Results 1,941-1,960 of 5,749 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (31 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister mentioned my former colleagues in the Defence Forces a number of times in his speech. I record my deep appreciation to the Army and Naval Service for the work they did on the ground in building test centres, being prepared to meet people or have centres ready for them, and to our Air Corps which flew tests to Germany and vaccines to the islands. My one regret in all of that -...

Seanad: Search and Rescue System: Motion (28 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I move: “That Seanad Éireann: recognises that: - Ireland’s Search and Rescue (SAR) system is derived from the Irish Government’s adherence to the following international conventions and guidance manuals: - International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Convention, Annex 12; - ICAO Convention, Annex 14, Volume II, Heliports; - International Convention for...

Seanad: Search and Rescue System: Motion (28 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The primary concern in any search and rescue situation is the individual or individuals on top of a mountain or in the sea who need rescuing. They do not care who rescues them. They could not care less. There has been some talk in this debate about surge capacity. It is a nonsense argument because when theCosta Concordiawent down in Italy helicopters from all over got involved in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Minister of State for joining us today. I am aware that he has plenty of other things to be doing at this time. I stated yesterday that Ireland lacks security awareness and a culture of security. It may well be based on some sort of belief in the goodness of people, which, I might say, is misguided. Does the Minister of State believe that we should increase the budget for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I am sorry that the Minister of State is being dragged through this again. There is no need for me to go over my questions again. The Minister of State was doing a good job in responding to them. I am a little concerned about the Minister of State's point that we are not at war. Even if they are criminals, I do think that we are at war with them. We must be proactive as well as reactive...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces: Discussion with Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: Like my colleagues, I extend my sympathies to the Bright family. The time, 6 a.m., must be very tough on Mr. Martin Bright. My heart goes out to him and the family. I ask that Mr. Guinan pass on my message to Mr. Bright.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces: Discussion with Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I want to start with the Naval Service. The president, Mr. Keane, spoke about the two-tier service. At the weekend, the Irish Examinercarried a story about Tadhg McCarthy who had left the Naval Service after 24 years. He was an engine room artificer. In some ways, the story was very sad. Here we have a guy who loved the job he was in but left because as the numbers fall, the work...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces: Discussion with Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The issue of a seconded position in regard to the medical assistance scheme was mentioned. Does Mr. Guinan foresee a need in that regard as the medical assistance scheme grows?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Chair. Based on what is being said today, I would be interested in Mr. Larkin's, Dr. Byrne's and Mr. Walsh’s comments on Ireland’s significant lack of a security culture and awareness. It may well be based on an insular and naive belief in goodness and the lack of interest in security and defence issues. The lack of interest leads on to an ostrich-type smugness,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: Apologies, am I back online now?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cybersecurity: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank the Chair. The head of the HSE is paid €420,000 so the €290,000, which Ms Carolan is suggesting, is not extraordinary by any means. However, it is Ms Carolan’s view that we in the public sector have to compete with the private sector for the people we are looking for. We do not pay bonuses in public sector. Does this mean that the base salary will have to be...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The Cathaoirleach has fairly blown us away.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank my colleague, Senator O'Donovan, for speaking out today. So many people do not speak out. I have personal experience within my family of somebody with epilepsy and it is a tough station. I thank Senator Kyne for raising the planning issue. We have seen what it did in Galway and Athenry, particularly, and it would be good to have that debate. I am very proud to stand here this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (19 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank Mr. Walsh for appearing before us today. I did not engage in questions with him because colleagues here live in towns very close to airports and such. Mr. Walsh's contribution was fantastic. It has given us much to work with and to think of. I thank Mr. Walsh for taking the time to be with us and the Chairman for allowing me in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (Resumed) (18 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank our guests for attending and for their comprehensive report. My question is one that probably no one really wants to ask but I will ask it in any event. Donations are coming in to support the erection of structures and in some cases, these structures are being demolished. I am trying to understand why we would erect any building in a disputed area where, as soon as it has been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (Resumed) (18 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I thank both witnesses for the comprehensive presentations. I will be brief. I ask Ms Moran what is the official position of Ireland and whether we now regard what is going on as being de facto annexation. Deputy Brady has already touched on that but I would like to know our official position. I know what I will ask might irk some but with regard to Irish Aid, we are pumping money into...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (Resumed) (13 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: We should all accept there is no such thing as one-sided war and no one side is ever on its own. We should also acknowledge today that Ireland has significant interest in what goes on in the Middle East and has troops on the ground out there on all sides. My thoughts are with them. As far as I am concerned, Hamas is a terrorist group in the worst sense of the word insofar as it will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: The Irish Examinercarries a story today about members of the Defence Forces who are not Irish by birth and who are unable to get a passport without paying €1,000 for it. It is horrendous that somebody who is prepared to stand on that wall, and look after us while we are in our beds, is denied a passport while in service. It is not uncommon for those who arrive in the United States to...

Seanad: Future of Banking in Ireland: Statements (10 May 2021)

Gerard Craughwell: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is the first time I have addressed him since this Government was formed. I welcome the reopening of the country as it is happening in a clear, managed way. The calm manner in which the Minister has dealt with questions on live media over the past 12 months about the state of the economy and the damage Covid is doing to it has been remarkable. It...