Results 981-1,000 of 5,754 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: National Forestry Fund: Motion (8 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I second the motion. How do I follow Senator Boyhan? Such is the generosity of my colleague that he pointed out Senator Lombard's input into this. Typical of Senator Boyhan, he has brought forward something that most people in the House and most people in the Oireachtas could agree with. Irish people will get behind a project if it is the right type of project, particularly now that there...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: General Scheme of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: There have been a number of changes to public service schemes over the years. I think the first major change came in 1995-1996. In April 1996 they moved to a co-ordinated pension. Then we had another revision and I think in 2013 the final revision came, which meant pensions are now based over your life. That means if you want a reasonable pension, you need to be Secretary General of a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: General Scheme of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Is it something the Dr. Roantree would consider having a look at? I ask because we are beginning to see the impact now, especially in the area of accelerated pensions. By and large, the idea for most people in that area is to get in, get trained and get out, and to do it all as quickly as they possibly can because the pension simply is not there. It is particularly the case if a person is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: General Scheme of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Okay, I will leave it at that.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I second the amendment of my colleague, Senator Boyhan, to the Order of Business. My grandmother used to say to me "mind the pennies and the pounds will mind themselves". As the Cathaoirleach will be aware, I have spoken here and in committees about the contract for search and rescue which is currently being negotiated by the Government. The contract will cost somewhere north of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Thank God for whistleblowers

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I wish all of the women of Ireland, including my eight sisters, my mother, my granddaughters, my wife, my daughter and my cousins, a great St. Brigid's day. I hope they really have a good day. I hope that we learn something from all of this welcoming of St. Brigid and Lá Fhéile Bríd, and all of this. I do not think we have over the years. Anyway, now to get down to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Good afternoon. I am sorry that I was not here for the witnesses' presentation. I had to be elsewhere. On the issue of driving tests, one county councillor in County Tipperary, Séamie Morris, contacted me regarding driving tests. Initially, when I thought about it, I thought it was a bit odd, but when I thought more carefully, it made at least a little sense. He wondered about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: In fairness, I am not aware of it myself but the idea sounded highly innovative. It struck me that one would be able to implement scenarios that would not normally be seen in a driving test. Perhaps, as a 21st century country, somebody might come forward with a solution that the RSA might be prepared to look at.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I am told Buncrana was probably one of the worst places in the country 12 months ago. It improved and was doing well but it is now beginning to slide down the scale again. Have our guests any idea what is going on there or what is causing that problem? Councillor Nicholas Crossan asked me to ask that question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: My question relates to waiting times.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Has the RSA a family-friendly policy whereby it tries to keep testers as close as possible to their home places?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: If I were a tester, I would not want to be based in Galway because I would probably be testing my own, which would not suit. Is there a list on which a tester can put his or her name to request a transfer to a particular part of the country?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I have another question that was brought to me by Councillor Richie Molloy in Tipperary. He tells me there is a long waiting period and that the pass rate is very low in that area. Are our guests aware of a problem with Tipperary?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I have a relation who had great difficulty with the test. She was a reasonably good driver but struggled every time she went for a test. The approach taken with people who are in a nervous state is fantastic. I compliment the RSA for the effort it takes to put people's minds at rest. I will turn to consider the national car test, NCT. I do not deal with members of the public too often,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I am sorry about that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Chairman for the slap across the knuckles.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: That is fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: We live in a technological world. It should be possible for me to insert onto the system the date my NCT certificate runs out and rather than having to make a phone call, the system would recognise that I need to be prioritised and would tell me I will be contacted if a vacancy arises. That would be a better approach than having to go through the two-tier process.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: We are very much dependent on the goodwill of the Garda.