Results 1-20 of 1,898 for speaker:Chris Andrews

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Control of Dogs (3 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss the matter of XL bullies. Despite recent changes, XL bully legislation continues to fall short in several key areas, particularly in fairness, due process and clarity. The introduction of a review process for private owners of dogs to seek a certificate of exemption is welcome and important, but the legislation still lacks...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Control of Dogs (3 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: I do not believe for a second that dog bans work for a variety of reasons. I do not have the time to go into it now. The key point is that the appeal process afforded to private dog owners should be afforded to rescues and pounds. However, because of the vague language in the legislation proposed, such as the use of the word "type", it encompasses all bully breeds and that is going to have...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: Last week, it was announced that Penneys was making 100 of its Dublin staff redundant as part of a plan to outsource many of its roles to India. This decision was taken not out of necessity but out of a desire to maximise profits for the bosses and shareholders. Penneys is not a company that is struggling and it has been expanding rapidly across Europe, North America and Asia. Penneys made...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: I wish to acknowledge Mason in the Gallery and wish him well when he is running for President in the future. He would make a very fine President. Dublin is rightfully proud of our republican history, with the Easter Rising utterly changing the course of Irish history. More than any other place, the GPO is the iconic symbol of this revolutionary struggle. It was at the GPO that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: Rathmines post office is being sold off. It is a beautiful art deco building in the heart of Rathmines. It is shameful to see it go. Post offices are essential services. They are the social infrastructure of the community. The post office in Rathmines is moving to the local Centra shop close by. This is no criticism of the owner of Centra. If it was not for him, there would not be any...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Litter Pollution (25 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I acknowledge the visit of Stillorgan College of Further Education. I hope they enjoy their tour of the Oireachtas. They are in safe hands with services officer, Jack. I wish them the best of luck. If they were in secondary school, we would let them off homework for the rest of the week.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (25 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I am disappointed the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is not here. This is a really important issue for so many families living right across the city. There are tens of thousands of people living in flats in inner-city communities that have been neglected for decades. I cannot help but think that the Government is engaging...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (25 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State, but his response is disappointing. It is clear to many residents in the south inner city that the Government does note care about them or their families. There seems to be no direction. The only direction is a general descent into dereliction. Looking at the list the Minister of State read out, none of the flats in the south-east inner city are benefiting...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I acknowledge the young people from Slí, the sustainable living initiative, from County Waterford in the Visitors Gallery. Their vision is of a global community working together to ensure an equitable and sustainable future for all. Slí is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and ethically conscious community. It tries to empower people through education and action. I commend...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: While Dublin hurling has had many dark days over the years, Saturday was not one of them. The Dublin hurlers had a fantastic victory over an iconic, amazing Limerick team. Hopefully, Dublin can win their next match against Cork. I acknowledge those who believed in Dublin hurling for so many years and who fought for it during those dark days. I think of people like Shay Connolly from...

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank Mr. Deering for the presentation and I thank him and Ms O'Donoghue for coming before the committee. What is the approach of the Office of the Ombudsman to Dublin City Council and how it treats its tenants with regard to maintenance issues and allocations? Private tenants have access to the RTB but Dublin City Council tenants do not have this access. Is this something on which the...

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: The Office of the Ombudsman has had some success. Has it made any recommendation that there be a statutory measure whereby Dublin City Council tenants could be heard by the RTB?

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: Will Mr. Deering consider doing this?

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: It is pretty significant. I know it is not only with regard to Dublin City Council. Tenants throughout the State are left in horrendous conditions and they do not have anywhere to go in many cases. It is appalling how they are treated. With regard to the HAP report how does Mr. Deering envisage the recommendations of the report being implemented? It is all very well having a report,...

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: So the target set in that report-----

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank Mr. Deering for that. What is the process in terms of assessing and the details around particular cases the Office of the Ombudsman will take on? What does that process look like?

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: The process is different for individual complaints and the broader element.

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: How long would that process take generally? I know it is huge.

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: The Office of the Ombudsman would not come out with any statements or announcements until it has investigated thoroughly.

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman (24 Jun 2025)

Chris Andrews: I will give Mr. Deering one. I think Dublin City Council tenants need to come under the RTB. The weight of the Office of the Ombudsman would be very helpful for that. It is very important.