Results 1-20 of 592 for speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I would like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to the Cathaoirleach on the sad passing of his sister in the United States and to Senator Paul Coghlan on the sad loss of his mother. Unfortunately, the insurance crisis in this country is showing no sign of abating. Every day, insurance costs are putting substantial pressure on businesses the length and breath of this country....

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: No.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jun 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: Like several of my colleagues I would like to raise the crisis in the home care sector which is affecting the most vulnerable in our society. More than 6,000 people are awaiting funding for home care packages in Ireland today. In my own constituency of Cavan-Monaghan more than 300 people are waiting on home care packages. People are assessed and approved but the funding that would allow...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: At the outset I wish to apologise to the witnesses. I had to go out earlier for another meeting. This is the second day on which we have heard presentations from witnesses on this area. I have come away with the conclusion that the system, as we have it, is failing the children concerned, as well as the parents of those children. It is failing the schools and teachers as well. I can...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (30 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome everybody here this morning. Based on the contributions we have heard so far, and I am conscious we are hearing only half of the story, it clearly indicates that we have a serious problem. Deputy Byrne said the policy of the Minister is very clear on what should happen, but the reality of what is happening is quite different. Based on the contributions I have heard so far, there...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Use of Reduced Timetables: Discussion (30 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I am heartened by what our guests outlined is the procedure within their schools. I appreciate Mr. Goff's and Mr. Golden's points and their experience, given that they have been school principals for a long period. On the face of it, there seems to be a conflict, although that might be too strong a word, between their contributions and those we heard earlier. I am heartened that when...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: We all know well that the life of a farmer is a tough one. Farmers work long hours, many work seven days a week, and much of that time is spent working on their own. The HSE recently conducted a survey, on which I compliment it, on farmers' health generally. It conducted a pilot scheme in livestock marts throughout the country. The findings are very worrying. Farmers are more inclined to...

Seanad: Farm Safety Agency Bill 2018: Second Stage (29 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I am delighted to welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber this afternoon. On a personal level, I am delighted to second the Farm Safety Agency Bill 2018 put forward today by my colleague, Senator Paul Daly. At this point I wish to compliment Senator Daly on bringing forward this important legislation. I wish to compliment him on the many long hours and days he has put in to bringing...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (22 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I join others in congratulating the Minister of State on taking a common sense approach to this issue. This is a very sensible proposal and I am glad to see the Government is on board with it. I compliment my colleague, Senator Swanick, a doctor, on his work in this particular area. I support my colleague, Senator Mullen, and the sentiments he expressed about GPs, many of whom are leaving...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (22 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I fully support these amendments. I thank the Minister of State for the discussions she had with Fianna Fáil, resulting in the Oireachtas education committee having an opportunity to meet with representatives of language teachers to discuss issues surrounding this Bill. I know Senator Ruane who is also on the committee will also welcome that opportunity.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Home Care Packages Funding (16 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Ar dtús a Aire Stáit, ba mhaith liom fáilte mhór a chur romhat go dtí an Teach seo inniu. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I would like to discuss the crisis in home care and home help in the HSE sector. Elderly people are suffering without home care because the HSE has frozen the provision of home care packages....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Home Care Packages Funding (16 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for her response and I appreciate that this is not her area. I am disappointed with the content of the response, however. There is clearly little comfort here for the more than 300 people waiting on home care packages in Monaghan and Cavan, and there is little comfort for their families as well. People are saying to me that we can spend billions building...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: Recent figures released by the Department of Health show that the number of persons awaiting a child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS, appointment stood at 2,738 at the end of March 2019. That figure represents an increase of 6% on the previous month. More worrying is the fact that the number who have been waiting more than a year for an appointment has jumped to 336. That...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: Based on the Leader's contribution, I can understand why the bank would want him to go on Banking 365 online.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (8 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, to the House. I raise the proposed closure of Caridas House in Drumconrath, County Meath. The proposal to remove a terminally ill gentleman from the facility has left him and his family distraught. Caridas House is a three-bedroom residential unit, where two people currently reside. One of the residents, a 62 year old male with special...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (8 May 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his response. He is a decent, honourable and fair individual. The backdrop to the matter is that the gentleman to whom I referred has resided at Caridas House for the past 13 years, is very happy and feels very safe there. In the event of emergency, there is a GP located next door at the current site. This gentleman does not want to leave and he was led...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Apr 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I refer to the fair deal scheme for farm families and the delay on the part of the Government in bringing forward promised legislation to make it easier for such families. When I tabled a Commencement matter to discuss the issue a few months ago, the Minister indicated to me that legislation was imminent. However, I am disappointed to learn that the heads of the Bill have yet to be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Procurement Regulations (16 Apr 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: The Minister of State is very welcome. Four State contracts are under way in Monaghan town at present, all of which have been secured by contractors from outside the State. I understand the requirements of the State tendering process but is there a need for a review of that process to ensure absolute fairness? Local people in Monaghan naturally are asking questions about the process that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Procurement Regulations (16 Apr 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for his response. As I am sure he can appreciate, it is very frustrating for a local contractor who does not see one, two or three but four contracts going to contractors from outside the State, bearing in mind that these jobs are not that big to start with. It is frustrating for people who are left wondering why their tender was not successful. I understand...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2019)

Robbie Gallagher: Last week, to mark World Parkinson's Day, a demonstration was held outside the gates of Leinster House. The people there were calling for more support and a right to access specialist care. Research clearly shows that there should be one Parkinson's nurse specialist for every 300 patients, yet in Ireland in 2019, there are only five specialist nurses for 12,000 people. Parkinson's patients...