Results 21-40 of 159 for speaker:Billy Lawless

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Broadcasting Service Provision (2 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Amendments to Councillors' Conditions: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and welcome the Minister. I also welcome the support given to councillors, who in this day and age should be on the living wage. I live in Chicago most of the time and can tell the House that the aldermen in the city council there are not alone paid more than the living wage but have a fund-raiser every second week as well where us business people have to go...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces Reserve: Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association (9 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: The national guard or the national reserves in most countries as far as I can see work hand in hand with the regular defence forces. This is a very damning report. It is very disturbing to think that our Reserve members would be treated with such contempt. I did not realise that this was going on at all in the Reserve Defence Force.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Passport Service: Senator Robbie Gallagher (9 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I thank Senator Gallagher for his presentation. I think his suggestion makes complete sense. It is especially relevant to those living in the area near the Northern counties. The decentralisation of a passport office makes sense in the aftermath of the Brexit vote and as a sign of goodwill from ourselves down in the South towards our colleagues and citizens in Northern Ireland. It would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Consular Service: Motion (9 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I think it is an excellent idea, especially where Senator Daly and I are coming from with regards to the undocumented Irish people in the United State. We would like to get up-to-date figures. The figures we are using are definitely more than ten years old. I would like to know exactly the number of undocumented Irish in the mid American states. We are always concentrating on Chicago, the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Consular Service: Motion (9 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: The honorary consuls are not paid. It is an honorary position.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Third Level Fees (21 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, for attending. In 1995 the then Government decided to abolish undergraduate fees for Irish and other EU students. The scheme was generally referred to as the free fees initiative. Fees were cut by 50% in 1995 and eliminated thereafter. In announcing the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Third Level Fees (21 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I thank the Minister for the response. I would like to put on record that whereas I am aware they do not fall under his responsibility, in addition to issues around access to third level education there are a number of other problems facing returning emigrants, including car insurance, driving licences, grants for first-time home buyers, etc. I would ask that the Government as a whole...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Third Level Fees (21 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I appreciate what the Minister of State has outlined and thank him.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 12, Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017, be taken before No. 1.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: First Stage (23 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2008 and to provide for related matters.

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Billy Lawless: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also welcome the continued support for the global Irish by his Department and the Government. I have been working with immigration support groups in Chicago and nationwide for over 12 years. I was one of the founding members of the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform. Successive Governments, and the current Taoiseach in particular, have...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2017)

Billy Lawless: As the first speaker on behalf of the Independent group of Senators, I express our deep sympathy to the family of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick on their tragic loss and our warm support for the other families still awaiting news of loved ones also on the helicopter. I also express our condolences on the sudden and tragic loss of Derry footballer, Ryan McBride. I want also to express my personal...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2017)

Billy Lawless: This is disappointing. I ask the Government to reconsider holding the referendum at a much earlier stage. On Sunday last, along with a number of organisations, I attended a rally in Daley Plaza in Chicago to protest in solidarity with the Muslim immigrant community that has been unfairly targeted by President Trump's unconstitutional executive order. Speaking at that rally Senator Dick...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Referendum Campaigns (29 Mar 2017)

Billy Lawless: I thank the Minister of State for attending today and I also take the opportunity to thank the Taoiseach for announcing a commitment to hold a referendum to allow Irish citizens abroad to vote in Presidential elections. This is an issue which I, along with many other groups, have campaigned for over a number of years and which was recommended by the Constitutional Convention in 2013. Too...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Referendum Campaigns (29 Mar 2017)

Billy Lawless: I am delighted to note the commitment both from the Minister of State, with whom I have discussed this on many occasions, and especially the Taoiseach, but it is past time. I am disappointed we will not be able to hold a referendum before the next Presidential election. When I mentioned this to our citizens abroad they were really delighted. They were delighted also when I was appointed by...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Billy Lawless: I commend Senator Warfield for bringing this Bill forward today and also the National Youth Council of Ireland, which has been instrumental in promoting it. As has been noted on the record of this House countless times, including earlier today, I have been very supportive of extending voting rights in Presidential elections to the Irish living abroad. I would also like to lend my support to...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Billy Lawless: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am grateful for the opportunity to debate the Bill, which has been co-sponsored by Senators McDowell, Boyhan and Craughwell and for which I hope to obtain the support of the majority of the House. The Bill has one very simple and straightforward objective, which is to remove the prohibition on...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Billy Lawless: He continued:We talk about creating an inclusive society, openness and giving people responsibility for their actions. Perhaps somebody could tell me why pubs do not open on Good Friday. He went on to capture what has now become the great irony of the Good Friday prohibition, stating that, "The prescription is more often honoured in the breach than the observance." This is plainly the case...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Billy Lawless: Currently, an 18-year old with €10 can buy ten cans of beer on Holy Thursday to keep for the next day, but cannot walk into a pub and meet friends where he or she might buy two or three drinks with the same money. Keeping pubs closed on Good Friday actively incentivises binge drinking where people - particularly students - gather all day in arranged premises, and bring cans of beer...