Results 1,141-1,160 of 1,354 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Road Network (20 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister for his response. I am disappointed that no funding has been allocated at this point. I would stress upon the Minister again that consideration would be given to national roads, particularly those such as this that have a high percentage of fatalities. Perhaps that point could be considered when funding is being allocated.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Senator Wilson just asked me to add the name of John Carty to the list of deceased Members. I would like to raise two issues, one of which relates to the fair deal scheme and the negative effect it is having on the farming community. The IFA, among others, has voiced concerns about the lack of a cap on the debt that can be incurred to the State while a loved one is in a nursing home. I...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Defence Forces Personnel Data (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State. I congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well. As he is undoubtedly aware, even though this matter is not his particular area, the Defence Forces are faced with many challenges. One regularly hears about low morale, the recruitment and retention of staff and low pay. It is sad that many members of the Defence Forces must avail of family income...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Defence Forces Personnel Data (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I understand that this is not the brief of the Minister of State but thank him for his contribution. I am sure he appreciates that the matter needs to be addressed and I would welcome any measures on the part of the Minister for Defence to move it forward for the benefit of all.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I wish to mention the issue raised yesterday by members of the Garda Representative Association, GRA, who called on the Government to roll out the deployment of body-worn cameras for members of the Garda Síochána. It is a great initiative that would bring transparency for those behind the camera as well as those in front of it. It is widely used across Europe with very positive...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I join other Members in commending Senator Lawless on bringing forward this sensible legislation. I compliment him on his contribution in the House to date. Like many other Senators, he is new to the House but he is leaving his mark and the Bill is one example of that. When the prohibition was first introduced, the concept of drinking alcohol at home was a non-entity because no-one ever...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Hear hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I raise the issue of class sizes in primary schools. The Department of Education and Skills recently launched a report, which gives a school-by-school breakdown of class sizes for the 2016-2017 academic year, and it makes for grim reading. A total of 120,000 primary school children are in classes of more than 30. On average, almost one in four primary pupils is in a class of more than 30....

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit inniu. He is very welcome to the House this afternoon to discuss this very important issue. I am heartened by his comments and his commonsense approach to this issue. We are all at one in singing the praises of this scheme. That is taken as a given. The merits of the scheme are well known. Unfortunately, there are issues with...

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Ba mhaith liom ar dtús fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Mitchell O'Connor, go dtí an Teach seo inniu. I would also like to extend a welcome to guests in the Visitors Gallery. We are all in agreement on the merits and advantages of a properly-funded third level education system. There is no doubt that we have enhanced our reputation worldwide through the...

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: In fairness, Senator Norris would be well qualified to make a comment on that particular subject, based on his contributions in this House.

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: The larger the audience in the Visitors Gallery, the longer the contribution from the Senator.

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Indeed, he has. I have to commend him on that. His contributions were shorter but, yes, he has spoken.

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: Gabh mo leithscéal. The one thing on which we are all in agreement is access. It is vital that whatever decision both Houses of the Oireachtas arrive at on this issue, the key point in all our minds should be that it allows access to third level education to the maximum number of people possible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Scheme: Discussion (11 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank all of the contributors. The meeting has been very worthwhile and informative. Deputy Carol Nolan spoke for me and, I am sure, many others. When we came back last September, there was complete mayhem. Deputies and Senators from all parties all had the same story to tell, that the school transport service was not fit for purpose and I take no pleasure in saying this to the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Public Sector Allowances (11 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State. This is the first opportunity I have had to congratulate him on his promotion and wish him well in his new role. I refer to the new travel-mileage expenses rate which took effect for all public servants on 1 April this year. The new rate was negotiated by the Civil Service unions with the Department of Finance. It had the added dimension of the Haddington...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Public Sector Allowances (11 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I note that the rates will be up for review again in three years' time. If it is possible during that time, consultation with the two representative bodies for local authority members, the Local Authority Members Association and the Association of Irish Local Government, would be welcome. As I said, while I am sure it was not designed as...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I support the comments made by Members about the Defence Forces. The issue comes down to a lack of respect in the manner members of the Defence Forces are treated. I join other Members in asking that the Minister of State come to the House to address this very important issue as soon as possible. I raise the issue of the lack of GP cover in rural areas which, unfortunately, is back in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I too would like to join with others in the House in congratulating the Leader on his engagement. We can all look forward to a date in Cork in the not too distant future. On a more serious note, along with many other Members, I have raised the issue of the future of rural Ireland many times. This, unfortunately, would appear to have fallen on deaf ears, as proved by two media reports this...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2017)

Robbie Gallagher: I raise the issue of farm safety in the context of the regrettable decision to slash the farm safety budget for 2017. The decision taken by the Health and Safety Authority to cut the budget by 25%, from €384,000 last year to €287,000 this year, is alarming and very hard to fathom when one considers that, so far this year, unfortunately, there have been 13 fatalities in the...