Results 3,421-3,440 of 4,933 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I was very disappointed to hear over the weekend that a 12 year old girl from Carlow was not allowed to compete in the National Stadium for her second Irish boxing title, having already won at local provincial and national level. She had trained hard and worked long hours with her coaches in Tullow. This great fighter was refused entry to the competition by the Irish Amateur Boxing...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: -----that is something we need to examine. I wish everybody the best in the local and European elections.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am here now to make up for it.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is great. I thank the Leader.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have concerns about the Bill and I have said so. We have worked on this in the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. It is good for tenants. There are good landlords and bad landlords. Across the board, as previous speakers said, we must achieve that balance. On the report, I seek clarification from the Minister on how many pre-1963 buildings are listed. How many...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with Senator Humphreys. This is an important issue. We have been working on this Bill for months in the housing committee and I have some concerns about it. We spoke today about the different amendments. The Minister spoke about the regulations, the Revenue Commissioners and approved housing bodies or AHBs. There are 30,000 AHB properties and the Minister wants all of them to be...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I know that but it is an important issue.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing Rents (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I, too, am disappointed that neither the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, nor the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy English, is present today. I understand the frustration of Senators, and again the Minister of State who is present is taking the rap for something that is not in his Department, but I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing Rents (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This is about the discrepancies between rent caps in neighbouring counties, which mean one family pay twice as much as another living next door to them. I and other elected representatives have written to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on this matter in the recent and historic past. I am sure this issue has arisen in many counties and townlands. I will target my...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing Rents (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I do not know if this is getting through to the Department. When houses are next door to each other and the residents of one are paying nearly double the amount of the other, it causes aggro in an estate. People then go back to Carlow County Council and ask why they are paying so much. I ask the Minister of State to address these issues.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing Rents (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I will wait for the review because it is important. We will pass legislation today on the Residential Tenancies Board. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and all other parties are working together on that to help people. A smaller county such as Carlow has fallen down because our central government funding is so low, our business rates are higher, and the cap on housing is €180, which is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing Rents (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. That is a great answer.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Last week I attended at our local special school, St. Laserian's in Carlow, to honour six athletes from its gymnastics team who brought home medals for their performance at the recent Special Olympics event in Leinster. These achievements could not have been made without hard work, dedication, kindness, inspiration and care. I applaud those athletes, their coaches and the support staff in...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have been working with the Minister for three years and we have been to every housing committee meeting. I am glad to hear some of the Senators present saying they want change. While I know that the Bill does not deliver on everything, at least it is a start, given that there are changes that need to be made. In fairness to the Minister, he has given 100%, as has the Minister of State,...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This is an important Bill and I am certainly not in a rush. We have been working on it for months. As someone who is a member of the housing committee and works with the different Departments involved, it is important we do the best we can today, strike a balance and make sure we represent everybody.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: As the Senator has not attended any meeting, how does he know? I have not seen him at any meeting.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have tabled amendment No. 3, which states:In page 8, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following:“(VI) refurbishment that meets a per square foot value investment as set by regulations published by the Minister,”. This goes back to pre-1963 housing. We have all had phone calls about this today. Could this now be inserted? It is important and I want clarification on...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I move amendment No. 3:In page 8, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following:“(VI) refurbishment that meets a per square foot value investment as set by regulations published by the Minister,”.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have the same concerns as Senator Ruane. As I stated to the Minister at housing meetings, the criteria are not right. I am concerned in that regard. In my home town of Carlow, which does not meet the criteria, there are two excellent third level education colleges which require student accommodation. There is significant lack of supply of housing and the cost of rent in towns such as...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The RTB is doing a good job. Recently I have found that some landlords will not take HAP tenants. This will be the main issue in the future. They do not wish to take the HAP and due to lack of supply, that will become a serious issue. For example, there is a need for student accommodation in my area. People who are in the HAP scheme and looking for houses are finding it hard. They might...