Results 1-20 of 2,214 for speaker:Joe Flaherty

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State. I understand Senator Curley is taking over from me here. I thank him very much.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Investigations (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Ar dtús, I know we lauded the successes of many people in soccer at the outset but before I get to the important business of my Commencement matter, I wish to single out the heroics of young Donegal man Dylan Browne McMonagle over the weekend, who was crowned Irish Champion Jockey. He unseated six-time winner Colin Keane with 95 winners. Not only that, on Saturday night, he went over...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Investigations (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate that he is probably restricted in much of what he can say, but he has to understand the frustration being felt across rural Ireland that we have an independent State agency that is seemingly answerable to nobody. The fourth site to which I refer lies across a number of townlands. The EPA, Longford County Council and everyone living in the areas...

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue. I wish to advise him, and I am sure he will share the sentiments expressed for his fellow county man, that we congratulated Dylan Browne McConalogue - my apologies, it is McMonagle, but it was close enough - earlier today on his heroics in winning the title of Irish Champion Jockey. Another champion jockey held the title for six years but...

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Yes, put him on a stamp. The Minister of State has ten minutes to make an opening statement on the important issue of the post office network.

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: The Minister of State looks like a jockey but is just too tall.

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Gabhaim buíochas mór leis an Aire. Rachaimid ar aghaidh go dtí an Rialtas. Glaoim ar an Seanadóir Comyn.

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Thank you very much, Senator. I was delighted to hear you mention John Major, the erstwhile grey man of British politics, but a man of impeccable taste, because he visited County Longford a number of years ago. I am sure you can agree with his sentiment to visit that county. Tá na Seanadóiri Evanne Ni Chuillin agus Gareth Scahill ó Fhine Gael ag roinnt a gcuid ama. An...

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I welcome Colm O'Brien from Tallaght. A frisson of excitement swept the House today when we heard he was coming in. Seemingly, he scored 55 in a game of golf yesterday. Everybody here claims scores like that but I do not believe most people believe it. I congratulate Colm on his achievement. He is a guest of Senator Andrews and I hope he enjoys his day in this every important and...

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: It is on the record of the House now.

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Thank you very much, Senator Byrne. We have just one more speaker offering. Before I bring in Senator Martin Conway, I might just make some observations myself. The €15 million for the post office network was a huge part of the budget and was very much a key plank in our programme for Government. It underpins the absolute commitment of this Government and previous incarnations of...

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I thank Senator Conway. He has brought us a few more speakers, so what he said was obviously very important.

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Good man. You can have a rest now.

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Are you sure you do not need a defibrillator?

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: The nearest defibrillator is around the corner, just in case you do need it. We were expecting Senator Fitzpatrick but I do not think she is going to be here. I welcome some very important visitors to the Gallery.They have certainly come a long way. We have visitors from Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the USA. I welcome Michael Cosgrove, Patricia Cosgrove, Susan Ritterbeck and Robert...

Seanad: National Parks: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State for a very informative overview, and commend him on the passion and enthusiasm he has brought to the role. If anyone was to be asked what Ministry they would like, it was like Santa and Christmas for him when he got this brief. There are few Ministers in the House as passionate about their portfolio as him. He has certainly hit the ground running. He brings...

Seanad: National Parks: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Apart from ourselves.

Seanad: National Parks: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: When Senator Casey was doing his declaration of interest, I thought he was going to tell us he owned the whole national park.

Seanad: National Parks: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I thank Senator Brady. I do not think we have any other speakers so I ask the ask the Minister of State to conclude and respond. I know there were an awful number of issues raised. My apologies, Senator Boyle would like to speak. We have kept the best until last.