Results 3,821-3,840 of 5,112 for speaker:Joe O'Reilly

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: At this stage, the Leader is used to Senators - in some cases, very reasonably - criticising Government agencies or Government Departments. On this occasion, I am happy to be doing the opposite.I want to pay tribute, through the Leader, to Mr. Martin Shanahan, the chief executive officer of IDA Ireland, and then I want to add a request. I pay tribute to Mr. Shanahan for being proactive in...

Seanad: Delivering Sustainable Full Employment: Statements (16 Jun 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: I thank the Acting Chairman for the introduction. I could return some of those compliments and enlarge on them. Be that as it may, I appreciate the kind remarks and wish him well. I know he will chair the session with great skill. I congratulate my great personal friend, the Minister, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, on her appointment. I am delighted for her and I think she will bring to...

Seanad: Delivering Sustainable Full Employment: Statements (16 Jun 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: I have so many points I would like to make. I have not got used to the time constrictions of the Seanad yet.

Seanad: Delivering Sustainable Full Employment: Statements (16 Jun 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: The whole issue of full-time carers is an interesting one. If that were upgraded and got more status, we could create jobs. Finally, I am well aware of the achievements in spreading jobs regionally, but I am anxious that we get far more IDA Ireland itineraries into the rural areas. Will the Minister look at the shortage of IDA Ireland itineraries in areas like my own constituency of...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: I join the speakers who expressed sympathy following the horror and human tragedy in Orlando. The specific issue I wish to raise is Mr. Justice O'Higgins's report. The report, which is excellent, has generated an enormous amount of coverage on all national media, including social media. That is reasonable given that it is a huge and important report. One element, however, that received no...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (8 Jun 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: Despite my youthful appearance and status as a new Senator, I have the distinction of having come into the Seanad with the Cathaoirleach in 1989. I have very fond memories of that. It is for that reason I rise to congratulate him. Since that time, I have known him as an absolute gentleman. He brings his gentlemanly qualities into his interaction with colleagues. They are a facet of all...

Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: Ba mhaith liom mo chuid ama a roinnt leis an Teachta Seán Kenny.

Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: Before I get into the specific remarks I want to make about this legislation, I want to record my complete support for the words of my colleague, Deputy Ó Caoláin, regarding the four women who are not yet included in the scheme of compensation for the Dr. Neary scandal. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and her colleague, the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, to look at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Year of Development: Discussion (27 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: I have been asked by my colleague, Senator Aideen Hayden, to apologise on her behalf for the fact that she had to leave prematurely. She was keen to congratulate the Dóchas representatives on their good work and applaud the presentations made. She will probably meet the members of the deputation later. I am happy to join her in making those positive comments on the work of...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, has just set out very clearly how the Government has dismantled the traditional appointment system to State boards, made it fair and open and took it away from being the preserve of political patronage and the traditional inner circle. He set out the situation lucidly and I do not propose to repeat those points. In his...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: -----and the dignity of those in need.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: Some points merit repetition. The core social welfare rates were maintained right through the recession. That is an achievement of the Tánaiste and the Government. Free travel was protected. The respite care grant has been fully restored to €1,700 and it was never less than approximately €1,400. Two weeks of paternity leave have been introduced. A modest but...

Hospital Emergency Departments: Motion [Private Members] (14 Jan 2016)

Joe O'Reilly: It is important at the outset to establish what has been achieved to date and to acknowledge the proactive leadership role of the current Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and that of the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch. For 2016 health will have funding of €13.195 billion for current expenditure and €414 million for capital expenditure. This represents increases of €900...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Current Developments in Northern Ireland: Discussion on Fresh Start Agreement (17 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I join the Chairman and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in congratulating the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, and his team on their excellent work in Northern Ireland. I know from the remarks of our Chairman and other anecdotal information that he, in particular, put in a strong personal commitment and I thank him for it. It is appreciated. I also ask the Minister of State to convey our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Court of Auditors Annual Report 2014: Mr. Kevin Cardiff (16 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome Mr. Cardiff and his team. I echo the Chairman's first question because many people will be anxious to know the process by which we have arrived at being net contributors and will be concerned to think we are borrowing to contribute. They will also be concerned because they are still suffering the effects of our extraordinary and profound recession. People want to know the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Court of Auditors Annual Report 2014: Mr. Kevin Cardiff (16 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: Over very small parcels of land that are effectively under the ownership of-----

Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (15 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I congratulate my good friend and colleague, Deputy Willie Penrose, on his courageous and far-seeing work. He pioneered the Bill which is his achievement. He has been working on it for a long time and brought all of his professional skills to it. Well done to him for this reforming and excellent legislation. There are three reasons the Bill is good. First, it will encourage creditors...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Alleviation (10 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I am sorry to interrupt. Will the Minister of State consider reading the second part of your script at the end? Is that acceptable?

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I wish to share time with Deputy Neville.

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Dec 2015)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Bill and commend this proactive Minister of State on the Bill, which reflects the recommendations of the expert group on the Mental Health Act 2001. The legislation is progressive and to be welcomed in that regard. Fundamental to everything we do in the area of mental health must be the absolute dignity of people with mental health issues and respect for and full...