Results 5,001-5,020 of 5,763 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I draw attention to the Web Summit which has started in the RDS. I have often been criticised for being unduly critical of the Government but I compliment the Minister, Deputy Bruton, who went to the summit today. If Senators have not attended, I recommend that they do so. Without doubt it is one of the greatest technological and innovative centres one will find in Europe. There are...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: That is very magnanimous.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I support Senator Susan O'Keeffe's request for a debate on technological universities. I am somewhat concerned that we are moving forward and trying to develop new universities while not at all being sure that the plans will lead to an improvement in society. I also support Senator John Crown's proposed amendment to the Order of Business. Sadly, the great Irish boxing coach Billy Walsh...

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I had intended to speak against Senator van Turnhout's amendment but I am delighted that she added the last few lines. Few in this House have defended the rights of children as much as she has. In standing up to speak against what she has just said I had that at the back of my mind. Senator van Turnhout has worked on getting the Bill moved through the...

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I appreciate where the Senator is coming from but some communities in this country do not hold the same views as us. We are now a multi-ethnic country with various religious beliefs and ethnic and cultural beliefs that will cause problems. I am delighted she will not press the amendment and will not impede the passage of the Bill.

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: On public service pensions, it is a fact, one that comes before conferences year after year, that public servants whether single or married are forced to pay for widows and orphans in their pensions. The only people who got a moratorium in this regard are members of the clergy. This provision has been challenged many times by teachers. Like Senator Norris, I cannot see how there is an...

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I compliment the Minister on the wonderful job she did and her sensitive handling of an issue that was very difficult. I said some days ago that she is one of the people I hold in the highest esteem, and I must reiterate that today. Let me turn to the people of the "Yes" campaign on the ground. They awakened a political movement that rocked this State to its very foundations. They knocked...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Grangegorman Development Agency: Chairperson Designate (21 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome Mr. Cussen. As outlined by him this project is without doubt one of the most exciting this country will see for many years to come. I hope Mr. Cussen will forgive my impertinence but we are in public session and I believe the public has a right to know a little more about Mr. Cussen the man. I am aware of Mr. Cussen's former position in the Department of Education and Skills....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Grangegorman Development Agency: Chairperson Designate (21 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I know the three Educate Together schools that opened this year are under the patronage of different bodies. One is under an education and training board, another is under the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools, ACCS and the third is under the Joint Managerial Body, JMB. I do not think Educate Together can be patrons per se of a given school.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Grangegorman Development Agency: Chairperson Designate (21 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I think Mr. Cussen dealt with it very well. He mentioned the legal issue that he cannot discuss. As we bring these various groupings together, there is always a tendency to rush towards the High Court to resolve problems. I assume that as chairperson, one of Mr. Cussen's critical roles will be to try to get the various interest groups and agencies to work together. I was looking for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Grangegorman Development Agency: Chairperson Designate (21 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: On the trade union issue, I do not believe it falls within Mr. Cussen's remit, but I understand the position of my colleagues. The only fear of the technological university staff is that Grangegorman will become the centre for levels 7, 8 and 9 and they will be relegated to dealing with lower levels. However, I doubt Mr. Cussen's office can do much about that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Remit of Ombudsman for Children in School Complaints: Discussion (21 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I also congratulate Dr. Muldoon on his appointment. There can be no doubt as to Deputy Daly's commitment. As an educator and someone who managed a school himself, it is particularly poignant that he raised this matter today, and I am impressed by the way he spoke. I could not support him more if I tried. Deputy O'Brien is right, though. We need to go further, because some of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Remit of Ombudsman for Children in School Complaints: Discussion (21 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Everybody in this room is in agreement on the matter in any case. Reference was made to a case where a student became pregnant and subsequently sought to return to school as a mother. What this case illustrates is that we really are a nation with two sets of standards. We apply particular standards to one issue but all those nice principles go out the window in another area. We must deal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Remit of Ombudsman for Children in School Complaints: Discussion (21 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Would the issue of last minute examinations come into that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Remit of Ombudsman for Children in School Complaints: Discussion (21 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: After leaving these meetings, Dr. Muldoon must feel nothing but education exists in our heads. I can reassure Deputy Daly in that I do not think the teaching unions would have any difficulty whatsoever with an education ombudsman, provided he she did not stray into the area of teacher discipline. We have the Teaching Council to look after that. That brings me back to Dr. Muldoon's office...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Like all things, we destroy them.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I rise to request that sufficient speaking time be granted to allow all Members to make their contributions to the debate on the Marriage Bill later today. I have raised the matter of speaking time for Independent Members on a number of occasions since I was democratically elected to this House last year. I am long enough around to know that every organisation must have its standing orders...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I accept that but there are issues with respect to this matter and if I would be allowed to conclude what I stood up to say, it might clarify them. This House and its Members have long been accused of being a useless drain on public moneys. It is hard to defend this view when some who have been given the privilege to serve do not bother to turn up to debate some of the most important,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: -----notwithstanding my attendance record.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: If the Leas-Chathaoirleach allows me to finish he will understand from where I am coming on this.