Results 1,021-1,040 of 3,444 for speaker:Shane Cassells

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Shane Cassells: I thank the Minister for coming here today to set out in detail what she has done right from the get-go, aided by her officials and Department, in helping the vital tourism and hospitality sector. The work of the tourism recovery task force, which addressed the Oireachtas committee, has been substantial and the interventions over the course of these horrific 12 months have been exceptional,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2021)

Shane Cassells: Broad-ranging issues have been discussed in the Chamber to mark International Women's Day, but one matter that is of particular importance to me from my previous job as a sports journalist is that of inequality in funding for women's sport. The disparity between women's and men's sport remains as large as ever and the efforts to address it are painfully slow. I pay tribute to Mary O'Connor,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2021)

Shane Cassells: I second the amendment from Senator Byrne to the Order of Business. I welcome the announcement by Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, that we are participating in the feasibility study with the UK Government on the bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030 with the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As the Taoiseach rightly said, it is very exciting. It is...

Seanad: Health Insurance (International Students) (Amendment) Bill 2021: First Stage (5 Mar 2021)

Shane Cassells: I second the proposal.

Seanad: Local Government (Use of CCTV in Prosecution of Offences) Bill 2021: Second Stage (5 Mar 2021)

Shane Cassells: I welcome the Minister of State. I welcome this Labour Party Bill, which was introduced by Senator Wall. Like him, I pay tribute to Senators Byrne and Cummins on their work. I welcome the thrust of the Bill and what is being proposed. The issue must be tackled across a range of areas. It is important that we be able to use technology to ensure successful convictions. We have discussed...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: Tomorrow we have a truly historic event taking place in the sporting and cultural history of this country. For the first time in 137 years of the GAA, an overseas candidate will become president with the elevation of Larry McCarthy from New York. It will be a unique day in many respects. First, like everything in this country, the GAA congress, which convened this morning, is taking place...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (26 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: I thank the Minister for attending this debate. I also thank all of the front-line workers in the transport sector who have played a pivotal role. In particular, I thank the taxi drivers in our cities and towns, many of whom have delivered food to the most vulnerable. I thank the bus drivers who have maintained the operation of bus fleets and train drivers who have done the same with the...

Seanad: Councillors' Pay: Motion (22 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: I welcome the debate and I welcome the Minister of State. I commend him on all the work he is doing for local government, not just in regard to this issue but to a range of issues that he has tackled from the get-go. I was a member of a local authority for 17 years. I have a deep passion for this subject and it is evident that the Minister of State shares that passion. He is driving this...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: I want to touch on the Land Development Agency Bill which came before the Houses of the Oireachtas this week.Coming from a county with such a huge population as Meath, the pressure of providing homes is something we deal with on a daily basis, whether through social housing waiting lists or private developments. I back the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: I wish to raise the issue of the forthcoming legislation regarding the gambling industry and pay tribute to my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, who is preparing to tackle this issue. The speed at which gambling addiction has risen in this country is frightening. Some years ago there was a move to put a casino in Tipperary and they thought the place would be turned into...

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: I thank the Minister of State for being here and listening to so many contributions and for leading the charge in this area under her portfolio. Over the past three hours, plenty of people have come in here to tell her what to do. I want to thank her for what she and her team have done. I also thank all of the agencies throughout Ireland with which she interacts for what they do on a daily...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: Deputy Kelly wanted to open the pubs.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: He wanted to open-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: I will be more gentle. I ask permission to correct the-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: I am conscious that there has been much debate in recent weeks about the return to school for students.Yesterday the Taoiseach again stressed that the return is a priority and that within that phased return there is a priority for students with special needs. For many students, it is not just a question of when they will return but to what they will return. The facilities in a number of...

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Housing, Local Government and Heritage): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: I thank the Minister very much for his presentation. I join him in thanking all those on the front line in this particular sphere of housing and local government who have done so much since March of last year to assist those most in need during this crisis, particularly those dealing with homeless people. I also join the Leas-Chathaoirleach in praising Senator Ruane for the work she has...

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Housing, Local Government and Heritage): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

Shane Cassells: I always do.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Job Losses (26 Jan 2021)

Shane Cassells: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter and I thank the Minister of State for being present. Last Friday evening with no advance warning to employees or to the National Union of Journalists, a large number of journalists across a range of well-known local newspapers were laid off. These included the well-known titles, The Midland Tribuneand The Tullamore Tribune, the Clonmel...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Job Losses (26 Jan 2021)

Shane Cassells: The Minister of State correctly stated that there should be consultation in scenarios such as this. That is the exact point. There was no consultation, none. On Friday night, Ian McGuinness, the Irish organiser of the National Union of Journalists, stated, "At a time when we need solid, public service journalism more than ever, we have seen Iconic Newspapers announce their intention to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2020)

Shane Cassells: Yesterday representatives of the newspaper industry, both local and national, attended a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht. They set out the challenges facing the print media industry today, particularly in the context of Covid-19. They outlined the work they have done during the pandemic and the financial hit they have...