Results 141-160 of 1,387 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Financial Services (7 Mar 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State. The Central Bank has recently confirmed that large numbers of mortgage holders whose loans were sold to vulture funds are unable to use the ombudsman service to make complaints if they are in dispute over the handling of their loans. It is estimated that up to 100,000 borrowers have had mortgages sold to vulture funds, with credit servicing firms acting on...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Financial Services (7 Mar 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his response to this very important issue. As he outlined, all we are seeking is that if these individuals who have had their loans sold to vulture funds, in many cases without their knowledge and consent, feel they have a legitimate complaint to make, there will be someone who will be able to listen to them. Currently, they do not have that avenue or...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Mar 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: In 2022, 901 animals were attacked by dogs: 755 sheep and 77 cattle were attacked. Unfortunately, that figure is on the rise. The scene of a sheep attack by dogs is truly horrific, apart from the financial burden it inflicts upon the farmer and his family. For example, losing ten pregnant ewes could cost as much as €2,000 to replace. Apart from the financial hardship, there is also...

Seanad: EU Talent Pool: Motion (5 Mar 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I move:That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed...

Seanad: EU Talent Pool: Motion (5 Mar 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: The Minister of State is very welcome back to the House this afternoon. Fianna Fáil very much welcomes this motion on the opt-in to the proposal for a regulation establishing an EU talent pool. We are no different from other EU states in that we have many vacancies across many different occupations. I sometimes think the Government does not get enough credit for the prudent management...

Seanad: Community Safety and Investment: Motion [Private Members] (28 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I, too, welcome the Minister back to the House this afternoon. I also commend our Labour Party colleagues on bringing forward this very important motion. It is a very timely motion and, from a Fianna Fáil perspective, we are very happy to support the motion as outlined by the Labour Party Senators this afternoon. This is motion we can all agree with. Everyone wants safer communities,...

Seanad: European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (28 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: Now.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: A report issued this morning shows that the commercial property vacancy rate is at its highest level in ten years.There are something like 30,000 vacant commercial units across the length and breadth of the country. Here in the city I understand there are 19 office blocks, eight of which are brand new, that have not been occupied and are lying vacant. This is in addition to a further 15 in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I, too, wish to join with others in congratulating the Deputy Leader on her great performance at the weekend. I certainly wish her well from here on in. Bualadh bos on her performance. I would also like to mention Senator Ward, who equally performed well. It shows the quality that lies within the four walls of this particular room.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: Today, and many times previously, I have spoken about the digital age and how it is moving at a pace that no one can stop. No one wants to stop it. It is a train that, unfortunately, not everyone is capable of buying a ticket for or getting access to. I have in mind those people who call to my office, including elderly people, who find it difficult to get a bus ticket as they have to buy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Chair and members for affording me the opportunity to say a few words. The justice committee, of which I am a member, is sitting next door so I had to pop out there and I will have to go back afterwards and get the response from our guests. I compliment them and the committee on this engagement. It certainly shows the importance of pre-legislative scrutiny so we get an...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I call for a debate on the future of small businesses in this country, particularly at a time when, unfortunately, we are beginning to see shops and small bars and restaurants closing their doors, which is a very sad sight to see, not just for the town or village where that business is located but, indeed, for the entire community and local economy. Many people told me that part of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Chair and I thank the witnesses for coming here this afternoon. It has been very useful, albeit somewhat confusing, from my perspective. I am assuming that the starting point for us all here is that we would like to give gardaí every assistance possible in the investigation of crime. I think we are all on the same page in that regard. That said, we want to do it in a way...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: Is Mr. Murphy confident that by the end of the discussion with the Department, that point will be arrived at?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: As other Members did yesterday, I pass on my sympathies to the Bruton family on John's sad passing. I was taken by the contributions here yesterday from Senators and, indeed, by those of Members of the Lower House, in particular his brother, Richard, who gave a lovely and moving tribute. To John's wife, Finola, Richard and all the members of the Bruton family, I pass on my deepest...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (7 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank her sincerely for taking time out of her busy schedule to be here this afternoon. The topic I wish to discuss with the Minister of State is one she and I have discussed numerous times, which is the chronic lack of respite services for children with disabilities in County Monaghan. As the Minister of State knows, parents are at their...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (7 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for her positive response. Respite has been a problem for many a long year and long before she came into office over three years ago. Again, I thank her for taking on board the issue that particularly arises in County Monaghan and, indeed, to a lesser extent in County Cavan. She has delivered the positive news that €15 million is ring-fenced. The...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Code (13 Dec 2023)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State to the House this morning. I thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to respond to this Commencement matter. As I am sure the Minister of State is aware, red tape, form-filling and unnecessary and complex paperwork is the bane of every single business in this country, notwithstanding the importance of due diligence and clear reporting to Revenue....