Results 1,501-1,520 of 1,588 for speaker:Micheál Carrigy

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I echo the comments with regard to what we have read in the newspapers this morning. The CEO of the HSE should answer whatever questions we have. I want to raise an important issue in my area, which is turbary rights, Bord na Móna and all that goes with it. Many families in the midlands and throughout the country have such rights and have cut turf for generations, and they are entitled...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Hospitality Sector: Discussion (23 Mar 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome our witnesses. I am Senator Carrigy from Longford. I am the tourism representative for Fine Gael in the Seanad. To echo the comments made by my colleague, Deputy Cannon, this is an issue that is regularly discussed by us at parliamentary party level. I guarantee the witnesses that, as a party, we will be fully supportive of all the support measures needed. It was said earlier...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: The Minister is welcome. I thank her for the opportunity for Senators to discuss the impact Covid-19 has had on the tourism and hospitality industry. The importance tourism has for our economy can never be overstated. It played a major role in our recovery following the crash, driving job creation, particularly in rural and regional areas, and directly contributing 260,000 jobs in 2019,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Viability of and Opportunities for the Post Office Network: Discussion (16 Mar 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to come in. I myself am a postmaster. We have had the local office in my home town in Longford since 1972 and I have been postmaster since 2012. As I am also a member of the Irish Postmasters Union, I welcome Mr. Martin and Mr. O'Hara in particular, who I know very well. They are excellent representatives for our organisation. A comment was made...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Viability of and Opportunities for the Post Office Network: Discussion (16 Mar 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: It is starting. We have already taken cuts and we are going to take more. I know of an office that took a €10,000 cut and expects the same again. As subcontractors, we have to provide the premises, insurance, heat, light and rates. If one has to pay a second member of staff, one must pay USC etc. and try to make a living out of that. That is what we face. If we want to look after...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the return of children to school, in particular, the 100% return of children with special needs. Parents of children with special needs require assurances. I do not think the union, Fórsa, acted fairly towards them given that children were off school for two months.This is almost the only country in the western world where that happened. The unions need to give assurances to...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2021: First Stage (5 Mar 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I second the proposal.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environment Fund (1 Mar 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: It is important to acknowledge the huge impact the closure of the power stations in Lanesboro and Shannonbridge, and the end of peat production, has had on communities and families which have worked in them for more than 50 years. The jobs at Mountdillon and Lough Ree power plant provided the communities of Keenagh, Killashee, Newtowncashel, Lanesboro and beyond will be difficult to replace....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environment Fund (1 Mar 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive list of funding that is available. My priority is my local area of Longford. We have a unique centre in Corlea which is right on the 3,000-year-old bog trackway. It is the ideal location to centre this proposed project. I spoke with 12-year-old Michael yesterday. He is a very enthusiastic young lad with a great vision for our area and...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (26 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the significant funding recently announced for transport and roads projects in County Longford. I also welcome the progress on the N4 project from Mullingar to Rooskey through Longford, which was taken off the capital plan in 2010 after a preferred route had been identified. It is a critical piece of infrastructure for not just Longford and the midlands but the entire north west....

Seanad: Covid-19 (Aviation): Statements (26 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We have seen the severe impact that Covid has had on our hospitality sector, on which more than 200,000 jobs are dependent. More than 75% of the spend comes from the 11 million tourists who visit our country. I support the comments that we need to introduce antigen testing at our airports to start reopening our tourism sector for the coming...

Seanad: Ábhair Ghnó an tSeanaid – Matters on the Business of the Seanad (22 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I want to raise several issues. The first concerns the duration of planning permissions. I am looking for an extension to existing planning permissions for the length of time for which the construction industry has been closed. I know a number of one-off sites and developments that are coming close to their existing five-year permission, or ten-year permission where there was an extension....

Seanad: Report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation: Statements (Resumed) (19 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: First of all, I commend the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach on the statement he made to the House a number of weeks ago. I commended him on it personally but I want to put it on the record. The Minister is very welcome. The report highlights an abject failure of care by the State. It is important to thank the hundreds of brave women for telling their stories, which are so important to them,...

Seanad: Student Nurses (Pay) Bill 2021: Second Stage (19 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I support Senator Hoey's motion to recognise the contribution of student nurses and midwives, who have been at the coalface over the last 12 months. It is important to note it is a key priority of Government to protect and support the continued education of all students, including student nurses and midwives. A key part of that education, in order to meet the standards and requirements of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (15 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I thank the Acting Chairperson, Senator Warfield, and congratulate him on taking the Chair. I thank Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, for taking on my Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. This matter is about the provision of funding under the rural regeneration and development fund for the Drumlish go green centre application in Longford. First, I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (15 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: The Minister of State is well aware of this issue. As he said, his colleague, Councillor Brady, started work on it a number of years ago. He has been driving a large number of projects in the area. As I said, I am aware that the process of assessing this project is ongoing. I point out, however, that it aligns with national, regional and local policy and fully delivers on the policy...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I want to raise a number of issues. There has been recent notification from AIB and Bank of Ireland that they plan to charge negative interest on client accounts. This is money which people have saved and on which they have already paid tax. This includes client accounts in solicitors' practices. If my solicitor draws down a loan from the bank because I have purchased a property I...

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English. I fully support this motion and thank Senator Currie for the work she has done on this important issue. It is important to acknowledge that the national broadband plan was signed off on by Fine Gael despite opposition from all sides at the time. It is impossible to envisage any vibrant future for Ireland without broadband at its heart. Our...

Seanad: Special Education Provision: Statements (8 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and thank her for her work in the role so far. I know that she is passionate about it and making significant improvements. I have to express my annoyance, which is probably an understatement, at the situation over the last four weeks. Unfortunately, the voice of the unions was louder than the voice of those in our community who are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2021)

Micheál Carrigy: I congratulate the local gardaí in Longford who recently broke up an illegal gathering held by a national party at a famed War of Independence site. The 100th anniversary of events there actually takes place tomorrow. A full review of the Clár programme by NUI Maynooth was initiated by the Department. It will examine the patterns across the country on the basis of the 2016 census....