Results 1,781-1,800 of 1,954 for speaker:John Gilroy

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I wish to be helpful. The Members of the Opposition are in danger of tying themselves into linguistic knots and Senator Cullinane is talking about hypothetical houses. I will try to add some clarity to the debate. Senator Ó Domhnaill and Senator Ó Clochartaigh ask whether a future Minister could abuse this Minister's legislation for some nefarious or perfidious function and this is...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: That is what a septic tank is. It is very clear.

Seanad: Health Awareness and Physical Fitness: Motion (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I welcome the Minister. This is an important debate in which I have a particular interest. I will not refer again to the statistics which have been presented. Suffice to say that obesity is a major challenge for society in terms of obvious health impacts, healthy living, quality of life issues and even employment. It is estimated that physical inactivity costs the economy approximately...

Seanad: Health Awareness and Physical Fitness: Motion (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: It is not.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I will.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I would be slow to support this amendment. When we discussed this Bill on Second Stage a few weeks ago, Senators mentioned that there has been confusion and concern among the professional bodies and representative organisations. The Minister clarified the matter at that time. We cannot tolerate or accept anyone who does not work within best international practice, or who works without...

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: It does not.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: Senator Leyden is correct that the Minister made reference to an amendment in the Dáil which would remove the provision relating to the exclusion of local authority members from sitting on these boards. I join the Senator in seeking clarification in that regard. While his recollection is more definite than mine, reference was certainly made to such a provision.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I collected my copy of the amended Bill from the bills office this morning. As such, I presumed it was the most up to date and accurate version of the legislation. However, what Senator Leyden is saying is correct. The relevant provision, subsection 22(5)(c), on page 27, states that a member of a local authority is specifically excluded from sitting on a board.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I disagree with Senator Leyden's suggestion that Members of the Seanad should be entitled to sit on a board. The logic I follow in this instance is the same as that which applied in respect of the removal of the dual mandate. The same principle arises in this case. However, I join the Senator in seeking clarification on the exclusion of local authority members.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: Including members of the previous Government.

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I ask the Minister for State for clarification on this point. Is it correct to say that the requirement to retire at the age of 65 is laid down in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004? Is it also correct to say that an appointment to this board would constitute an entirely new contract of employment which would avoid the possibility of the application of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I was present for the entire debate in the Chamber yesterday referred to by other speakers earlier. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, was treated with a level of disrespect. When we invite Ministers to the House for statements the least we could do is treat them with the respect they deserve, and everyone here deserves that respect. Some of the Opposition spokespersons constantly heckled the...

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: Mental health is an area in which I have a particular interest as I have worked in the area for many years. I welcome the proposal to rebuild the Central Mental Hospital. I have one or two concerns in regard to the allocation of funding to A Vision for Change. Decisions made in other policy areas may well negate the best of intentions here. Do the Minister and his Department intend to...

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I welcome the Minister to the House. I also welcome the €3.9 billion of cuts in the capital programme given the circumstances we are in. It is necessary that spending be reduced by €12.4 billion over the next four years. As the Minister stated, hard political choices have to be made. This Government is and will continue to make those choices, not because it wants to but because it...

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: I placed a moratorium on my criticising Fianna Fáil. However, I must admit I am sometimes guilty of breaching it. It is difficult to be lectured by Fianna Fáil Members whose party when in government made no provision for the capital programmes it announced and to have to now listen to them say this Government's proposals are shameful.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: Some years ago Fianna Fáil announced decentralisation, which was hailed as a stroke of genius. It now turns out to be a ball of smoke, hubris nonsense that must be confronted. Perhaps the Minister will confirm the Government's commitment to providing funding for a substantial number of regeneration projects in urban areas, in particular Limerick, Ballymun and substantial parts of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: The faux indignation being expressed by the Fianna Fáil Party never fails to amaze me. It is funny at times. One might imagine that the past 14 years have not happened.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

John Gilroy: It has been said that we are like the previous Government. There have been two television programmes about the crisis in the Cabinet of the former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen. We can imagine if that Government still existed what state the country would be in.