Results 1-20 of 984 for speaker:Aidan Davitt

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (9 Apr 2025)

Aidan Davitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is the first time he has been in the House since he assumed his portfolio and I sincerely and wholeheartedly congratulate him on his elevation. The Boxer, as he is called locally, as well as far and wide, which is no trade secret, and I soldiered together on Westmeath County Council for a number of years. I wish him hearty and well deserved...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Mar 2025)

Aidan Davitt: As I rise today, I thank the Cathaoirleach and commend him on the great work he has been doing with the Irish diaspora, strengthening our links through all our different established elected bodies and caucuses throughout America. Well done; it certainly does not go unnoticed. There are a couple of little issues I wish to raise. I agree with Senator Aubrey McCarthy with regard to bringing...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2025)

Aidan Davitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Grealish, and Fr. Des Walsh, who was very good to accommodate us with mass earlier this morning. I thank Fr. Walsh. I raise the topic of the proposed slashing of night-time flights into Dublin Airport. There is a proposal with An Bord Pleanála to slash night-time flights by 30%, which is contrary to what is in our programme for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Feb 2025)

Aidan Davitt: Comhghairdeas, a Chathaoirligh, agus the Leader. I wish you well, along with all the fellow Senators who were elected and appointed. My door is open to anyone who is finding their feet, from all parties and none. I would be delighted to help in any way I can. I want to mention a fellow Senator, Martin Conway, who was not present yesterday. I feel he is owed a duty of care by these...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: Well said, Senator Flynn. Congratulations to Senator Ahearn on his elevation today. I thank Martin, Bridget and all of the staff here, including clerical staff, the ushers who are so helpful every day, the gardaí and the security forces who keep the House safe, and Darren and all the catering and bar staff who look after our needs daily. I thank everyone who has been involved behind...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: I will not delay the Minister for long. This Bill, based on our budget, is key legislation to ensure all promises will come to fruition. It is very prudent and appropriate at this time to reflect on the good work that has been done by the Government over the past while and, in particular, the array of forms of assistance that have been provided to those who are not so lucky in life, from...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: I had not been born.

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: Now.

Seanad: Appropriations Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: I will be very brief because I do not wish to delay the Minister. The Moorhead report is very close to my heart and to those of my colleagues. On councillors' pensions, there was to be a review after the local elections in May to put in place a plan for councillors in order that they would be remunerated in the proper way. I am curious to hear the Minister's thoughts about putting a plan...

Seanad: Appropriations Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: We have proved the Minister wrong. We love proving him wrong.

Seanad: Appropriations Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Appropriations Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: Now.

Seanad: Appropriations Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: Now.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: I will briefly raise a matter we have discussed recently, one that is a significant topic for many Senators. I welcome Councillor Charlie Farrelly and his good wife to the Chamber. It is lovely to see them. I have been discussing councillors’ pensions since before the Moorhead report, which recommended that a commission be set up in May 2024 after the local elections. Since then, I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2024)

Aidan Davitt: Those of us who are returned to the next Seanad – please God, I will be one of them – might be able to address this issue.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Oct 2024)

Aidan Davitt: I want to raise councillors' pensions. I know we discussed this recently. I refer to the Moorhead report and its full implementation. The report contained the recommendation that councillors be given grade 4 civil servant status and the pay and all other associated benefits linked to that grade. That is very welcome, progressive and was hard fought for at the time. One part of that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Oct 2024)

Aidan Davitt: We have discussed the issue of councillors’ pensions in the past. As we are all aware, councillors are paid weekly. They pay class S PRSI, which is 4% of their remuneration.It is totally illegal. They get no pension on retirement or when they cease office although they do get a modest lump sum. It is no more than anyone in the public or Civil Service who has put in the years, such...

Seanad: Budget 2025 (Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform): Statements (1 Oct 2024)

Aidan Davitt: I am delighted to welcome the Minister of State on this busy day.It is a good news day for the Government today. I am sure it is good to be here with all the good news that is coming from the Department at present. As Senator Craughwell has mentioned, it will be a search and rescue mission for a lot of the Opposition after such a considered budget. Given that this debate focuses on the...