Results 81-100 of 5,746 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: -----not feasible in the Irish context.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: We need him in here.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: It is a pity the leaders of the country are not.

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: At least in Dublin they put them upstairs.

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I will start off by saying that Mr. Deering has a fantastic staff in the Office of the Ombudsman. There have been two occasions in my life where I had to engage with his office and on one of those occasions the office could not assist me and the official that was dealing with me was fantastic in the way he explained the situation. That is so important when one is under pressure and needs an...

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I mentioned the telephone conversation and I personally had one with Mr. Deering himself. I did some work in Limerick in Citizens Information and very often we would get people who were in an extremely frustrated and angry state of mind and we had to take the time to get them to calm down and explain the case. Not everybody can put his or her case in writing. Some people have great...

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: That is fantastic. Nowadays, it is not uncommon when someone books a hotel to get an email asking him or her to rate their experience when they get home. Does the Office of the Ombudsman do that? Back in the day when I used the office - it was an awfully long time ago, let us not go back there - we were still using snail mail and were certainly not using email. Does the Office of the...

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Am I okay for time, Chair?

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: The other thing that bothers me - and certainly from within here it is a problem and if so, it must be a problem for the Office of the Ombudsman - is trying to nail down the lead Department. We find that in so much of what goes on in our society, one part of it belongs to one Department and another part to another Department and trying to get to the person who should answer the question is...

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I note the number of complaints fell between 2022 and 2023. Was that possibly due to people having little more to do with their time due to having to sit at home during Covid?

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I want to deal with the thorny issue of migration, that Mr. Deering dealt with and showed great compassion about when he spoke. I think I am one of the only Members of the Oireachtas who actually went to Sicily to look at the wretched people being brought in from the Mediterranean Sea. The Italian Government invited us out at the time. I do not want to sound cold when I say this. I want...

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2022 and Related Matters: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I am delighted a man of Mr. Deering's stature has maintained the independence of the office his forbearers had. It is so important we have Mr. Deering there. Most important, I would like the Ombudsman to tell his staff how much they are appreciated. At a time of crisis, the people need somebody they can trust and turn to. Over the 40 years of the Ombudsman's existence, we have always...

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

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome Senator Bradley to the House and congratulate her on her appointment. She can trust in me for any advice she needs about the place. I am one of the few independent voices in here. The Cathaoirleach will recall that during the passage of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 through this House a number of questions were put to the Minister with respect to the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: The Leader will know that over the last few years I have spoken quite a lot on the search and rescue contract that is now passing from CHC to Bristow. Today, I want to draw to the attention of the Leader, and perhaps she will draw it to the attention of the Minister, a crash that took place in February of this year in Norway. I refer to the Norwegian national oil and gas operator. The...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: I too wish to be associated with John O'Mahony. He was a very decent man, a towering man. When you met him, you knew you were standing in the presence of greatness. I believe his last interview was given from his hospital bed. That would be the nature of the man. I extend my sympathy to John's family. I propose to amend the Order of Business to increase the time for the Defence...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Yes. I ask that the Cathaoirleach do that. This is very important legislation. I make no secret of the fact that at the outset of the debate, I will ask the Tánaiste to withdraw the Bill and pause the debate altogether. I have legal advice that I will share with him when he comes to the House indicating there are constitutional issues with the legislation. We hear a lot of bad...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Yes.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Gerard Craughwell: Under Standing Order 62(3)(b) I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.