Results 1,141-1,160 of 5,918 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Committee on Public Petitions: Public Petition on St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir (Resumed): Health Service Executive (9 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: For example, how many reported incidents were there of people catching MRSA or clostridium difficile or similarly highly infectious diseases? How many of the nursing staff complained about cross-infection within the unit? We heard a presentation from the community. Whoever made this decision, and I am not blaming or pointing fingers at anybody, made the decision to close down a community...

Committee on Public Petitions: Public Petition on St. Brigid’s Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir (Resumed): Health Service Executive (9 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: In fairness, in respect of repurposing the building to provide community care where once members of the same community could go with their loved ones to allow them to die in the comfort and warmth of their own families, you can do all the repurposing under the sun. These things drive me insane. You can something that is working that people use and all of a sudden, it is gone and we are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: Last Friday, I met a former community employment, CE, scheme supervisor who had retired. After 30 years of service, his lump sum was €17,000. It is unbelievable that someone who gave 30 years of his life to public service would finish up with that. That case brought me back to the issue of county councillors. Everybody in this Chamber, or at least 43 of us, has a strong interest in...

Seanad: Communications Regulation and Digital Hub Development Agency (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (8 Feb 2023)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister of State is very welcome. What a pleasure it is to have him here. He is very proactive in respect of this entire area. I am delighted to see him pick up the mantle and do what has to be done. I was particularly happy to see him sign an agreement with our colleagues in Finland recently. My colleagues and I met him to discuss training in the cyber area. I hope that, in the...

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.