Results 401-420 of 1,954 for speaker:John Gilroy

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: We did not say that.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: I was not going to speak on this issue, but I feel bound to comment on some of the contributions of my colleagues. I am bemused to hear Senator Mark Daly say Fianna Fáil is against water charges as that party signed up to the measure. If its regime had won out, we would have had water charges of €400 per year for the past three years.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: Regardless of the Senator's objections to my comments, Fianna Fáil signed up to introduce water charges.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: I think the Senator also got his facts wrong on "Tonight with Vincent Browne".

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: It was clear that the Senator had.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: That is solid advice. This morning on "Morning Ireland" I listened to Professor John McHale of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: Professor McHale spoke about the political influence and decisions that had led us into our sorry state of economic catastrophe. He implied that populist decisions had been made and whoever shouted loudest during Fianna Fáil's 14 years in government had received the biggest handouts. The tax base had been reduced to such an extent that, when the crisis arrived, Ireland was affected...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: It is all about the polls and I thank the Senator for reminding me. Of course, there is anger and nobody will suggest Irish Water has been set up properly. There is much frustration within the Government on this issue and if we were to do it again, we would do it differently. It is difficult to understand how a party of the left could consider it better to charge this taxation on labour...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil have constantly stated Irish Water must be paid for through general taxation. Any party purporting to represent the left in Irish politics could not support such a policy.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: Taxation should be reduced on labour, which is what the Labour Party is doing in government. My friend, Senator Sean D. Barrett, may have inadvertently referred to a protest born out of anger. The secretary of the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, was kicked and spat at during that protest and one of the leaders has been identified in the media as a...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: I apologise.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: That is not why.

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. He said it is his first time here. Many stellar political careers have started here and there is no doubt that his will follow that trajectory. Many people have commented on how rapidly the Minister of State has read into his brief and on his deep understanding of it, which is to be commended. SMEs are crucial to the recovery of our economy....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: I will add my voice to the concerns expressed by nurses and midwives about the recent increase in registration fees, representing an 88% increase in the retention fee in just one year. Among my colleagues, there is a distinct feeling that there is no justification for this increase and none has been proposed by the Irish Nursing Board. I raised this issue in the Chamber with the Minister of...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: I cannot support this amendment. I am loath to disagree with my friend and colleague Senator Barrett, who has argued that the Competition Authority is a barkless organisation, but we saw the teeth of that organisation in the recent negotiations on a new GP contract. The ruling from the Competition Authority in that regard was far from barkless. Senator Burke made reference to creating...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: It potentially could.

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: You are not the Chair.

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: In fairness, I do not think the amendment makes any reference to general practitioners; the reference is to registered medical practitioners. I presume the intention is to refer to the appropriate speciality as opposed to the general practitioner. However, I am not in a position to support it. It is well-meaning but is a narrow amendment. Codes of conduct, codes of practice and...

Seanad: Suicide and Mental Health: Statements (11 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. The time available only allows me the merest mention of some of the many challenges facing our mental health services. I would like to talk about them under two headings, one being what we would call operational matters, which are the function of the HSE to deliver. The challenges facing the HSE in delivering these are great and some people...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2014)

John Gilroy: I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming my good friend Councillor Wayne Ford from County Meath to the Visitors Gallery. I wish the Republic of Ireland soccer team success in the match against Scotland on Friday. If the scramble for tickets is a measure of returning interest in the game, it is a good sign. A win on Friday will put us in pole position to qualify. As the Leader recently won...