Results 381-400 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

James Reilly: On the issue of commercial premises costs, the witness mentioned large urban areas and central locations. I ask him to explain why it is important to locate in large urban centres rather than on the periphery, given the IT nature of insurance nowadays and so forth. The last issue I wish to raise is that of bench-marking awards. When one looks at the UK, for example, the average award for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

James Reilly: I am sorry to interrupt but a vote has been called and I must leave, which is unfortunate because I am very interested in Mr. Thompson's answers. Senator Aidan Davitt has kindly offered to take over.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

James Reilly: It is the Finance Bill so I must be there.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2017)

James Reilly: This is a Second Stage speech.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2017)

James Reilly: Yesterday, we had a visit from the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Community and Local Government, Deputy English, and a surprise visit from the Minister for Housing, Community and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to Fingal to look at a particular type of pre-made construction. These are very fine steel structure houses where most of the work is done in factories,...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2017)

James Reilly: Today's edition of The Irish Timescarries a story outlining how three court cases objecting to the new runway at Dublin Airport were dismissed. I raise this because I have raised before the issue of the Minister and the clarity we require from him on the matter of the second runway. Initially the Irish Aviation Authority was the anointed arbitrator. After a long and due consideration, the...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements (Resumed) (15 Nov 2017)

James Reilly: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. I also welcome the fact that there has been an increase in the health budget this year, after several years of increases. That is truly welcome because for many a year when I was Minister for Health all we had was a diminishing budget. Health is such a huge area that it is not possible in five minutes to address it comprehensively in any...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2017)

James Reilly: I echo what Senator Ray Butler spoke about, namely, rates, and the fact that business is only recovering now from those hard years of recession. Having survived that, to be faced now with what looks to be an increase in rates is very worrying for people, especially in towns such as Balbriggan and Rush which have struggled through the recession but are coming out of it. The reason I rise...

Seanad: Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2017)

James Reilly: The Seanad had a full discussion of the Bill. This is a technical issue involving the renaming of the Bill. There is little more to be said.

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

James Reilly: I very much welcome this Bill and the Minister's determination and that of the Taoiseach to see that it is carried through. I also welcome his opening remarks and his commitment to give clarification to those who have some degree of reservation about this. There are many striking resemblances between this public health policy initiative and that relating to our ongoing campaign, struggle...

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

James Reilly: I will be very brief.

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

James Reilly: I accept that but I am sure that being a fair minded person if the Leas-Chathaoirleach allows one person speak twice to the amendment he will allow another.

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

James Reilly: I will allow Senator McDowell digest that comment before I speak. Senator McDowell is missing the key point here. I know he speaks from a certain point of view but the bottom line is that alcohol is the substance that is the mind-altering, body-damaging agent which we are attacking here, not any form or container of alcohol. We have been through all of this. The damage is done by alcohol...

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

James Reilly: I said I would be brief and I will finish with this because it will save me speaking on the next section. Alcohol is an agent that damages one's mitochondria, which are the engines of every single cell in the body. That is why it is so damaging throughout the physical system. We have heard Senator Freeman speak on the damage it can do to mental health as well. This Bill concerns alcohol...

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

James Reilly: I welcome this section on labelling and consider it critically important. Information is power; knowledge is power. The public has not been getting information. I am particularly pleased about the attention drawn here to the calorific content of alcohol and the amount of obesity it causes. As I have mentioned before, alcohol causes gastritis, which makes one want food; it causes...

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

James Reilly: During my period as Minister for Health I said at many conferences that politicians were to blame for much of the lack of progress in many areas and in particular in health. It is much more politically attractive or sexy to open an MRI scanner, a new hospital or a new primary care centre than it is to implement a public health initiative that will save many more lives on an ongoing basis for...

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

James Reilly: As recently as a few weeks ago a representative of that industry told us that alcohol was not a carcinogen when the WHO has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that it is. I will not repeat what I said earlier about the illnesses it causes. A critical part of the Bill relates to alcohol being not readily visible, which is essential. I disagree with those who say it will not make any...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (26 Oct 2017)

James Reilly: I thank Senator Clifford-Lee for sharing her time. I raised this issue on the Order of Business yesterday. This situation is intolerable for the children and the teachers. I will not reiterate Senator Clifford-Lee's words which so clearly outlined the problems. Yesterday, I visited the school after I left here. The portacabins or prefabs are in a desperate state. They have been repaired,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (26 Oct 2017)

James Reilly: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing the debate. I also welcome our guests in the Gallery from St. Molaga's who are parents. I wish to say three things. One line in the presentation stuck out. It reads: "In that regard I understand that the Department is currently preparing a project brief." That information has not seeped through to the school, which has been given a flat nothing and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (26 Oct 2017)

James Reilly: No, I meant action was my message.