Results 381-400 of 451 for speaker:Ollie Crowe

Seanad: Business and Covid-19: Statements (30 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Tánaiste for attending. I send sincere best wishes to the people of India in particular, who are going through a very difficult time at the moment, and beyond. Any support the Government can give, must be given. It is important to acknowledge the substantial, unprecedented supports which the Tánaiste has outlined and which the Government has put in place, while also...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: This morning, I want to address the reopening of the hospitality sector. With many pubs having been closed for more than 400 days, it is important this reopening is done in a fair and equitable manner. In particular, traditional pubs, which do not serve food, should be given the same opportunity as the rest of the hospitality sector. I also believe it is important to have an all-Ireland...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Loan Guarantee Schemes Agreements (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) Bill 2021: Waiver of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (20 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the officials for the detailed briefing. The essential role the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland plays is clear. It has provided €1 billion in bank loan guarantee schemes to 8,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic. I note from the information provided that, despite last year's high figures, there is expected to be an increase in demand for the scheme this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Loan Guarantee Schemes Agreements (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) Bill 2021: Waiver of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (20 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: With the challenges in banking due to the recent announcements by KBC and Ulster Bank, will the role of the credit unions be enhanced?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Loan Guarantee Schemes Agreements (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) Bill 2021: Waiver of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (20 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I think all members will echo Deputy Stanton's views. I welcome Mr. Hughes' comments. The large retailers are up 20%, and there will not be an SME or small business left if we leave it much longer. I take it that there is going to be a direction from the Department that click and collect will recommence in the first week of May. That would be very welcome, if Mr. Hughes can confirm that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I wish to raise the issue of the hospitality sector and the challenges it faces after an incredibly difficult 12 months. Those challenges include the obvious issues caused by Covid-19 and endless lockdowns. They also include challenges which have not received the same attention, in particular, the loss of skilled and experienced employees from the sector. This includes head chefs, senior...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Amendment) Bill 2020: Discussion (30 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Chairman, Dr. McGuinness, Mr. Parkinson and Mr. Vaughan for their contributions. I am not opposed to enhancing reporting requirements when the added value is clear but I believe that the added value is lacking in this Bill. Both Dr. McGuinness and Mr. Parkinson have made it clear to me that the reporting systems which are already in place are significant. Strengthening those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Amendment) Bill 2020: Discussion (30 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: If they want to come back in on my contribution I am happy to hear that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Amendment) Bill 2020: Discussion (30 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: It is great Senator Garvey and Deputy O'Reilly are working together this week.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I want to address the decisions facing Cabinet tomorrow as it decides on the next steps with regard to the current level of restrictions.Like all Senators I am sure, I have received many representations on this issue in recent weeks and months. I recognise there is a difficult balancing act in easing restrictions while ensuring we avoid a fourth wave. The current level of restrictions,...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Hospitality Sector: Discussion (23 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Chair for facilitating my contribution this afternoon. I thank the representatives from the Vintners Federation of Ireland, the Licensed Vintners Association, the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation their excellent presentations. As Senator Cassells stated, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I wish to raise a similar issue those raised by Senators Norris and Keogan. All Members will be well aware of the abuse and harassment of elected public representatives, both on social media and offline. It is a problem that appears to have increased significantly in the last number of years both at local and national levels. I will give an example. The current mayor of Galway city,...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: Stop the clock.

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank the Minister, Deputy Martin, for coming to the House. As she is well aware, the Covid-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on the lives of everyone in this country. From an economic standpoint, no sector has been hit harder than tourism.The sector has experienced a €6 billion decline in revenue and the loss of tens of thousands of jobs. As the Minister will be aware, it...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: Is there something he would like to tell us?

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I propose a suspension of the House until 3.45 p.m.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I welcome the Minister. The good news for the House is that he is a great friend of Galway and a regular visitor to our city. He is well familiar with the issues I want to raise in the 90 seconds that I have. To state the obvious, unlike Limerick and Cork the ring road is essential as is its funding.We have committed to it in the programme for Government and I welcome that. As alluded to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of Employment Permits (Consolidation and Amendment) Bill 2019: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I thank Dr. McGann from IBEC and Mr. Berney from ICTU, for their contributions. Overall, the Bill will make a significant impact by allowing greater flexibility for employment permits and modernising the existing legislation. Pre-Covid, there was significant feedback from sectors including agriculture about how challenging it was for operators to fill certain positions. The introduction of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Benefits (1 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, to the House and thank him for his time this morning. I want to raise, and I certainly welcome, the introduction of the benefit payment to 65-year-olds who have worked all their lives. They simply should not have to sign on the live register or seek new work, especially as many have no option but to retire at the age of 65 due to their...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Benefits (1 Mar 2021)

Ollie Crowe: To be clear, my understanding is that the Department issued a statement in early February that everybody between 65 and 66 years of age would be eligible for the payment. Can the Minister of State confirm now that this is not the case and that they must have 13 weeks of paid PRSI contributions in the year they reach 63 or 64 to qualify for the benefit because if they are signing for the...