Results 4,621-4,640 of 4,717 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after "That" and substitute "the Bill be read a Second Time on 31 December 2017.". During the Order of Business, I was struck by a comment made by former Minister, Senator Reilly, when he was referring to the plain packaging of cigarettes. It is probably out of context but I thought it was a good line. He said, "Children are not stupid". He was...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: -----both Senator Warfield and Senator Ruane and their credentials. I agree with them. Unfortunately, due to the Whip, I will not be in a position to support this motion. I am reaching out, however, and I ask the Senators to possibly take on board the Government amendment and look at this as an opportunity. Let us make progress. Let us convince those who are not where we are. Let us try...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: The Senators are able to read the minutes of our parliamentary party meetings in the newspapers but the Seanad group holds itself to a slightly higher standard.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: I was taken aback, because I thought that people were perhaps just not interested in this, that they had moved away. There was, however, a level of vehement opposition. I found myself in that room, like I have found myself in many a room, being an absolute minority with respect to this legislation. Unfortunately, the Government will not be supporting this motion. I personally think that...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Common Travel Area: Department of Justice and Equality (23 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: I open the first public session of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Before we get to the main item of business, I take a quick moment to think of our many colleagues and friends at Westminster following yesterday's awful attacks. We have had a great deal of discussion in recent weeks with our colleagues in both the House of...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Common Travel Area: Department of Justice and Equality (23 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: I thank Mr. Waters for that detailed intervention. It is greatly appreciated. Two Senators have indicated they wish to speak. I will take those two first and allow the officials to respond before anyone else comes in with another round of questions. I will take Senator Joe O'Reilly first and then Senator Gerard Craughwell.

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Common Travel Area: Department of Justice and Equality (23 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: I thank Senator Craughwell. Senators Boyhan and Paul Daly have both indicated but I will let the officials come back in at this stage and then we will have a second round of questions.

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Common Travel Area: Department of Justice and Equality (23 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: I am going to intervene there. This is a discussion about the common travel area primarily, and we will come to these other issues at later meetings.

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Common Travel Area: Department of Justice and Equality (23 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: We might refine it as much as possible.

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Common Travel Area: Department of Justice and Equality (23 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: Does one of Mr. Waters' colleagues want to come in again?

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Common Travel Area: Department of Justice and Equality (23 Mar 2017)

Neale Richmond: We have come to a conclusion at this stage unless anyone else has any more interventions. I thank our first three public witnesses for their appearance today.

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Neale Richmond: I greatly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this debate on a wide-ranging issue. My colleague, Senator Ruane, spoke about emigration from the Famine years. However, we know Irish emigration extends much further back in the past. We had St. Brendan, for example, the Wild Geese and the Ulster Scots who went to America. Irish people can be found all over the world, including...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Neale Richmond: I welcome Vice-President Timmermans. I appreciate his very brief opening address, which is a change from how things are usually done here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Neale Richmond: I can confirm my phone is on aeroplane mode. I appreciate the Vice-President's reassuring remarks about Brexit. Looking for possible solutions to the huge challenge it poses, what is the best forum to submit ideas and suggestions, not necessarily from parliamentarians either here or in the European Parliament, but from civic society - the business groups, the farming lobbies, the NGOs?...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Wild Fires (15 Feb 2017)

Neale Richmond: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to the House and extend my gratitude to the Leas-Chathaoirleach for taking this Commencement matter. Last Friday evening a large gorse fire broke out on a hillside in Carrickmines, very close to the M50 motorway in south County Dublin. The fire raged for an extended period before it was brought under control by a number of fire engines from the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Wild Fires (15 Feb 2017)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Minister for her comprehensive and total reply, for which I am very grateful. I agree with everything she said and I appreciate the actions taken, especially by her Department, in this area. However, I would like to see the agency being slightly more proactive in the future. I think we can always be more proactive in getting the message out there that, not only is there serious...

Seanad: Transport and Tourism: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Neale Richmond: It is harder to get a ticket.

Seanad: Transport and Tourism: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Neale Richmond: I welcome the Minister and thank him for his contribution. I apologise for coming in and going out during this discussion but there is a committee meeting running concurrently. From our previous engagement, I learned that the Minister's is a massive portfolio so I will focus on what some would call a niche part of the sports area, namely, the need for the fast-tracking of the construction...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Neale Richmond: I echo the calls of my colleague, Senator Craughwell, to ask the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to invite the former European Commissioner, Mr. Michel Barnier, to address and actively engage with the House. As the Senator noted, we need to have a discussion on possible and suggested solutions to the challenges we face as a result of Brexit. I call on the Leader to invite every...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Legislative Process (1 Feb 2017)

Neale Richmond: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for dealing with this Commencement matter on what is an important and welcome consultation. In a speech on 16 January, the Minister stated he would commence a short ten to 12 week process of consultation. It is disappointing, therefore, that the Minister has reduced this consultation to only four weeks. In my experience as a county...