Results 461-480 of 951 for speaker:Garret Ahearn

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (20 Apr 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for his response. In fairness, I understand that the Minister for Health and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, are in the Dáil taking questions. I welcome the fact that they are committed to the development of a new CNU for older persons in Cashel. That is the most important thing. It is important that there is a commitment in this regard....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I second what Senator Lombard said. It gives me a bit of concern. I am at the stage with my kids where we are looking at "PAW Patrol" and a little four-month-old is turning over. When they get to the 10, 11 or 12 years of age, they will have access to mobile phones. There is no regulation in that regard. We need to have a serious discussion about is matter. The Ardfinnan, Ballybacon,...

Seanad: Sheep Sector: Statements (19 Apr 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister to the Seanad. Like others, I called for this a few weeks ago. I thank the Minister for coming to the House. In this House, as many Senators know, we call for many Ministers to come in but they do not or we cannot find them, or Ministers of State come in from other departments. In fairness to the Minster, he always comes in any time we ask and he takes this...

Seanad: Civil Liability (Schools) Bill 2023: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank her for being here for this important debate. I am covering for Senator Dolan, who could not be here today, but I acknowledge her support for what this Bill is trying to do. I thank the Senators for putting this Bill forward, including Senator Mullen, and for outlining quite well what this entails. An awful lot of it is common sense....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I wish Noel Murphy well on his retirement. In my short time here I have had one or two interactions with him and I found him extremely professional. I am one of those people who have given him awkward things to deal with and he has done them in a very subtle but professional way. I thank him for that and wish him well. I welcome the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I ask for a debate with the Minister for Social Protection on the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, which is a really important provision for people on social welfare and working people on very low incomes. The challenge we have had over the past year is that the increase in the cost of living means everyone is struggling significantly. We need to get to a point where the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I request a debate with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys. We have not had a debate for quite some time about rural affairs and the schemes available for communities. One scheme in particular is popular at the moment. I refer to the community recognition fund, which was set up to support communities that have gone above and beyond in welcoming Ukrainian...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (23 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for being here and taking this important question on Scoil Aonghusa. I acknowledge the Minister of State’s work in recent weeks and months on free book schemes for all special schools in the country. It is really important, as the Minister of State knows because she has been in Tipperary with me. It is important for schools in Tipperary, particularly...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (23 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State very much for her response. This brings me to the confusion the school has. That meeting with the project manager is happening this evening, which is fantastic and very welcome. This is the problem, which I hope the Minister of State's office might be able to help with before that meeting happens this evening. The project manager is of the understanding that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I agree with what Senator Flynn says about someone who agreed to pair with someone who is on maternity leave.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I am only commenting on what another Senator said in this room five minutes ago.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: The only point I am making is that everyone is under pressure in respect of how to vote. People in Clare would understand if the person in question said to them that the reason she cannot vote is because she is covering someone who is on maternity leave. We are trying to change the dynamics in this building to help women, in particular, but also to help everyone with families to be able to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (9 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for taking this important Commencement matter. It is my first opportunity to congratulate the Minister of State on his new role. We in County Tipperary call him, "the Tipperary Minister", because a region of ours is in his constituency. I know from mutual friends we have in Newport and Birdhill that they are very proud of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (9 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State and appreciate his update on Poulavanogue. The problem is the quality of water from the Monroe source, which will now be used instead of Poulavanogue for a period. Monroe was established in the 1990s as a temporary measure and now it looks like it will exist for another ten years. The quality of water that comes from Monroe, which is going to service the town...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I also welcome International Women’s Day. I was laughing to myself when I heard Senator Davitt talking about how he is a house of women and is reminded how lucky he was. I was reared in a house of all boys. You only need one woman to remind you how lucky you are. My mother did that for many years. Now I am in a house with my wife and two boys and we are reminded once again how...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Mar 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the visitors to the Chamber from the UK Embassy. I am sure they were glad to be here for Senator Currie's contribution. I made a wonderful contribution yesterday, for which they were not in attendance. They will be pleased, for obvious reasons, to have been here to listen to Senator Currie's contribution. I ask that the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber and taking this important Commencement matter. When I speak about Clonmel Garda station, I must first recognise that the Minister is responsible for two Departments. Kickham Barracks plays a key role in both Departments. Before I outline my frustration with the Department of Justice and the Government regarding Clonmel Garda station, since I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Garda Síochána (28 Feb 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I appreciate the response and I accept wholeheartedly the Minister's genuine will to get this done. When the new Government was formed in December, the Taoiseach appointed Deputy Donohoe to a new role in public expenditure and delivery on national development plan projects. This is a clear recognition that while we are announcing things and putting money towards things, for some reason some...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Education (28 Feb 2023)

Garret Ahearn: I concur.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Feb 2023)

Garret Ahearn: Today is a very good example of how success has many fathers. I want to echo what was said by Senator Seery Kearney. If we are going to acknowledge the Windsor Framework and the work that has been put into it, we need to acknowledge all the people who have played their part.I acknowledge the Tánaiste's role in it but the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney,...