Results 561-580 of 951 for speaker:Garret Ahearn

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I agree with the Leas-Chathaoirleach that it is important to respect the fact that we all have our own opinions. However, we cannot have separate facts. People must accept what is fact and what is not. We only have to look at Russia where the majority of people support the war in Ukraine because they are receiving disinformation rather than factual truth. That is, however, a much longer...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2022)

Garret Ahearn: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (5 Jul 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber today and in particular for all the work she is doing and the commitment she has made in the past two years in regard to special education and inclusion. It is hugely significant. The impact is evident from the numbers of people working in the sector such as special needs assistants, SNAs, and the number of new classrooms being opened....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (5 Jul 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for her response and I am grateful that she will examine this issue. The problem will become more serious as time passes because of the amount of money the Minister of State has allocated to special classrooms and occupational therapy classrooms. If the Minister of State were open to this suggestion, it would be important for her to visit Ardfinnan National...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (5 Jul 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State. I welcome the Bill and it is not before time that it has been brought through. I recognise the amendments have been ruled out of order due to the potential cost to the Exchequer but, to be fair to small businesses, this is in recognition of the fear they have of the cost element of this measure coming through. To be fair to the Tánaiste, when he was here...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I want to pick up on the comments from Senator Mullen earlier on comments made by Deputy Nolan. I do not doubt the Senator's sincerity whatsoever but I am from a constituency where this sort of conversation or tone has been happening in recent weeks. Colleagues might have listened to a disgraceful interview on "Today with Claire Byrne" this morning. Those are not the views of people in...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: Before I start, I wish to welcome my colleague, Senator Maria Byrne, and her guests, Phyllis Quinn and Elenora Corneille. We are glad to have them.

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister for coming today. My colleague, Senator Joe O’Reilly, who is the spokesperson on foreign affairs and defence could not be here, so I am covering for him. As the Minister said, this is a technical Bill but, essentially, it is quite simple as well. All we are trying to do is have the military and the Defence Forces be in line with what An Garda Síochána...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: Now.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: Now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: European Works Councils and Related Irish Legislation: Discussion (22 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: The Deputy can go first. I have no questions at the moment.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Built Heritage Protection) Bill 2022: Second Stage (16 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I acknowledge the role of the Cathaoirleach in Senator Norris's portrait being displayed in Leinster House. It is very fitting. I was going to say it is long overdue. It is not long overdue but it is certainly very fitting that it has been done. It is well deserved given Senator Norris's time, service and dedication to the public over a long period of time. As someone who is a relatively...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome to the Gallery the Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Councillor Marie Murphy. I thank the Tánaiste for bringing the Bill before the House. At the end of his contribution, he said some people will think we have not gone far enough and other will say we have gone too far. What everyone agrees on is that this Bill is needed. As a committee, we had countless...

Seanad: Cost of Living: Motion (15 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: The Minister is very welcome. I will put this in a way that the people who are in the squeezed middle have been described to me recently, namely, those who feel that they have to pay for everything and have nothing left. They have their monthly income. They then have their mortgage and childcare - which amounts to a second mortgage - to pay for. As a result of what has happened in the...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (14 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: There is a phrase used quite often in Ukrainian politics that states this is not how they normally do things. This is not how we normally do things and this is not how this normally comes about. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing it to happen. I thank Ms Bridget Doody, the Seanad team and Ms Sheila Ryan in protocol. How this came about was unusual and I acknowledge on the record what...

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I am sharing time with Senator O'Reilly.

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute. I had a busy morning and have only just come back on time, as I wanted to make a contribution on this important matter, which affects many people in Tipperary. We have many beekeepers in the county and Clonmel is the home of honey. It is an important sector for us. I acknowledge the work that the Minister of State has done on this matter...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2022)

Garret Ahearn: I join previous speakers in offering my condolences to former Senator Mary Jackman's family. She was a very distinguished public representative for many years. This is a very tough time for her family. Not many people will know that Mary Jackman was originally from Tipperary and was a member of the Furlong family from the Cappagh White area. I pass on my condolences to them. She was a...