Results 1-20 of 1,933 for speaker:Chris Andrews

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: I extend my condolences to the family of former Senator Michael Calnan and to the Labour Party. Breaches under the Animal Health and Welfare Act area beyond disappointing. They are absolutely shocking. They are not a deterrent at all. Recent cases highlight how ineffective and lenient the courts and legislation are on animal abusers. Dog Law Ireland, a group of solicitors who are dog...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: As a Shamrock Rovers supporter, I support Senator Ní Chuilinn's congratulations to Pico Lopes. Let us hope he does the league and cup double this year and adds to his great year qualifying for the World Cup. The Government is going to miss its social and affordable housing targets this year. There is too much red tape holding back councils and approved housing bodies. This is why...

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (21 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: Pearse House is not too far from here. Obviously, people know it because it is a big flat complex comprising over 350 homes. These flats were built by Herbert Simms, who built a lot of public housing in Dublin, in the 1930s. They were revolutionary at the time and transformed and made a huge difference to people's lives. Over time, standards have changed and the size of flats has changed....

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (21 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: I will give some background to this, if that is okay and if there is time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: My question is for Mr. Flynn and Mr. Mitchell. Their opening statement referred to regenerating our city core via the establishment of a special purpose vehicle for the city centre of Dublin. As part of that SPV, where in the south side would be covered? I am referring to the south inner city.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: My understanding is that the south inner city mostly is not included. I will look at Pearse Street itself, where Trinity College has done untold damage, as Mr. Flynn and Mr. Mitchell know well. Trinity College has turned its back on Pearse Street and on the community. Quite a significant length of Pearse Street is sterile. It needs to be activated. I think that should be part of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: So Trinity College will be----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: It is just that when the urban regeneration catalysts were mentioned, at the sixth or seventh point the document referred to place-making and the public realm on Liffey Street, Talbot Street, Cathal Brugha Street, Capel Street and Parliament Street. I know the witnesses have been presented with this so I understand. It seems to be all centred on the north inner city and I am very happy for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó – Order of Business (15 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: Earlier this year, Pearse House residents were devastated to hear that the regeneration plans for their flat complex were going to be pulled. The Government said the plans were pulled because there was no additionality on the site. On a superficial level, one would think that is reasonable. However, the Pearse House complex was built in the 1930s. The flats are absolutely tiny. There is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: I very much welcome the respite for Palestinians in Gaza. However, I most definitely do not want to be associated with the congratulations to Donald Trump, who is a genocide enabler and a psychopath, in my view. I also extend my sympathies to Senator Teresa Costello on the loss of her father. We are thinking of her. Today, a group of TDs, Senators and MEPs visited Dublin city dog...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank Senator Comyn.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Oct 2025)

Chris Andrews: I thank everybody for their good wishes. It is nice to be back. The surroundings are a lot nicer than I have been used to for the last month or so. On 1 October, Israel kidnapped citizens of 44 nations from international waters.They were on a humanitarian mission, a non-violent peaceful mission. Despite kidnapping 44 citizens from 44 nations, Israel faces no consequences. It is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: The Dublin City Taskforce should really be renamed the "north inner city Dublin task force" because it will not actually impact the south inner city. For instance, Pearse Street and Kevin Street are very important parts of the city and the task force will have no impact there. Dublin City Council has been appointed to head up this new task force and to regenerate the inner city. It is...

Committee on Children and Equality: General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: I will do the lotto after this meeting because my luck is changing. I thank everybody for their presentations. I feel that the adding the tenth - socioeconomic status - is really important. With a few exceptions, groups and unions are not doing enough to campaign for the addition of socioeconomic status. There are a few exceptions but I believe there needs to be a very strong campaign on...

Committee on Children and Equality: General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: Yes. If legislation is passed, the WRC would have an increased workload. What sort of additional resources will it need? I emphasise the need for the addition of socioeconomic status as a ground because as Ms Walsh has said, it is really important not just at a personal level, but at a systemic and an international level. We can be leaders in this and it would be really positive when...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: There seems to be one law for Palestinians who are applying for visas in Ireland and one law for Israelis applying for visas in Ireland. There are no restrictions on Israelis applying for visas here. Looking at the recent example of GAA Palestine trying to bring 33 children here to Ireland to play GAA - Gaelic football and hurling - it would be a huge opportunity for the children and...

Seanad: Sport: Statements (16 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: I am sharing my time with Senator Collins.

Seanad: Sport: Statements (16 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: Sport is the bedrock of many communities across Ireland. It is so important for physical and mental health. GAA, soccer, rowing, cricket, boxing and many other sports clubs are vital outlets for youth and social participation helping not only individual physical and mental health but building social bonds that can last a lifetime, tying together and supporting people of all ages. We should...

Seanad: Sport: Statements (16 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: Likewise, we can only be proud of our record-breaking Olympic team last summer and the continued success and positivity of our Gaelic games. It is worth recognising the popularity of our domestic sports. Football, hurling and camogie are essentially unrivalled in Europe where globalised sports such as soccer, cricket and rugby are the only games in town. Where else in Europe can indigenous...

Seanad: Sport: Statements (16 Jul 2025)

Chris Andrews: Before I call up the next speaker, I welcome visitors from Teach Oscail Family Resource Centre, Cavan, who are guests of Senator Pauline Tully. If they were with a school we would give them homework off for the rest of the week, but they are not. They are very welcome. I call Senator Joe Flaherty.