Results 1,041-1,060 of 1,354 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment: Discussion (20 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome our witnesses and thank those who have made a contribution. Mr. Mulconry cut straight to the chase, if he does not mind me saying that. The word "crisis" has jumped out at me from all contributions. It is disappointing it has got to this point. When did the red light start flashing on this issue? How long have the witnesses been knocking on the Department's door highlighting...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I would like to raise the issue of insurance costs and the unending upward spiral of premiums for business, farm, household and motor insurance.Following pressure by a number of bodies, including Fianna Fáil, a working group was established to investigate the matter. It concluded its work in January 2017 and made several key recommendations which, in its qualified opinion, were...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I wish to address and highlight the comments made by the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, last weekend when he took the opportunity, yet again, to take a swipe at general practitioners, GPs, and to blame them for contributing to the current health crisis and overcrowding at accident and emergency departments. Over the past week, I have spoken to a number of GPs and they conveyed to me how...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: Let me be very clear. GPs only refer patients to accident and emergency departments when they, in their professional opinion, feel it is in the best interest of their patients to do so. To say otherwise is an insult to GPs. It is insult to their professional integrity and insults a profession that is one of the most respected throughout this country. Clearly, we need the Government to...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: In saying that, the Leader is implying that GPs are sending to accident and emergency departments people who should not be going there.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I am.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I am absolutely not. I am only relaying problems that were outlined to me by GPs in my constituency.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: Here we go again.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: Will the Leader try to stay in the present if at all possible? That might be more helpful than delving into the past. People are only interested in solutions for today and tomorrow.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sports Capital Programme (14 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Griffin, and thank him sincerely for his attendance. As he is aware, many towns in the Border region suffered due to the Troubles in Northern Ireland and while, thankfully, that day is now very much in the past, it has left a devastation in many towns. For example, it is fair to say that, in County Monaghan, no town has suffered as much as...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sports Capital Programme (14 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his contribution, to which I was very heartened to listen. He made the argument for Clones very well. It has the potential to become a sporting hub, not just for County Monaghan but for the entire northern part of our country. One cannot underestimate the economic benefits that the Ulster final brings to a town like Clones. Local people have embraced with...

Seanad: Job Losses at Kerry Foods, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan: Statements (14 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I extend a very warm welcome to the Minister and thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to come to the Chamber. I have no doubt that she is extremely disappointed to learn of the 31 proposed job losses at Kerry Foods in Carrickmacross, as am I. Our thoughts are with the workers and families affected. It must be a very difficult, worrying and stressful time for them as I am sure...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I support Senator Wilson and others regarding councillors' terms and conditions. I get no pleasure from saying that the Government's treatment of hardworking local authority members throughout the country has been degrading and insulting and needs to be tackled once and for all. That is the least they deserve. I wish to propose an amendment to today's Order of Business such that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: On the basis of the commitment given by the Leader that the Minister will make herself available to come to the House tomorrow to discuss this very important issue, I am willing to withdraw my amendment.However, it is a key issue-----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: Today, and on many days, we discuss the current state of our health services in both Houses. In particular, I refer to the difficulties we have in attracting and retaining professional health care staff to work in our hospitals, whether as doctors, nurses or whatever. We constantly read about the incentives put in place to attract and retain nurses or doctors in other countries. I was...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: I wish to raise the issue of the fodder transportation subsidy. Farm organisations have been highlighting for some time the serious fodder shortage, in particular along the Border counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal and in the west and north west. Teagasc, among others, has highlighted the issue. Unfortunately, the Government was slow coming out of the blocks but eventually it introduced...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: Senator Buttimer should tell that to the people of Cavan.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: The Leader should tell that to the people of Letterkenny or Cavan.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: The Leader should stick to the subject matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2018)

Robbie Gallagher: With respect, the first draft of the plan drew a line from Galway to Dublin with no mention of any areas north of that line. It is only because of the Opposition that the Government had to redraft the plan. It does not inspire us with confidence.