Results 1-20 of 555 for at speaker:Robbie Gallagher

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the Ulster Senior Football Championship final between Donegal and Armagh. It was really a remarkable occasion. It was a day that gave us everything. We had sunshine, rain, thunder, lightning and a magnificent game of football that ultimately went to penalties to decide the winner. However, it is not so much the game I want to talk about here...

Seanad: Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Second Stage (14 May 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (8 May 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach seo inniu. The most recent statistics from the Garda on domestic violence reports show that in excess of 54,000 reports were made in 2023. That is an 8% increase on 2022. I will share a few other statistics I found truly shocking. It is estimated that one in...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Road Network (1 May 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State. There is no doubt that the adverse weather conditions have had a detrimental effect on our local and regional roads and the Minister of State accepts this. I understand and accept that €650 million has been allocated towards the road network but it is simply not good enough. I appreciate that the Minister of State has been handed his statement by the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I might talk about the current figure of 30,000 for EU countries to share, whereby every country will get a percentage, based on GDP and population, of that 30,000. There are some fears that, perhaps, that figure will ultimately grow. Is there a ceiling to it such that member states will have an option to discuss it and perhaps to opt out of it at some point within the agreement?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: There is no opt-out, therefore, at any point down the road. We will be tied into it.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (16 Apr 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister for being here. His schedule is a very busy one and I appreciate him taking the time to respond on this Commencement matter. Everyone can agree the phrase "April showers" has taken on a whole new aspect this year, with torrential rain saturating the ground across the entire country. When people's livelihood and the welfare of their animals or crops are so seriously...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (16 Apr 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. Like myself, he was born and raised on a farm so I know he gets this and knows exactly what we are talking about. As he alluded to, farming can be a lonely occupation where people work on their own and have a lot of time to think. At this time, farmers and their families are under severe mental health pressure. It is incumbent on us to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2024: Discussion (16 Apr 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank welcome the witnesses here this afternoon and thank them for their contributions. A few speakers have mentioned that the world is a changed place from when this legislation came in in 1996. I note that more than €200 million has been returned to the State's coffers which is a testament to the bureau's work and I compliment them on it. We have got to a point now whereby the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2024: Discussion (16 Apr 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I was wondering whether there was a trend due to the legislation lagging from where the real world was at, and whether that was reflected in the return year on year to the Exchequer. It does not appear that is the case.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fuel Prices (21 Mar 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I thank the Minister of State for the response. It is vital the Government gets the impact this would have on Border filling stations, many of which are located in my own county of Cavan as well as in Donegal, Leitrim and Louth. This will have a devastating effect. While I am disappointed the Government is proceeding with the increase on 1 April, I take some solace from the fact the August...

Seanad: Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023: Second Stage (20 Mar 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: The Minister of State is very welcome to the House today to debate the Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023. I thank him for outlining the general draft of the Bill. It is imperative in any society that citizens have access to the courts in a prompt timeframe and that courts will be properly resourced. Having an efficient court system that provides timely access to justice is of central...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Financial Services (7 Mar 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I welcome the Minister of State. The Central Bank has recently confirmed that large numbers of mortgage holders whose loans were sold to vulture funds are unable to use the ombudsman service to make complaints if they are in dispute over the handling of their loans. It is estimated that up to 100,000 borrowers have had mortgages sold to vulture funds, with credit servicing firms acting on...

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

Robbie Gallagher: In 2022, 901 animals were attacked by dogs: 755 sheep and 77 cattle were attacked. Unfortunately, that figure is on the rise. The scene of a sheep attack by dogs is truly horrific, apart from the financial burden it inflicts upon the farmer and his family. For example, losing ten pregnant ewes could cost as much as €2,000 to replace. Apart from the financial hardship, there is also...

Seanad: Community Safety and Investment: Motion [Private Members] (28 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: ...on bringing forward this very important motion. It is a very timely motion and, from a Fianna Fáil perspective, we are very happy to support the motion as outlined by the Labour Party Senators this afternoon. This is motion we can all agree with. Everyone wants safer communities, be that in this city or in any other city or, indeed, any town or village in the country. Much...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: A report issued this morning shows that the commercial property vacancy rate is at its highest level in ten years.There are something like 30,000 vacant commercial units across the length and breadth of the country. Here in the city I understand there are 19 office blocks, eight of which are brand new, that have not been occupied and are lying vacant. This is in addition to a further 15 in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I, too, wish to join with others in congratulating the Deputy Leader on her great performance at the weekend. I certainly wish her well from here on in. Bualadh bos on her performance. I would also like to mention Senator Ward, who equally performed well. It shows the quality that lies within the four walls of this particular room.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: Today, and many times previously, I have spoken about the digital age and how it is moving at a pace that no one can stop. No one wants to stop it. It is a train that, unfortunately, not everyone is capable of buying a ticket for or getting access to. I have in mind those people who call to my office, including elderly people, who find it difficult to get a bus ticket as they have to buy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: ...to pop out there and I will have to go back afterwards and get the response from our guests. I compliment them and the committee on this engagement. It certainly shows the importance of pre-legislative scrutiny so we get an opportunity to hear first hand from the people at the coalface about how proposed legislation is going to affect the day-to-day running of whatever organisation it...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2024)

Robbie Gallagher: I call for a debate on the future of small businesses in this country, particularly at a time when, unfortunately, we are beginning to see shops and small bars and restaurants closing their doors, which is a very sad sight to see, not just for the town or village where that business is located but, indeed, for the entire community and local economy. Many people told me that part of the...