Results 1-20 of 1,439 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Test (16 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, is very welcome to the House. This is the first opportunity I have had to debate him in his new role. I congratulate him on his appointment and wish him every success with it. The subject I am going to discuss, driving test waiting times, is nothing new to the Minister of State. The average waiting time...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Test (16 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I will take this opportunity to compliment him.. Since he came into office, he has grabbed this issue by the scruff of the neck and it is clear that progress is being made. I am disappointed, however, in the times for Monaghan. It just seems to be a bit of an outlier in that regard. I ask that the Minister of State would give...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome all three gentlemen here this morning and thank them for their opening statement which was very comprehensive. As they alluded to, in an ideal world they would not be here. It is disappointing that they feel there was a lack of consultation in relation not just to this issue but to other issues as well. I take this opportunity to thank our guests and the membership of RACO for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (9 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. It is estimated that there are 137,000 people in this country living with heart failure. Last week, a cross-party delegation of Senators and Deputies met a group from the Irish Heart Foundation to hear about this condition. The group is calling for greater access to cardiac rehabilitation, psychological support and help to ease the financial...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (9 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response to my question. I acknowledge the great strides being made on heart care in the State. I note the developments regarding this area as well. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, this condition is rapidly on the increase. It affects almost 150,000 people in the country. We need to be aware of it. Those affected have to endure...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (9 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire ar ais go dtí an Teach seo tráthnóna. The Minister is very welcome back to the House this afternoon. I thank him for his comprehensive outline of the background of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024. As he said, freedom of speech is important and is something that we must protect at all costs. I know journalists are powerful individuals...

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motions (3 Jul 2025)

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...

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motions (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Fearaim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire ar ais go dtí an Teach seo inniu. The Minister is very welcome back to the House this afternoon. I compliment him again on his attendance in this House. He is a regular visitor here and it is very much appreciated. I know he has a lot on his desk at the moment but the respect he clearly shows towards this House is noted and appreciated by...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank Ms NÍ Bhriain and Mr. Kelly for taking the time out to be here. Since we started this process, we have listened to a number of witnesses from both sides of the argument and I have found it very enlightening. We have got to a point where we need to have a conversation about neutrality and what exactly it means because having listened to the witnesses who have appeared to date,...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: If I may cut across Mr. Kelly for a second, is this not a simple argument of right and wrong and what side of the fence you are on? Is what the Russians have done to the Ukrainians right? Is it right what is going on in-----

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Why then does Mr. Kelly have a problem, as I see it from listening to him, taking sides in that argument?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Yes.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Is what is going on there right or wrong? That is my question. Does Mr. Kelly agree with it or does he not agree with it?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: I do not understand what he is saying to me. Is what the Russians are doing to the people of Ukraine right?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Mr. Kelly disagrees with that, so he agrees with the Irish Government's stance that what is going on there is wrong.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Right, so how does that affect our neutrality? Mr. Kelly is now taking a side in a conflict. I am only asking the question. Is that not contrary to our neutrality?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Ms Ní Bhriain is happy enough with her stance on neutrality and to let the people of Ukraine be pounded by the Russians. She is happy enough-----

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Yes, but both are connected, whether we like it or not.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: With respect to Ms Ní Bhriain, it is Russia that started this. Surely the first thing the Russians have to do is to stop their illegal invasion.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Robbie Gallagher: Fair enough. We are not going to agree on that one. Does Ms Ní Bhriain agree that we should increase our defence spending in this country to protect ourselves?