Results 141-160 of 945 for speaker:Aidan Davitt

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Nov 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I wish to raise today a matter that was recently brought to my attention regarding a little accident. Most of us grew up or have been around rural settings and farmyards. We would have learned our trade driving different machines and started off in tractors and all that sort of stuff. There have been great campaigns on safety with regard to machinery in recent years but there is something...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Oct 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I rise in support of Ukrainians and the struggle they face daily. I am proud we have been able to accommodate 60-odd thousand displaced Ukrainians. However, I have been disappointed by some recent negative comments about Ireland's attempts to accommodate Ukrainians seeking refuge. I was surprised some saw fit to criticise the State in the mainstream media in terms of all we have been...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Oct 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I rise to raise a topic that has been raised by a number of Senators, that is, the stay on evictions and the greater and general topic of housing. I agree with Senator Gavan that it would be no harm to have a discussion on housing in this House. That would be informative for everyone. I welcome the Minister's decision to introduce a stay on evictions over the winter period. It is a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Oct 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I wish to bring up the issue of the burdens facing businesses in Ireland. There was a recent review that found that approximately 10,000 businesses are under financial strain and pressure at present. A lot of that is due to the warehousing of taxes from the Covid era. That has been filtering to an end. That is causing serious problems at a time when businesses are looking to a slowdown in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Oct 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I wish to raise an issue that is quite serious and has been a scourge in recent years, namely class A drugs. We really have to tackle the problem head-on. As we know, the types of drugs coming in have changed significantly. Even in rural communities, one would be shocked to see how common cocaine and similar types of drugs have become. Heretofore, such drugs were prevalent on nights out...

Seanad: Budget 2023 (Public Expenditure and Reform): Statements (27 Sep 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I am delighted to welcome the Minister of State. As I discussed with the Cathaoirleach, I shared my time earlier with Senator O'Loughlin. I commend this very balanced budget. Several things have been pointed out by Senators. The funding towards childcare is a very prudent and forward step and is something I have talked about on numerous occasions in the House. To follow on from that,...

Seanad: Budget 2023 (Public Expenditure and Reform): Statements (27 Sep 2022)

Aidan Davitt: Tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jul 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I will speak about Georgia's accession to the EU. This has come more to the fore with what we have seen of Russia's destructive acts in Ukraine. As we are aware, Georgia has already felt the brunt of Russia's forces in recent years. I strongly believe Georgia's accession should be dealt with in tandem with Ukraine's at present. Georgia has done quite a lot of work in this area. In 1996,...

Seanad: National Lottery (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I thank the Minister of State and welcome him and his judgement. This Bill has been before the House previously and we discussed it at length. The Minister of State took on a lot of the practical complications that were involved in the Bill. Senator Ward put a lot of work into it and I commend him on what he is trying to do with the Bill. I have serious concerns with part of it as I have...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2022)

Aidan Davitt: Now.

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2022)

Aidan Davitt: Now.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (23 Jun 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I support Senator Boyhan's request on this issue. It is a very practical measure and I hope the Minister will see fit to include it in the legislation.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (23 Jun 2022)

Aidan Davitt: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Jun 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I raise the issue of maternity leave for county councillors. As the Deputy Leader knows, this matter is coming before the Cabinet this week. It is a matter I have discussed over several years here and I am delighted to have fed input into the proposed policy coming before the Cabinet. On reflection, this type of leave scheme is one that could be expanded. Recently, one of our own...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jun 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I call for a debate in the House on Ireland's corporate tax rate. There is a need for a proper debate and discussion with the Minister for Finance on the future of the minimum global rate which, as we all know, has been quite a hot topic. For context, I am watching developments in both the US and Poland. In the US, the Republican Party in the House is holding up the agreement to accept the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (31 May 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter and welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am sure she is well aware of the matter as she is working hard in this area. I have seen some of the great work that has been done over the last number of years, particularly in St. Finian's College in Mullingar. Special education units have been very useful and well resourced under this...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (31 May 2022)

Aidan Davitt: The Minister of State seems to be aware of the timeline. The school applied to the Department in April. Is it long since the Department sought the additional information back? My understanding is that the school is very gung ho and keen to move on with the project. If the request from the Department was made recently, it may be that we could liaise a bit more strongly with the school or...

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (18 May 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He seems to be spending quite a lot of time working in here. We are delighted to see him again today. This is certainly a very proactive Bill. The general gist, the thinking and the logic behind it seem to be very logical. We are happy to progress with it. I know the Minister of State will speak to it now. I am curious. We discussed it...

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (18 May 2022)

Aidan Davitt: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 May 2022)

Aidan Davitt: I ask the Deputy Leader to liaise with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and see if, with the Cathaoirleach's help, he will come to the House for a debate on e-scooters. I know legislation is being proposed and in draft but it has to be addressed sooner rather than later. As we all know, it can take a long time for legislation to get through this House. They could be dealt...