Results 5,541-5,560 of 5,752 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. Once again, it is my pride and honour to be able to address him on this subject. None of us can know what those who are transgender go through. It is an issue I regard as very close to my heart. While it is expertly informed by the report of the gender recognition advisory group and the report of the Joint Committee on Education and...

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: With all due respect to the Chair, there are very few people who have opted to speak on the Bill, which is probably the most important one to come before the Oireachtas in the current session. I ask the indulgence of those who wish to speak on the matter.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: We can take it that I lost 30 seconds the last day and lost 30 seconds today.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I ask for a little bit of liberty.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I will conclude as quickly as I can. The point I am trying to make to the Minister is that the drafters of the Bill have confused the notion of gender identity with the medical transition. There is no need for both. I hate when I am thrown off my line of thought. I only have another four pages to go. I will meet with the Minister of State and I will outline these things. On the medical...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Information Technology in Schools: Camara Ireland (28 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the gentlemen for attending. I am delighted to say that a number of my former students have passed through their organisation on work experience. I commend Camara on its work. As the head of a large computer department, one of my problems every year was how to dispose of machines that were beyond their sell-by dates, so to speak, but still perfectly serviceable. Many times, I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Information Technology in Schools: Camara Ireland (28 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I am sorry to interrupt, but some of us might have to leave the meeting. I hope the witnesses will forgive us if that happens. It is not that we wish to do it, but there are several things happening here at the same time.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I am a proud former sergeant of the 1st Infantry Battalion in Galway. Therefore, I am distressed to find PDFORRA, the organisation which represents rank and file members of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, has had to lodge a case in Europe for official recognition. The case has been lodged under the European Social Charter because PDFORRA has been excluded from national wage...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: I get a sense of euphoria, that in some way the Greek election result will change debt all over Europe. I was somewhat disappointed last night because I thought some of the finance ministers were less than equivocal in their statements on the news. While I support the call for a debt conference, I ask the Leader to arrange a debate in the House on debt and quantitative easing - more of a...

Seanad: Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (22 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: This is my first time to address the Minister in the Chamber and I am proud to so do. I am getting really worried because he is the second Minister today who I have been obliged to congratulate on something. I spoke against the banking inquiry in this House and with one other Senator voted against it. However, as is typical of the Minister, I believe he has done everything he can to leave...

Seanad: Appointments to State Boards: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: They would notice the water damage.

Seanad: Appointments to State Boards: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Just one in three of those surveyed agreed that the changes to the appointments process that were introduced by the current Government had improved the functioning of State boards. In addition, 72% of them said they believed there should be more defined independence from the political system regarding these appointments. That causes a problem. I have much more to say but I will not be...

Seanad: Appointments to State Boards: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: This is my first time to have the pleasure of addressing the Minister. It is rather ironic that I do so on this issue. The very fact that I am standing here tells us that there is something rotten in the State board system.

Seanad: Appointments to State Boards: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Absolutely. Hats off to the Minister. He saw what was happening and acted immediately in September. I admire him for that greatly. It is regrettable that we do not have a single Act that governs appointments to State boards. I agree with Senator Landy that being politically active should not debar someone from serving on a State board. Unfortunately, it always will be the case that the...

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: There will be a fixed charge.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: They will be able to make tea for the Senator when he is canvassing.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Fair play.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: On a point of order, I fully agree with Senator Comiskey that a breach of health and safety on either side is wrong.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister of State has not addressed who is responsible when there is lead in the water.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Gerard Craughwell: Come on, Senator. Spare me.