Results 661-680 of 1,000 for speaker:John McGahon

Seanad: Broadband Roll-out: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: When I think back, hindsight is a beautiful thing, when one thinks about it. I tend not to be too party political in the Seanad, but in 2017 and 2018, the Taoiseach at the time, Deputy Varadkar, championed this issue when there was a chorus of people telling him it was too much, too expensive, too ambitious, it was not going to happen and suggesting it would be better to focus and divert...

Seanad: Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: Where will I begin? I was a member of Louth County Council for six years and every couple of months there were motions about this subject. Many other Members of this House were in local authorities for longer than me and they would say the same, that this is a very common issue. I commend Senator Malcolm Byrne and the rest of the Fianna Fáil group on bringing this Bill forward. Over...

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: We can all agree that farmers are the custodians of the land and the best-placed people to know exactly how to implement some of the measures we are trying to bring in. It is important that we try to tone and dial back the negativity towards people in the farming community and in agriculture. Instead we should let farmers show how we can empower them and how they can do the job properly....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: I am not sure how many colleagues had the opportunity to watch "Prime Time" during the week. It was really quite harrowing to see what the family of Eden Heaslip has been put through over the last number of months. Bullying has existed for time immemorial, and it will continue to exist.When children were bullied previously, it would have ended at 4 p.m. when they went out the school gate....

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (20 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: We must adjourn at 2.30 p.m. and that is five minutes away. The Minister of State has to get in. Could Senator Mullen make his point in 30 seconds or will I go to the Minister of State?

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (20 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: Brilliant.

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (20 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: That is very kind. I thank the Minister of State for that. We have five minutes left so. Senator Garvey is offering as well. With five minutes between three Senators, I ask them to be as brief as possible. I call Senator O'Loughlin.

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (20 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: That is the end of the debate. I thank the Minister of State for engaging to let the final three Senators get into the debate. It is greatly appreciated.

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (20 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Risk Management (19 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: I thank the Minister of State for being here to take my Commencement debate. The fact that he, as the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, is here shows his commitment to this flooding project in my part of the world. I also thank him for engaging with Louth County Council, particularly last summer when he came to see the projects directly, to sign off on...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Risk Management (19 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: I thank the Minister of State. It is important to get that update on where we are with the project. I appreciate him coming to the House to provide it. An important point in his remarks is that this is a medium- to long-term project, providing that it is not subject to delays or challenges. It is important that we all put that on the record of the House. This is a development that needs...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

John McGahon: I wish to discuss and comment on the report launched this morning by Wind Energy Ireland on green hydrogen and the role it can play in Ireland's energy transition. From reading the report, I believe it is clear that renewable electricity can play a vital role in Ireland's transition to a net-zero society, boost our economy and make our energy supply much more secure. I read the first ten...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Dec 2021)

John McGahon: I will start by wishing the Cathaoirleach and Mr. Martin Groves, and everyone else who make this place such a special place to be every day, a very happy Christmas. When I first came into this House, one of the first things I discussed was the concept of commuters and providing tax saver tickets. We are now about 20 months into this pandemic and the National Transport Authority, NTA, has...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (16 Dec 2021)

John McGahon: It is great to have the Minister in the House in our final days before Christmas. I will follow up a couple of points from Senator Conway. The concept of the social welfare system in any modern society is that it functions as a safety net. It should be for people when they encounter some sort of major unexpected difficulty in life and they should be able to fall back on it. It is a...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (16 Dec 2021)

John McGahon: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (16 Dec 2021)

John McGahon: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2021)

John McGahon: Over the weekend, there was speculation in the Irish Independentafter an interview with the Minister for Finance that the Government wanted to introduce tax cuts of up to €600 over the next three years. I welcome that. I firmly believe that it is better for individuals to have money in their pockets to decide how they should spend it and ultimately inject it back into the local...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2021)

John McGahon: I did not interrupt Senator Warfield.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2021)

John McGahon: I make a point of not-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2021)

John McGahon: I make a point of not interrupting other Members when I speak in this House. I would appreciate if Senator Warfield gave the same courtesy to me. I will return to my point from before I was interrupted. This would be a good idea and we should look at it. It benefits ordinary workers. Let us cap it for higher earners too. We should do this. If we are going to do it anyway, let us do it...