Results 3,461-3,480 of 4,899 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Today, I would like to talk about gambling. It is estimated that we lose over €2 billion to gambling every year in this country but it is impossible to know how much we as a nation are losing. Many of us gamble and do not even know that we are doing it. Many events are tied into gambling and instant betting is acceptable on phones and laptops. There is no longer the stigma of being...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I know.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Language is important and we have all learned a new language during the past two years of negotiations. There is a dangerous air of the unknown about the coming weeks and months. The language used last night in Strasbourg has made things considerably less clear regarding the withdrawal agreement or any changes to the backstop. We still await a vote in the UK House of Commons tonight and a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I would like to raise the issue of the provision of public transport in circumstances where the nearest hospital is 40 minutes away because it is important, but also because last weekend unexpected heavy snowfall delayed traffic on a major route in Leinster and the first responders could not access collisions on the road due to the infrastructure and the snow. As usual, it is about...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: In the past two decades, the number of Traveller families in need of accommodation has more than doubled, and more and more Travellers are presenting as homeless.Many Travellers are living in chronically overcrowded conditions and are excluded from Government statistics on homelessness. I see that this a major issue from Travellers coming into my clinics. This is wholly unacceptable....

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I accept that. The figures are staggering. They are a concern and a worry. We need everybody to work together. Senators represent and work for everybody who comes into our clinics. We need balance, accountability and awareness and to have everybody working together. While I understand that people have concerns and we have to work with that, all of us must work together to ensure we...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is very difficult.

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have queries about that.

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The Minister of State needs to give a directive to the effect that we should have this.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State and welcome him to the House. Fianna Fáil supports this legislation, which implements the independent commission's recommendations on new boundaries for EU Parliament elections and increases Ireland's representation from 11 to 13 MEPs due to the redistribution of the UK's seats. These additional seats may be subject to a freeze in the case that Article 50...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is ironic that they are looking for more representation when their Northern members refuse to attend two out of the three parliaments they are elected to.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The European Parliament is the world’s only transnational parliament that is directly elected. It has powers over important decisions, such as how public money is spent through the EU's common budget, and how the Single Market is regulated. We must have a strong voice in those decisions. There are currently 751 MEPs in the EU Parliament. Brexit will result in 73 MEPs exiting the...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Establishing a new national list constituency if the right to vote was extended to all Irish citizens as required the equal treatment provisions in case law would transform the Irish electoral system. A single list would remove the regional bias which is a crucial part of Irish politics and disenfranchise rural areas, particularly in peripheral parts of the country. That scenario also...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: When is the meeting due to conclude?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: A vote is upcoming in the Seanad. The Chair is doing a very good job. However, it is important that it be noted that the same speakers are called first every time. Senator Grace O'Sullivan and I are constantly last to speak.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The procedure is for the Chair to be the last speaker.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: My time is not up. We need to look at a system whereby everybody is given the opportunity to be the first or second speaker.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I acknowledge that the Chair is not biased but-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This is a very important issue for Fianna Fáil.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Discussion (6 Mar 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I will go first the next time.