Results 1,621-1,640 of 4,178 for speaker:Paul Gavan

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (9 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: I am standing in for my colleague, Senator Ó Donnghaile, today. I will begin by congratulating Senator Chambers. I agree with everything she said about this being a very good day for this House. It is a very significant Bill. Before I speak to the Bill specifically, I will commend the makers of Monday night's "RTÉ Investigates" programme. It was a powerful, disturbing and very...

Seanad: Uyghur Tribunal: Motion (9 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: I welcome the Minister of State. The last time a motion was before the Seanad regarding the treatment of the Uyghur people by the Chinese Government, my colleague, Senator Ó Donnghaile, spoke clearly and directly on this matter. Unfortunately, he is unable to be with us this week and he has asked me to step in. I will reiterate what he said on that last occasion. Sinn Féin is...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (9 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: It is good to see the Minister of State. Sinn Féin welcomes this evening's Bill. It seeks to criminalise the giving of false information to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board under section 11, which relates to the making of assessments, and section 23, which gives the board the power to require additional information from third parties, of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act...

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

Paul Gavan: I want to raise the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland's report into 27 loyalist murders and attempted murders in south Belfast between 1990 and 1998. As the House knows, this report comes on the back of previous reports into loyalist killings in south Down and the north west and is further evidence of a systematic policy of collusion between state forces and loyalist death squads. My...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: I place on record my appreciation to the Leader for allocating cross-party time next Thursday for the Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021. It is another example of how this House can work constructively and positively on important issues. I know it is a Thursday afternoon but I appeal to Members, again on a cross-party basis, to ensure we have an important Committee...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: Well said.

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

Paul Gavan: I want to begin by supporting every word our colleague, Senator Black, said regarding Palestine, an issue raised by Senator Ó Donnghaile yesterday. I have visited Palestine and seen first-hand the horrors of apartheid. Let me be clear, it is an apartheid state. Many fine Jewish activists also acknowledged that, including organisations like B'Tselem. We know what we need to do, and...

Seanad: Passport Office Service: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: The Minister is welcome to the House. This has been a constructive debate and I would not describe it as a waste of time. All of us, on a cross-party basis, have faced challenges relating to this issue. It is difficult because there is, at times, a sense of powerlessness, or there has been, as to whether we can help to get someone sorted with a passport. It is also important to recognise...

Seanad: Passport Office Service: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: It probably will not.

Seanad: Passport Office Service: Motion (2 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: We can agree on that.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: I second Senator Flynn's amendment. I am very proud to do so on behalf of the Sinn Féin party. I welcome the Acting Leader. I very much acknowledge her work as part of the Irish delegation to the Council of Europe. She has led that team in a way that means it is fitting she is Acting Leader today. I wish everyone a happy St. Brigid's Day. The Brigid I would follow would be more the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: However, once we are happy with the day, it is all good. It will be a very welcome addition to our bank holidays next year. Do not be looking at me like that, Senator Mullen. I am only having a laugh, all right.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: I know there was not. The issue I want to raise relates to the leaving certificate. There were voices on all sides of this Chamber last week appealing to the Government, particularly the Minister for Education, to work towards a hybrid model.We made those calls because all Members have had contact from students and parents who are really concerned. The idea of moving to a traditional...

Seanad: Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022: Second Stage (1 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: The Tánaiste is very welcome. It is nice to see him and it is nice to see the Bill. I welcome it on behalf of Sinn Féin. Some of us have been on a long campaign journey in respect of this issue. Today is an important day on that journey and I wish to acknowledge in particular my colleagues in the trade union movement, the One Galway movement, SIPTU, Mandate and Unite who have...

Seanad: Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022: Second Stage (1 Feb 2022)

Paul Gavan: Well said.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Paul Gavan: I wish to raise two issues. The first is that while many are concerned about the ongoing international difficulties and challenges concerning Russia, Ukraine and the build up of forces across the NATO region and the east, I really hope our Government is playing a constructive role in trying to de-escalate the tension. The more arms and munitions that are being ferried by both sides, the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Paul Gavan: Of course I would object to it. Absolutely.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Paul Gavan: I believe Ireland should be a neutral country. I am proud to support our neutrality.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Paul Gavan: I want to finish this week on a positive note. The Leader may recall the distressing story of a Pakistani national facing homelessness at Christmas. I wrote to Kilkenny County Council on the back of it. The man in question had undergone a horrific experience of human trafficking. He was living in a stable and was being treated by a vet for three years. It is a horrific story. Kilkenny...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Paul Gavan: Well said.