéithe a fháiltiú roimh an coiste. Is iontach an rud é go bhfuil siad anseo linn inniu. Chomh maith le sin, gabhaim mo chomhghairdeachas do na finnéithe agus don chathair ar an stádas dátheangach. Is dul chun cinn iontach é agus guím ádh mór air. Tá an cheist chéanna ar m'aigne is a chur mo...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2016: Second Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: I congratulate Senator Leyden on bringing forward this Private Members' legislation.

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2016: Second Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: It is a great personal achievement for him and it is something of which he should be proud. It is important to contribute to the legislative process from the floor of the House as well as participating in Bills the Government presents to the House. I say very well done to Senator Leyden on the Bill. It does not surprise me that he is similarly proactive in this Chamber, as I have worked...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2016: Second Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: The Bill is a good one in principle. It is a very good idea that when a will is made that it would be registered without the contents of the will being in any way revealed. I know Senator Leyden is not suggesting that, but the fact that a will exists should be registered. That is right because it would prevent the will being lost and all the trauma the Senator described of a relative...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: So say all of us.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: I commend the Minister, Deputy Naughten, not only on his frequent appearances in this House but on the competence and enthusiasm he brings to his Ministry. That is important and welcome. I agree with the view advanced by Senator Grace O'Sullivan that a consensus is emerging in this Parliament and throughout the country. There is an agreement, with very few dissenters, on the science in...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate on and subsequent review of the school transport system. The principle behind the system, which is that a child should go to their nearest school, is a good and reasonable one and makes logistical sense from every perspective. However, like every good principle and every good scheme, and it is a great scheme, it needs constant review. There are some...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: I agree with colleagues' remarks about William Trevor. We mourn his passing. Among other works, his short story, "The Ballroom of Romance", will be a jewel for sociologists and historians for generations to come. It evokes and depicts a very glum and dark period in Irish history. It is one we tend to romanticise retrospectively but it does not merit such romanticising. I wish to raise a...