Results 1,021-1,040 of 1,262 for speaker:Garret Ahearn

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

Garret Ahearn: The Minister is welcome to the Chamber. I will follow on from the comments made by Senators Malcolm Byrne and Kyne about the work the Minister did before Christmas in visiting marts. I was at a mart with the Minister in Thurles and I think he was there for four and a half hours. If anyone says the Minister is not willing to talk to ordinary farmers on the ground, that was not the...

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

Garret Ahearn: I wish the Cathaoirleach and everybody a happy new year. The Leader will know that I and many of my colleagues in the Fine Gael Party fought for weeks and months to get roads projects on the national development plan and to convince the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, of the logic of this. I do just not stand just literally behind Senator Carrigy in the Chamber; I stand with him to fight for...

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

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the debate on the Bill, and I offer my support it. I wish to touch on the point Senator Hoey finished on regarding stigma. As public representatives, we talk to people who are probably open enough to talk about it and do not suffer from a need to hide anything, or at least they do not any more, while they might have had at the time. There are so many people in this country, even...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: To follow up on what Senator Higgins said, we want good people to get into politics. There are lots of reasons at the moment why people would not, such as social media and work-life balance. There are a million reasons. There are changes we can make to encourage people into politics, especially women. Senator Higgins spoke about maternity leave, which is an obvious one. Paternity leave...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: Now.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Motion for Earlier Signature (17 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Social Welfare Bill 2021 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber today. Senator Lombard and I put down this matter for the Commencement to outline Fine Gael's view on the agriculture industry, the agrifood sector and, in particular, young farmers. It has been Fine Gael's policy as long as it has been in government, for as long as I can remember anyway, that we have been very supportive of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I acknowledge that people are allowed to have individual opinions, and I have no problem with that, but they should not relay individual "facts" that are not true. Is there any other sector that would see a high-profile politician write to a bank to say it should not give those people loans? Could we imagine if somebody wrote to banks asking...

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

Garret Ahearn: I wish to follow on the sentiments of all Members today and wish the Cathaoirleach and everyone here a very happy Christmas and to thank him, the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Martin Groves and Brigid Doody and every staff member who works for the Seanad and in the Oireachtas for the work that they do and the contribution that they all make in making the work we do as good as possible. As it is a...

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

Garret Ahearn: I am sharing time with Senator Kyne. I welcome the Minister. This is the largest budget that has been delivered by the Department for years. I think it amounts to €23.5 billion in total, a phenomenal achievement. I acknowledge the Minister, her Department and the officials in the Department. I know she is very proud of the work they have done, especially over the past 18 months....

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

Garret Ahearn: The Dean Maxwell home in Roscrea is a residence for long-term residents. There is real concern within the community and the area about a deadline for long-term residents of 1 January 2022. There has been much confusion and many promises made. There is real concern within the Roscrea Community Development Council.In fairness, Mr. Steve Crofton sent a letter to Deputies outlining the...

Seanad: Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: Now.

Seanad: Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: Now.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome some funding Tipperary received from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, over the weekend for Christmas lights. As most people in politics know, one of those questions we all get asked over this period is whether towns and villages across our counties can get more Christmas lights. Tipperary has been lucky. It is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (9 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: Senator Ruane has had to withdraw her Commencement matter so we will go to Senator Malcolm Byrne.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: It was rigged.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: I think the Cathaoirleach is losing control. I want first to follow on from Senator Lombard's comments regarding RTÉ, the national broadcaster, and an agriculture correspondent. It is hugely important, especially at this time in terms of the volatility in the agriculture industry and the CAP negotiations. To be honest, farmers work their day around news programming. They do their...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: I acknowledge and congratulate the 12 all-stars in Limerick. It is a great honour for the 12 individuals and their families. In Tipperary, there are hundreds of players who have won it over the years and that is hugely significant, and they have all been honoured. We wish the 12 in Limerick well and also the hundreds in Tipperary and Kerry who have won it previously.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: It might not be as significant for us because we have had so many, but I wish Limerick well.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2021)

Garret Ahearn: I was listening to the contributions in my office while I was working. I acknowledge the presence of the Minister and thank him for being here. I could not let this go without making a contribution on the role of secretarial assistants. I have been a Senator for a year and a half, like many others, and have seen at first hand the quality of staff in this Chamber and staff who work for...