Results 381-400 of 4,178 for speaker:Paul Gavan

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Paul Gavan: I thank the Acting Chair. The Minister of State is welcome back. With regard to amendment No. 8, if we want this position to be a truly transforming one for local democracy, the position of mayor must be the sole focus of anyone elected. To allow for other employment during the term of office would be a definite signal to the electorate that this is not a role that has value. If it is to...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Paul Gavan: The Minister of State could save time.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Paul Gavan: On a point of order, and I mean this respectfully, the Minister of State is speaking so fast that I cannot understand what he is saying. I know he wants to get the Bill through, but I ask him to speak at a pace that we can understand. I want to listen and respond.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Paul Gavan: I think we are almost out of time but I will say, and I mean this respectfully, I am so disappointed. The interpretation of the plebiscite the Minister of State has included in this Bill is so conservative. If we were to ask the people of Limerick if they would like their mayor to tackle the issue of waste management, they would tell us that of course they would. The idea that it would...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Paul Gavan: Not just yet. What time are we due to conclude the debate?

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Paul Gavan: That is good because I have an extra five minutes. I wish to make a point in all seriousness about the inclusion of these amendments. I acknowledge the fact that the Minister of State has answered on the policing issue by saying the community safety partnership has not yet been set up and has expressed the wish that the mayor will be chair. That is now on the record of the House, which I...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Paul Gavan: I report progress.

Seanad: Death of Former Taoiseach: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Feb 2024)

Paul Gavan: I want to, on behalf of not just myself but my colleagues in Sinn Féin, offer our condolences to John's family, to the Fine Gael party and in particular, Deputy Richard Bruton, who I have got to know quite well through our work together on the enterprise committee and who I have the height of respect for. There is no doubt that John Bruton made a very significant contribution to Irish...

Seanad: Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Feb 2024)

Paul Gavan: The Minister of State is very welcome. The Bill is required for Ireland to participate fully in some of the institutional mechanisms available in Europe to support the people, the economy and the infrastructure of Ukraine. The Bill seeks to enable the State to take part in donor and trust funds that have been established by the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2024)

Paul Gavan: Not at all, a Chathaoirligh, you are the finest. With regard to the Commencement matter this morning, I, like all Members, put on record my solidarity with Senator Clonan. On countless occasions, Deputy Quinlivan and I have tried to get answers in respect of University Hospital Limerick and the trolley crisis there, but we are yet to have a line Minister come to the House to deal with a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2024)

Paul Gavan: Well said.

Seanad: Digital Services Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 Jan 2024)

Paul Gavan: The Minister of State is welcome. Sinn Féin is supportive of this Bill and the EU Digital Services Act as it seeks to regulate very large online platforms and provide a more equitable online environment. The Bill aims to address illegal and harmful content. It is hoped it will also rein in the powers of big tech and give Internet users a bit more control over their digital lives....

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 Jan 2024)

Paul Gavan: It is great to see our colleagues here today. They are very welcome. Sinn Féin will be supporting this Bill. I will begin by quoting a speech made by Deputy Mark Ward last year when he was speaking on this Bill in the Dáil. He said: We need to ensure that children are not groomed into crime and that they can ... be children - playing football, taking music lessons, hanging out...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Paul Gavan: I want to begin by joining with others in offering my condolences and those of my party to the family of Mr. John Connor. The restoration of the Executive and Assembly is very good news for all of the people of Ireland. It allows for the full operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all its interlocking institutions, especially the all-island North-South institutions. It is an...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: Listening to our colleagues, Senators Mullen and Keogan, brought me back in time to 1983, when I first got involved in political action. I campaigned against that awful eighth amendment. Their speeches brought me back to a time when they were the dominant voices. That suffocating oppression of women was mainstream and so strongly in place that it was a horrendous time. As a result, each...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: Well said.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I thank all the witnesses for their presentations. I am very new to this committee and I am on a learning curve. I have huge respect for my colleagues who have spoken already because I can see their passion in trying to change things. It is great the way you have got this committee working, Chair. There seems to be a real commitment to try and deliver short- and medium-term changes. I am...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: One of the key things we need to do - I am sure everyone will support it - is to hold the Department to account on this as quickly as possible.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: The word that comes to mind is "empowerment". The witnesses are engaged in a process of empowerment which is fantastic. My request is that we - I know the witnesses already have it in hand - get the Department before the committee and hold it to account on this as soon as possible because it is entirely unacceptable and to be frank, I think it is a clear example of institutionalised racism,...