Results 361-380 of 4,377 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: It is to conclude at 4 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: I thank the 18 Senators for raising a range of important issues. I shall commence by responding to the second issue raised by the Leader of the Opposition. I refer to the disgraceful vandalism last night of the Haunting Soldier statue on St. Stephen's Green. I am delighted to report that Office of Public Works, OPW, staff were out first thing this morning and the paint has been removed.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: The statue has been returned to its sombre self. I appreciate the comments made by the seven Senators who raised the issue. I take into account what Senator Ó Donnghaile said about the great Harry Leslie Smith, of whom I am a massive fan. The latter's politics are not necessarily my own but I admire his spirit and ability to fight, particularly for the rights of refugees. I fully...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: I say that as a Government representative here this afternoon. It is something that I task the Minister and the junior Minister in the Department with every day. We need to learn from this, particularly as we are an emigrant nation because 150 years ago, many thousands of Irish people were refugees in America, Australia and beyond. Senator Conway raised the review will be carried out on...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: We commemorated the armistice because there is nothing to celebrate about a conflict where millions of men, who were really boys, went to war and met their end, including two of my granduncles. The body of one of my granduncles is lying somewhere in a damp field in Belgium and will never be returned to his wife, children or his sister, who is my granny. Regarding Senator Ardagh's comments,...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: Senator Humphreys raised the issue of housing. Every single vehicle available to the Government to alleviate the problem is being taken. It is not just about the response to social housing needs, affordable housing needs or the role of the private sector. Everything has to be taken into account to address the issue. Every issue is being taken on by the Minister for Housing, Planning and...

Seanad: Brexit: Motion (22 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: I move:That Seanad Éireann supports the Draft Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (the draft Withdrawal Agreement), as published on 14th November, 2018, including the draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland which forms an integral part of the Draft Agreement.

Seanad: Brexit: Motion (22 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank her for providing us with an update. As Senator Craughwell stated, the Minister of State has been very generous with her time, as has been the Tánaiste. I join the Acting Chairman, Senator Wilson, in expressing good wishes to Senator Ned O'Sullivan on his elevation to the position of Fianna Fáil spokesperson on foreign...

Seanad: Brexit: Motion (22 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: Next Tuesday, 27 November, at 2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: At the risk of accusations I would like to briefly welcome the Minister of State to the House. As convenor of the French-Irish friendship group I would like to echo his welcome to the delegation from the French National Assembly. I have a couple of points which are specifically relevant to section 3. I welcome Senator Black's comments when she said this was about a wider issue, and her...

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: I hoped to speak to section 4 but the Leas-Chathaoirleach did not notice me indicating.

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: I did indicate. I ask the Senator not to interrupt me. I thank Senator Higgins for clarifying certain regulatory matters. I had concerns regarding how those regulations would interact with EU regulations. On section 6, dealing with the importation of settlement goods, will the Minister of State clarify how a conviction for an offence under subsection (1) may be appealed? If a person is...

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: For the information of the Leas-Chathaoirleach, I wish to contribute on section 11(a) when it is reached. Section 9(1) refers to territorial waters. Will the Minister of State, in summing up, differentiate between inland and offshore waters? How are disputed claims over those waters arbitrated under international law?

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: I will speak very briefly on this section. I apologise for the slip-up earlier. My point, rather than a question, relates to section 11(b) and the definition of a settler within an occupied territory. I have a concern about this. As suggested by others, amendments might be forthcoming on this on Report Stage. Within the Bill, there is an element of vagueness. One could draw the occupied...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2018)

Neale Richmond: In the last hour, the European Commission announced the rolling out of the second round of the DiscoverEU interrail ticket project. This was launched last year following strong campaigning by our MEP, Brian Hayes, in conjunction with Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party group in the European Parliament. The scheme is very simple. It gives 18 year olds across Europe the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Dec 2018)

Neale Richmond: I apologise for having to pop out for a vote in the Seanad. I welcome the Minister of State back to the committee for one of her regular and appreciated updates on a range of areas ahead of next week's important GAC meeting. I will start at the finish and work back to the meatier subject of Brexit. Needless to say, what has been happening in Hungary in recent days is worrying. The Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Dec 2018)

Neale Richmond: It was really the Article 50-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Work Permits Applications (6 Dec 2018)

Neale Richmond: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her very much for taking this Commencement matter. This is an issue she might be familiar with both in the context of her current brief and a previous portfolio. I have raised this issue and the delays in processing work permits on a number of occasions. However, I would specifically like to refer to the stamp 3 system. This week it was announced...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Work Permits Applications (6 Dec 2018)

Neale Richmond: I am very grateful to the Minister of State for her remarks, which are welcome and provide a lot of information. I am hopeful in terms of the work that will be done between the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and their Departments. Much of this feeds into the Minister of State's current role, particularly in the higher education sector, when we consider the many...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2018)

Neale Richmond: It is Queen's County.