Results 3,841-3,860 of 5,327 for speaker:Joe O'Reilly

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I join colleagues in supporting the principle, concept and objectives of labelling as set out under section 11. Senator Colm Burke's point that labelling should be simple, and messages should be short and easily understood, is a good one. I commend to the Minister that the need for simple messages should be taken on board in a big way in the later regulatory stages. I suggest that market...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: The small shopkeepers and small business people whom I have met on this issue and who have approached me have a number of things in common. I have not yet met one who is a proponent of the abuse of alcohol and who would, for one moment, wish to let alcohol become rampant in society. In actual fact, the small shopkeepers I have met are the people who sponsor everything in their communities....

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: Will the Leader invite the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to come to the House for a discussion on the school meals programme and after-school care services? The Taoiseach talks regularly and aptly about the need to create a republic of opportunity. No schemes are more beneficial to children and creating a level playing pitch for young people than the school meals...

Seanad: An Ghaeilge: Ráitis (25 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus an Seandadóir McFadden. I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. Tá sé soiléir go bhfuil sé an-díograiseach agus an-éifeachtach sa Roinn. Tá ár n-oidhreacht, ár stair, béadoideas ár dtír, ár scéalaíocht,...

Seanad: Situation in Catalonia: Statements (25 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I thank Senator Feighan for sharing time with me. We have to recognise at the outset that Catalonia has long had a distinctive culture, history, and social, economic and geographical conditions. It is a distinct region and its autonomy has been recognised in the past, in 1979 for example, though subsequent rulings of the constitutional court have diluted that somewhat resulting in later...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations: Discussion (17 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome all the witnesses before the committee and thank them for their presentations. In deference to the fact that the witnesses presented their cases so succinctly, I will try to stick to specific questions of which I have a number. My first set of questions are for Mr. Matt Collins, assistant secretary of the Department. Mr. Niall Murray made a very serious allegation, which is not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations: Discussion (17 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I have two specific questions for Mr. Cooney. What cost will farmers incur if there is no financial assistance to remove the tyres if farmers have changed to using round bales? The use and type of tyre must be registered. Will the scheme impose an administrative burden on farmers? I have done my best to keep to questions. The issues I have highlighted are of real concern. All of them...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: There is a unanimous view, which I have picked up anecdotally everywhere, that the Taoiseach and Government Ministers deserve congratulations for the way in which they managed this situation and that their clear messaging and leadership was exemplary. I am impressed that has been acknowledged across the floor today. The agencies, An Garda Síochána, the Army and all the various...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Resumed) (5 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister and Minister of State. At the end of June, a total of €28.2 million had been spent under this subhead. Expenditure is 15% below the mid-year profile of €33.4 million. Does that suggest we are under-spending? Are the moneys not being taken up and used? If so, is that a concern for the Minister? How would he like to see the matter rectified? I support...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Resumed) (5 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: Is the Minister of State satisfied that there are sufficiently robust safeguards in respect of gold mining? Are the safeguards being kept under review from an environmental point of view? There is concern in a community in County Cavan over prospective mining in that county and I understand there has been an enormously hostile reaction on the part of a community in Tyrone to gold mining...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Resumed) (5 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: It would remiss to not contribute quickly to this. I second the remarks of Senator Leyden. Mr. Cosgrave was an extraordinary patriot. He gave exemplary public service and had absolute integrity. He is a role model that we cannot aspire to properly imitate but we should certainly make some effort.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 and Retransmission Fees: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I apologise for not being here to hear the entire debate. I was caught in the Chamber and am at a disadvantage. On a slightly lighter note, I note that on the bottom of page 3 of the statement received, it is stated that without TV3, viewers would be reliant on State-funded television news, which is not ideal for a functioning democracy and a blow to plurality. It is not the view of most...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 and Retransmission Fees: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: That is not my question. I have just begun to read the written copy of the presentation and Mr. Kiely might elaborate on the point - which seems to make sense to a layperson - that there should be a certain rationalisation and collaboration between RTE and TV3 in certain areas to deal with competition and minimise costs. The presentation cited the fact that this has happened with ITV and...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme: Statements (3 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, to the House. This is the first occasion publicly I have had to congratulate him on his appointment. I acknowledge the huge energy, commitment and activity he has brought to the role since his appointment. He participated in a public meeting in my area in Bailieborough, County Cavan, on this very issue. There was good participation from...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme: Statements (3 Oct 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: Senator Feighan’s point was correct and the Minister of State should be cognisant of it. Many people have lost through bank shares and pensions. Many people have a huge issue here but are too proud to say it. They will not go on the Joe Duffy show or talk about it publicly because it is a private but distressing reality. It needs to be addressed in this context. This has been a...

Seanad: Mid-Term Review of Capital Plan: Statements (27 Sep 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. It is my first opportunity to congratulate him in public on his appointment as Minister of State. Knowing Deputy O'Donovan, as I do, over a number of years, he brings great ability and energy, and high principle to the office and I wish him well in it. Through a lot of hard work, great effort and great courage on the part of the previous...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I ask the Leader to facilitate as a matter of urgency a special debate on the cancellation of bus services in the east of the country over the past few days. Sixteen bus services have been cancelled, including routes to Cavan, Kells, Athboy and Wicklow. Adequate notice is not being given, which is resulting in people standing at the sides of roads waiting for buses that will not come. The...

Seanad: National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is a particular pleasure given that in all his years in public life, he has been a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities. Now he is a very proactive Minister of State who has hit the ground running and is getting results in this sector. We now believe we have a Minister in place who has a true passion for and a real belief in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I join colleagues in expressing gratitude to the Cathaoirleach, the staff, the Leader and everyone here who made this a successful term. I wish my colleagues a good holiday. I echo the congratulations of Senator Paddy Burke to Commissioner Phil Hogan on his unique achievement in receiving the medal of honour in Austria. It is a mark the esteem in which he is held across the EU. We are...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Joe O'Reilly: I ask the Leader to postpone a decision on the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017. All Stages should not be taken today. The issue needs further reflection and consideration. It breaks a very important Irish tradition and goes against health and anti-drink strategies and policies. It is offensive to many religious groupings, will not assist tourism and is a bad proposition. It is...