Results 1,421-1,440 of 5,932 for speaker:Eugene Murphy

Seanad: Mandatory Hotel Quarantine Extension: Motion (16 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: It is good to see the senior Minister coming into the House to discuss these important issues.

Seanad: Mandatory Hotel Quarantine Extension: Motion (16 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: Senator Keogan had wished to change slots with Senator Boylan but she is not here. I presume the Senator wants to go ahead now. Alternatively, I can call on Senator Martin and come back to her.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: As the Minister of State pointed out, what we are dressing here is an anomaly relating to the 2009 scheme. The Bill will be a real game changer for people. As the Minister of State has said, the amount of representation we have received over the years on rectifying this, particularly from the farming community and the small business community, has been significant. I have already received...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: I join all my colleagues in complimenting the Minister of State and her officials on their hard work. From talking to the Minister of State, I know she appreciates very much what her officials have done here. This Bill is huge for counties like my own, Roscommon, as well as the Galway region and for all rural areas. I knew about it before I came into the Oireachtas in 2016, but once I came...

Seanad: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: I will try not to take too long because I know many Senators wish to contribute on this really important and significant Bill. Looking at the purpose of the Bill, we have to realise what we are about here. For example, one of the stated purposes of the Bill is "to enable urgent measures to be taken to increase the supply of housing in the State and in particular affordable and social...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: I pay tribute to two very special athletes from the Roscommon and Galway region who will participate in the Paralympics and the Olympic Games at Tokyo: Richael Timothy from the Ballymoe area competing in para-cycling, and Aoife O'Rourke from the Castlerea area competing in boxing. There is great excitement throughout the region with many flags flying in celebration of them representing...

Seanad: Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: In general, I welcome the Government's continued support for this sector. We certainly need to do more. I concur with the comments of my colleagues that the support should be continued. The explanatory memorandum states section 6 extends to 31 August 2022 the application of the 9% VAT rate to the supply of restaurant and catering services, to guest and holiday accommodation, to...

Seanad: Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: Sit down.

Seanad: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (12 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: It is nearly a case of repetition at this stage so I will be brief. When I looked at this amendment, I was surprised. I respect the right of Senator Moynihan and indeed any of her colleagues. I would never be against people tabling amendments. It is unfortunate that we have created a debate as if somebody on the Government side of the House had this in mind. This has come from an...

Seanad: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (12 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: On the basis that it is misleading, I ask Senator Moynihan to withdraw the amendment. She has created a debate that is not necessary. The Minister has replied as to how the Phoenix Park is protected. She made some reference to the old site of the Meath Hospital, which is a completely different scenario. I ask the Senator to consider withdrawing it.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: I welcome the fact that the Minister and his officials have taken account of the amendments tabled, first, by Senator Paul Daly from Fianna Fáil, and also Senator Lombard, who is present. It is important that we show the farming and rural communities that we have a Minister who does take into account what must be taken into account when dealing with climate change. I have had a number...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: The Leas-Chathaoirleach can signal when he wants me to finish. I do not intend to go on for too long. Everybody here who talks about the just transition means well. This is not a tactic by the Opposition but if one looks at the voting records in this House when amendments are put forward on various issues, the reality is that nine times out of ten, the Opposition votes together. This is...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: I fully respect Senator Higgins and she has great experience in this area but I have real reservations about putting in a minimum figure of 51%. We all want to get there but there are going to be great challenges in getting there. We need to bring people and the public with us and we are doing a good job in that.If the Minister starts by putting in a minimum of 51%, which I do not say is a...

Seanad: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: The Minister of State is welcome to the House. He, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Government have really put a lot of work into the Affordable Housing Bill which, despite all the recent brouhaha, was voted through with 101 votes while only eight Members voted against it. I hope the public will take heed of that. For whatever reasons, the Social Democrats voted against it...

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (8 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: I thank Dr. Lannon and Mr. Henderson for their presentations. I know Dr. Lannon for some time and he has gotten to know me. His commitment to support those people over a number of years must be acknowledged. At a time when many did not stand up for such unfortunate people, he and Mr. Henderson did. The Chairman asked a number of questions I intended to ask. We have had experiences in...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (8 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: Chairman, it is not usual for me to make a comment such as this. Indeed, when you became Chair of this committee, I was one of the people who urged members to give you a chance to proceed. I have to say - I do not go into rhetoric against any members - I was very disappointed to read about yourself and the comments that were attributed to you in relation to the death of Detective Garda...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Pensions Council and Citizens Information Board: Chairpersons Designate (7 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: I have been very impressed by the two presentations from Ms Burke and Ms Heaney. I missed part of Ms Burke's presentation because I had to rush out for a few moments. I endorse the comments made by the Chair and Deputy Kerrane on pensions. I will not repeat all of them. An existing problem I find is where one of two partners who are both on pensions dies, the income reduces from almost...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Pensions Council and Citizens Information Board: Chairpersons Designate (7 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: I thank our guests.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: I thank the Cathaoirleach for this opportunity to raise an issue on the Order of Business. It is always good in these times to speak about good news. I very much welcome the announcement by the Department of Education yesterday confirming, at long last, that an agreement in principle has been reached with the HSE on a four-acre permanent site at the Parkmore estate in Ballinasloe for St....

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Jul 2021)

Eugene Murphy: Yes.