Results 81-100 of 5,118 for speaker:Joe O'Reilly

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (3 Jul 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I agree with the Tánaiste's fundamental proposition. Most members of the Defences Forces and society in general would agree that we should have non-political Defence Forces, in the sense of non-party political and non-politically active. I ask the Tánaiste to respond further to Senator Wilson's point and the points made by Senators Craughwell and Wall and to assure us that members...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (3 Jul 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: Does that include housing and so on?

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (3 Jul 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: With great respect to my distinguished colleague, Senator Craughwell, who has a proud record as president of the TUI and so forth, which we recognise, if I understand the legislation and the Tánaiste's explanation of it properly, members of representative bodies can comment, act and discuss with the Government and within their organisation properly on issues that concern them. Such...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (3 Jul 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I will be very brief. I am slightly different from colleagues in that I am a bit agnostic on the question of the Secretary General. However, I do believe in the proposition that if we put the Secretary General in there, the Tánaiste should look seriously at putting representatives of PDFORRA and RACO in on the basis that they have skin in the game. They have a commitment to the...

Seanad: National Cancer Services: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Burke. I had the privilege of working with him in the Seanad when he was a Member and it is wonderful that he is back as a Minister of State. I congratulate and thank my colleague, Senator Kyne, for bringing forward the motion and taking the trouble to write it up very effectively. Senator Kyne is a conviction politician and he is very sincere...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (18 Jun 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I welcome the introduction of this Bill to the Seanad. It represents a crucial step in the ongoing reform of our Defence Forces by addressing some of the most pressing issues that have come to light in recent years. The establishment of an external oversight body for the Defence Forces is a particularly welcome development. The...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Consideration of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments (18 Jun 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I join in the remarks made by the Chair and colleagues in congratulating the Minister on three decades of excellent public service. He has given really principled, committed and thoughtful public service. I had the privilege of being the Seanad spokesperson on communications, energy and natural resources during one of the Minister's previous ministries some years ago. We worked on the...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Consideration of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments (18 Jun 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I thank the Minister for all of that. As has been said, our function here is to scrutinise statutory instruments, ensure efficient and early transposition and good outcomes for people and, as the Leas-Chathaoirleach said, to bridge a demographic deficit that exists. It is crucial to bridge that democratic deficit, particularly in the context of so many new prevailing political winds. That...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Consideration of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments (18 Jun 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: That is a huge figure, if this is happening.

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Consideration of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments (18 Jun 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: That money could be used for so many things, like putting more buses on the roads.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: Senator Craughwell would be very good at creative writing.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I congratulate the Leader, Deputy Leader and other Seanad colleagues on their performances in the European elections and join in congratulations to the people who are winning. I will make one sad remark. In the midst of all the joy of the weekend, as Senator Dolan said, there is sadness and misfortune. One of the best county councillors in Ireland, respected across all political shades and...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024: Second Stage (29 May 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I commend the Government on its recognition of the State of Palestine. Our recognition, along with that of Spain and Norway, has made a big international contribution to the possibility of further recognition, to creating momentum for a ceasefire and to allowing politics to fill the vacuum. It was a worthwhile, important and courageous step for our Government to take and it merits...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024: Second Stage (29 May 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: We accept the bona fides of the proposal and the genuineness of where it is coming from. We accept what is it trying to achieve. It is just a question of asking to look at its implementation and working-outs. I presume the Minister will go through more of those technicalities. This is an important debate. Sadly and tragically, we are going to have to continue discussing this awful...

Seanad: Housing Commission Report: Motion (29 May 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I welcome the Minister of State. It is good to have him here. I will make sure my phone is off. I welcome this conversation and congratulate Sinn Féin on initiating it. It is important we discuss housing regularly and look at where we are. As a Government we can be particularly proud of where we have got to now. I will give some headline figures as quickly as I can. Since 2016,...

Seanad: Housing Commission Report: Motion (29 May 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: Sorry, I did not hear you.

Seanad: Protection of Private Residencies (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill 2021: Order for Committee Stage (23 May 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: I move "That Committee Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Protection of Private Residencies (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (23 May 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Protection of Private Residencies (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (23 May 2024)

Joe O'Reilly: At 1 p.m. next Tuesday.