Results 1,221-1,240 of 1,262 for speaker:Garret Ahearn

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (2 Dec 2020)

Garret Ahearn: It is important to point out that this happened long before the Minister came into the Department. I take on board and totally accept the seriousness with which the Minister takes this. The worry is whether the Department and the officials take it with the same seriousness, but I trust the Minister's leadership on this. The Minister said there are 4,700 files for processing but only 2,000...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2020)

Garret Ahearn: Large parts of the economy are reopening following a difficult six weeks of lockdown but several sectors are still not permitted to open, which needs to be addressed. I refer particularly to the arts sector, theatres and venues across the country and in my county of Tipperary. I echo what Senator Cummins said yesterday. The arts sector is not about making money; it is about ensuring that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2020)

Garret Ahearn: It seems to be mandatory this week but they are still not accountable. There is a level of responsibility. One of the biggest things we will have to do in 2021 is the delivery of vaccines. Public representatives or anyone else need to be responsible in what they put out, especially on social media.

Seanad: Technological Universities Agenda: Statements (2 Dec 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister of State and wish him well in his portfolio. I have not had the opportunity to speak to him since he was appointed. It is fantastic news that the order for a new technological university in Munster has been signed, namely, the Munster Technological University, comprised of Tralee Institute of Technology and Cork Institute of Technology. It is another statement of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit and Readiness of Businesses, Employees and Communities: Discussion (2 Dec 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I thank our invited guests for their presentations. A common feature in this process in recent years has been the need for clarity. As previous speakers said, trying to ask the right questions is quite difficult. In many ways we are still as confused now 30 days out as we were when we were three years out and the same questions apply today as they did then. The amount of investment being...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Dec 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I echo the statements of many Senators who have wished all of the businesses that are opening up today well. In that context, I wish all of the businesses in Tipperary well. They have had an incredibly tough number of weeks and I hope the Christmas period is a success for them. I encourage everyone to support them. There is some confusion about whether craft fairs can go ahead. Fethard...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Dec 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister to the House. After the past six weeks and the struggles businesses across the country have faced, it is ironic to go from being locked down to now discussing what they would view as the next potential crisis coming down the tracks. It has been an extraordinary year for businesses of all types. I wish the Minister and the Department well. It is welcome to see that...

Seanad: Reopening Ireland (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English. He has a difficult task today because he will be listening for two hours or four hours to Members putting in requests for what should be opened, what should not be opened and when they should be opened. The Minister of State has to answer those questions, knowing that there will be an official announcement tomorrow and not today.I will...

Seanad: Reopening Ireland (Department of Health): Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for attending. When the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, was in the Chamber, I touched on one topic in my contribution and I thought it would be important to bring it up with the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan. My colleague, Senator Carrigy, spoke extremely well about his experience of nursing homes and caring for people. It has been an...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I welcome the news this week of the announcement that an application has been put forward by Limerick Institute of Technology, LIT, and Athlone Institute of Technology, AIT, to become a technological university. It is really welcome news for the region - the mid-west and the midlands - and for Tipperary. We have two sections of LIT, one in Thurles and one in Clonmel. It is really important...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Second Stage (25 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I probably will not need five minutes and I can accommodate Senator Burke if he is happy to share time.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Second Stage (25 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I will only take two or three minutes so either way. If Senator Burke is next on the list, it is fine. I welcome the Minister to the House and it is a pleasure to have him here. I congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well. He has hit the ground running. He will certainly have my support and that of Senators on this side for the work being done. This legislation that has...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2020: Motion (25 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister for his statement and I welcome him to the House on the first time I have had the opportunity to do so. Senator Lombard would have liked to have been here but he could not do so and he wanted it put on the record of the House and to let the Minister know that the Minister has the Senator's full support on this motion. The horse and greyhound racing fund was established...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: The Cathaoirleach predicting what I am going to say before I say it, but he is right. I am pretty sure that he, as someone from the county that was beaten by Cork, will support us going forward.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: Does it not just show what sport and the GAA can do? Difficult decisions were made a couple of months ago over whether this year's championship should go ahead and whether Government could support it. A weekend like we have just had shows the impact it has for people and for communities. For my county it is huge. It took 85 years to win a Munster final and having two players from my...

Seanad: Living with Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (Resumed) (18 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: When it came to my attention earlier in the week that a debate on living with Covid was scheduled for today, I thought it was only right and proper that I should take the opportunity to contribute to that debate. Like thousands of people in this country, I have lived with Covid for two weeks and it is important that I put on the record of the House my experience of it. I was lucky. I did...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Smart Metering Programme (11 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. Since 2019 and throughout 2020, ESB Networks has rolled out new electricity smart metering technology in homes across Ireland. If and when this roll-out is completed, domestic and business premises in Ireland will have a smart meter installed. Customers have been told that there is no additional charge for smart meters but that is not...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Smart Metering Programme (11 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I note that she said that during 2020 it is quite difficult to have the same pace of roll out as 2019, so I hope the situation will be better next year.However, if the roll-out has slowed down, it is the perfect time to re-assess and re-evaluate whether it is the right approach from both the cost and environmental perspectives. I have been...

Seanad: Political Donations: Motion (11 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I stand in support of the Private Members' business. I have been a Member of this House for six months and have worked with Deputies and Senators in other political parties and Independents alike. Although I disagree with them on a range of issues, I never doubt their sincerity. I cannot say that about Sinn Féin. I doubt that party's Members' sincerity on almost every issue, and this...

Seanad: Ábhair Ghnó an tSeanaid - Matters on the Business of the Seanad (5 Nov 2020)

Garret Ahearn: I rise to speak about the need for the Government to support post offices. I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Heather Humphreys, a number of weeks ago on changing social welfare payments to a weekly basis. This is encouraging for a number of reasons. It is much easier for people to get their payments on a weekly basis and some people were struggling...