Results 1,341-1,360 of 1,588 for speaker:Micheál Carrigy

Seanad: Finance Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: Senator Higgins made a few comments. The reality is that in the early 2010s we were precluded from purchasing houses and leasing was the most cost-effective way to provide them at the time. For us to develop or build housing, we need investors and we need people to develop it. It is the same in Longford as it is in Wicklow. It is a mixture of local authority housing plus private...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I want to repeat what I said five minutes ago and I would love to hear a comment from a Sinn Féin representative on it. The fact is that between 2016 and 2021 Fine Gael delivered more houses in the programme for Government than was in the Sinn Féin proposal prior to the 2016 election. What answer does Sinn Féin give to that? We exceeded the proposals Sinn Féin put in...

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

Micheál Carrigy: Unfortunately, we do not have any all-stars this year from Longford, but we will be back. I concur with Senator Ward's comments on smoking and I support his call for a debate on it. It is a fantastic idea. The Taoiseach, when Minister for Health, introduced the smoking ban 17 years ago. We thought it would not work, but it did. As Senator Ward was speaking, I jotted down 10.20 a.m. on...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (7 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I have spoken many times in this Chamber since being elected regarding how seriously Longford in particular has been affected by the closures of operations at Mountdillon and Lough Ree power stations in Lanesborough. This has had a significant affect on families who worked there and the local businesses. As I have said previously, the shortfall in rates has been made up and I am glad that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (7 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: Senator Murphy has outlined the case. I want to highlight that the contract for a just transition commissioner is due to end shortly. Kieran Mulvey is well known to us and for the work he has done. He is very well experienced in this role and knows the communities and people involved. I ask the Department to reappoint him for a further two years. As I have said, he knows the communities...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I wish to raise an issue that was actually raised in a Commencement matter earlier by Senators Malcolm Byrne and Cummins. It is about supports for the pantomime and theatre industry following the announcement on Friday. A significant number of these groups are already booked out for the Christmas period and into January. A concert organised by Longford County Council under the live and...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Tánaiste and I will read a short excerpt from his introduction. He said: Since the outbreak of Covid-19 here in March 2020, the Government has sought to save as many lives and as many livelihoods as possible. ... We have sought to keep workers connected to their employers and on the payroll. We have sought to help businesses survive through a robust and sustained...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for outlining the Bill. Our job here, as public representatives, is to make decisions that protect citizens and make a better life for anyone who lives in this country. That is what I feel we have to do here today. However, it is important that legislation is balanced in terms of all citizens. As Senator Gavan has said, it is important that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I do not agree with Senator Craughwell's comments about the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney. He has been an excellent Minister across any Department he was in. I have every confidence he will deal with the challenges ahead. I wish to speak to the just transition and the Premier Lakelands Food Hub in Longford. I am delighted Enterprise Ireland support the change in the plan to develop a...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Education): Statements (2 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister and acknowledge the work she has done since she came into her role. I acknowledge also her staff and the role of all teachers in our schools, whether primary, post-primary or third level, for the work they have done over the past 12 months. It is very important our kids are in school. My wife, Una, is a primary school teacher and I have three kids who are all in...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Health): Statements (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister. Before coming here to speak, I printed off a copy of the Covid restrictions and the new measures being introduced. Reading through the list, I saw that the vast majority of our society is open. Quite limited measures have been put in place. As Senator Buttimer said, much hysteria has been driven by certain groups, factions and political parties. They are causing...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Elimination of Abuse Towards Referees, Officials and Players in Sport: Discussion (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: First, I apologise because I was late-----

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Elimination of Abuse Towards Referees, Officials and Players in Sport: Discussion (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I apologise to our guests for being late; I had sent word of this. I welcome them and complement them on the work they do in their sporting organisations. The amount of work they do with the youth of our country is massive, especially throughout Covid in that it has been a difficult couple of years. I have young kids and it was great to see them get back onto the sporting field. It is an...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Elimination of Abuse Towards Referees, Officials and Players in Sport: Discussion (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: On refereeing, I was on the Gaelic Players Association, GPA, representing the GAA. What sorts of numbers are coming back, say, from retired players across all codes? Maybe there needs to be stronger links with players coming back into refereeing. Has any initiative been put in place in the organisations to try to increase the numbers of former club, provincial or inter-county players...

Seanad: Horticultural Peat (Temporary Measures) Bill 2021: Second Stage (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I take exception to the comment that most of us who have put our names to this Bill are being cynical. I am not in any way cynical. I am here to represent the people of my area. That is the job of every public representative. I welcome the Bill and am delighted to have put my signature to it. I compliment Senators Gallagher and Doherty on their work on it. I am from Longford, which has...

Seanad: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Statements (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I will share time with Senators Lombard and Conway. I will be parochial and get straight to the point on the national development plan. I come from Longford and I have two major areas of concern with the NDP. It commits to a funding ratio of 2:1 for public transport versus road projects, which means there will be significantly less funding for roads projects over the next number of years....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I echo the comments of a number of colleagues on pay for our secretarial assistants. Michelle who works for me - she worked for me even prior to my being elected here - does the work of a parliamentary assistant. I second Senator Ruane's proposal that we look at bringing forward a cross-party motion and that we push it and make sure it happens, long before our term finishes. Given the week...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: Shop local and make sure we have a green Friday and a green Monday, not a Cyber Monday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I support the comments of Senator Ahearn on childcare. It is important for it to be treated the same and given the same backup as our school sector. I welcome the Tánaiste's comments yesterday clarifying the position of the country and refuting all the social media lies and mistruths out there. Yesterday, I spoke about businesses not knowing whether to purchase goods ahead of the...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Key Priorities and Legislation of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister and the Minister of State. I thank both of them and their Department for the supports given across the various sectors it covers. They have been fed particularly through the arts and sports. I compliment them on the work that they have done. Is it possible to get a reply to the recommendations that the committee made in July for the hospitality and entertainment...