Results 5,461-5,480 of 5,763 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: While I accept the Minister's word, he and I will come and go and the Bill will remain. I am not so sure I would trust every future Minister not to expand the powers. While I understand the reason the Minister is keeping the power in reserve, the trade union movement is totally opposed to it and I stand four-square with it against any form of fee for any reason. In the Minister’s...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: We are not going around in circles. This provision places the Bill at direct odds with the trade union movement in general.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister said that while the general provision is there, he would use it only in a specific case. He then went on to qualify this and say that for some other subjective reason which may arise, and which is not known today, he, or some future Minister, may decide to extend the provision. We should not keep the section, however if we must, I concur with Senator Norris that we should...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I have. I plead with the Minister at least to give Members the hope that he may revert on Report Stage and to not allow this matter to be pushed to a vote at this point, because I really seek to have this section removed.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I join with colleagues in welcoming the news from Apple that it is to set up a new facility in Athenry not too far from the village of Craughwell in Galway - a well-named village. I am sure that the new impetus in the quest to drive industry to the west is in no way attributable to my colleagues, the Independent Deputies from that area. I am sure the Government side will forgive me for...

Seanad: Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Second Stage (24 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I am one of the few Members of this House who worked in a Magdalen laundry. As the son of a gas fitter, I frequently visited the Magdalen laundries in Galway to repair water heating systems. I have two abiding memories from that time. One is of the oppressive heat in the laundries. The second is of the silence among, in some cases, beautiful young women. Nobody spoke to us. We just went...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I will not take up a lot of the Minister's time other than to agree with everything said by Senator Norris. This is a tremendous Bill. There are many good features to the Bill. The amendments being brought forward by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, a firm of solicitors, Senator Norris, Senator Cullinane, various other people and me are being brought forward in good faith to seek as...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: On amendment No. 15, I appreciate the Minister stated that it is catered for in other legislation. The legislation before us is attempting to bring together all the strands which have made industrial relations confusing and difficult for people to pursue claims. They have not been sure whether something belongs rightly with a rights commissioner, the Labour Court or the EAT. This...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: We reserve the right to bring those amendments back on Report Stage.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I concur with what my colleague Senator Norris said. I have been before the Labour Court and rights commissioners on many occasions and while I respect that individuals have a right to choose whomever they want to represent them, we have a responsibility to ensure that it is a competent person. I will be accused again of supporting the creation of a nanny state. I have seen too many...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The matter is self-explanatory and I concur with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I accept the Minister's comments and there is no doubt eminent legal professionals and public servants will apply for these jobs. There is a huge difference, however, between being suitably qualified and having the experience to run the position. Employment cases and employment law can be extremely difficult and specialism is required, which can only be gained through experience. I will...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: If I am fishing for sharks, I would rather fish where the sharks are rather than bother myself with salmon and the like.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I find myself in total agreement with my colleague, Senator Cullinane. I have been involved in workplace relations committees from local branch level through to national level, and the level of ignorance with respect to knowledge of employees' rights is unbelievable. What Senator Cullinane is asking for here, and I look forward to him tabling an amendment on Report Stage, is basic...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I support Senator Quinn's amendments, which many may find a little surprising. I agree wholeheartedly with what he said. I have, however, one caveat which, if these amendments are accepted, I will address by way of amendment on Report Stage - namely, that where a copy of a document is taken it be certified as a true copy of the original document. I do not want to see a situation whereby a...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I move amendment No. 42: In page 26, line 35, to delete "shall not" and substitute "made to the Inspector after receiving a caution shall".

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I wish to refer to amendment No. 42.