Results 121-140 of 456 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Cathal Berry

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I wish to raise the matter of Ukraine. I concur with the Taoiseach's comments of last Friday that Putin will stop where we choose to stop him. That is entirely true. I wish that, in 2014, when he invaded Crimea and half of Donbas, the international community, including Ireland, had been more robust and assertive in stopping him. The appeasement he got eight years ago has brought us to the...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I am grateful for the opportunity to comment in advance of the EU summit meeting tomorrow and Friday in Brussels. The meeting will be chaired by the Swedish Presidency. I very much approve of the agenda. It is only right and proper that Ukraine dominates the agenda, for obvious reasons. It is the burning issue in Europe at the moment, both literally and metaphorically, unfortunately. I...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I wish to raise the 58 school building projects throughout the country that are currently on hold due to a lack of funding in the Department of Education. I accept the reason for this is inflation in the cost of construction. A public meeting will be held tonight in Portlaoise regarding Kolbe Special School, which is in particular need and completely worthy of a new premises. When will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: That is great. I thank the Minister for the reply. I accept there have been some minor improvements as part of the general public sector package, but also some specifically for the Defence Forces. I was focusing on the patrol duty allowance because it is such an important allowance given the Naval Service is in crisis from both a crewing and ships perspective. I thank the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I entirely agree with the Minister that we must be prudent and responsible across the entire public sector. An aspect of this worth highlighting is this would be an earned allowance rather than just a basic pay improvement. It would be like overtime, so the member would have to work longer and harder to get it. I hope the Minister can take that into consideration. I accept the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 91. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when an improvement in the Naval Service patrol duty allowance will be implemented in accordance with the recommendations in the high-level action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10763/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: As part of the Government's high-level action plan to transform our armed forces over the coming years, there was a commitment to increase the size of the patrol duty allowance for the Naval Service. I would be grateful if the Minister could update the House on where the proposal is at the moment.

Future of Regional Pre-Hospital Emergency Care: Motion [Private Members] (1 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: Táim fíorbhuíóch a bheith anseo inniu chun caint faoin ábhar seo. Tuigim cinnte go bhfuil sé ar cheann de na hábhair is tabachtaí in Éirinn faoi láthair. Before I speak to the motion, I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to the people of Greece following the tragic train accident there. More than 32 people have been confirmed dead....

European Union Directive: Motion (28 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on whether we should transpose an EU directive on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of restrictive measures into Irish law. I am happy to support the motion for a number of reasons. I am, in principle, in favour of sanctions as an alternative to violence, provided those sanctions are targeted...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I am glad the Minister is the present in the Chamber. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on policing, security and community safety for a number of reasons. The Bill replaces an important Act, namely the Garda Act 2005, and legislates for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing from about four years ago. This Bill is not before...

Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Motion (22 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on Putin’s unnecessary and highly illegal war in Ukraine. Again, on behalf of the Regional Group, we wish we were not marking this grisly anniversary but we are here nonetheless. Unfortunately, that is just the way things are. I have a few points to make. The first is that I welcome, in general, Ireland’s response to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: Of the 27 EU countries, only 21 deployed small medical teams and search and rescue teams to Türkiye in the aftermath of the recent earthquake. Ireland, unfortunately, sent nobody at all. I accept the fact we provided approximately €10 million, which was a good thing, but money is of little use to families who are caught beneath the rubble. It is a pity. We have the Civil...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I want to raise the issue of the housing crisis in County Kildare. There are more than 6,500 people on the social housing waiting list. Many of them are military families and the Tánaiste is their Minister, as Minister for Defence. At the same time, the Department of Defence has stated that 62 houses in the Curragh Camp are vacant or in various states of dereliction, which is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Tánaiste for that very reassuring answer, which is great. Something the Tánaiste may not be aware of is that you do not actually need planning permission to build military houses on military property for military families. It really streamlines the process. I am grateful for the answer and agree that in this country we have changed much more profound policies than...

Civil Defence Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for his opening statement. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill, which aims to modernise legislation that dates to the Second World War. That is probably a good litmus test for the need to modernise legislation. From the outset, I compliment the Civil Defence, both the organisation and the 2,700 volunteers. They do fantastic work. As other colleagues...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Cathal Berry: I am very grateful for the opportunity to make some brief comments on the outcome of the most recent EU Council meeting in Brussels in December. I thank the Tánaiste for his background briefs to the House, which were very useful. I welcome that the meeting's agenda was rightly dominated by the situation in Ukraine brought about by the unnecessary and illegal attack by the Russian...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Cathal Berry: We are all aware the VAT rate for the hospitality sector is scheduled to increase from 9% to 13.5% on 1 March, which is pretty much four weeks from today. In light of last year's exceptional Exchequer returns, an additional surplus of €5.2 billion, and that something similar is expected for this year, there are many positive soundings in the media that this 9% rate might perhaps be...

Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022: Second Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Cathal Berry: I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute on the Bill. As the Minister pointed out, it is historic legislation. There are so many people and families waiting for organs or clarification. I very much welcome the Bill, though I wish it had come before the House long before now. I am very happy to support its passage through the Dáil for several reasons. The first is from a...

Statement by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (24 Jan 2023)

Cathal Berry: I am sharing time with Deputy Tóibín, four minutes for myself and two for Deputy Tóibín. I thank the Minister for his opening statement. I have a number of follow-up questions. He mentioned that he is currently amending his returns for the 2020 general election. When are we likely to get a formal submission of those returns? Is it going to be some day this week?...