Results 1-20 of 221 for speaker:Aubrey McCarthy

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I thank the Minister of State for being here with us today. I know he is representing the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, on this Commencement matter. As I have said previously, I really want the Minister, Deputy Browne, to succeed in his role as Minister for housing. It would certainly lift the spirit of Ireland. The housing crisis is a debacle. If we can make a difference,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I appreciate the reply. One line stands out and I am excited about it where he said, “Addressing homelessness, and in particular homeless families and children, is a key priority for the Minister”. I am slightly concerned in dealing with the people through my voluntary work. I would welcome the Minister to come to Pearse Street, which is fairly close by, to meet some of the...

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

Aubrey McCarthy: I welcome the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament. He has an amazing ambassador representing his country in Ireland: Leena Gardemeister. She is very welcome here this morning. I want to mention some sad news, which is the disturbing report of the alleged sexual assault of a young girl in Saggart. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with the child, her family and the people who were...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I thank the witnesses for being here. They came on the worst possible day. We are so busy with different committees, meetings and all the rest. Apologies but, as Senator Fitzpatrick said, it is not rude that we are coming in late. I am in business. I know some of the guys here. I went for many Retail Excellence Ireland awards but never won them, so I have a problem with that. I am...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: Is that a case for the ombudsman? Is there an insurance ombudsman we could go to and say there is a problem here?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: The business cannot afford it, however. I cannot tell my insurance company it has to do this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: No, it is. Your sanity would need to be questioned, if you want to get into business now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: Is there something we are missing on the minimum wage? It is a knock-on. As I said, the top is here and we are now putting up the cost, and squeezing and squeezing. With Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, etc., we focus on the likes of Intel and Pfizer and we provide huge supports. I have spoken in the Seanad about the SMEs, small retailers and hairdressers. They are the backbone of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I am involved in a homeless café on Pearse Street and we feed different people. It used to be people who are destitute and people who have addictions, etc. When I was in there last week - I go in to have my dinner there once a week to meet the different people - I met a guy who has a job and lives in a tent in Ringsend. He cannot afford accommodation and he comes into us for his food.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: Yes, he has a job.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: Has Ms McBride any good news to finish on, just to cheer me up?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: Ms McBride will get the vacancy and dereliction grant.

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

Aubrey McCarthy: I also welcome ambassador Pavel Vošalík to the House. He is a marvellous representative of his country and it is wonderful to have him here. As the winter comes in and the nights get darker, I am seriously uneasy and frustrated regarding the worsening homelessness situation in our country. The most recent figures released by the Department of housing are not just numbers on...

Seanad: Higher Education: Statements (21 Oct 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I thank the Minister for being here. It is good to have him, and he is welcome. We have talked about higher education. I want to talk about the human aspect of it and lives that have been transformed, challenged and shaped through higher education in our country. I believe our universities are more than lecture halls and libraries. They are places where ambition meets access and where...

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

Aubrey McCarthy: Apologies for coming in and out. We had different committees. I thank everyone for being here. It has been mentioned that vacancy and dereliction are at the heart of the planning policy. I was working with a chap from East Wall who got in touch with me. He applied for the vacancy grant in respect of a derelict home. It took well over a year to get the grant, and it was give or take...

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

Aubrey McCarthy: That is 4,000 properties.

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

Aubrey McCarthy: Have there been 14,900 applications?

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

Aubrey McCarthy: At a broader level, dereliction and vacancy is not just about poor ownership; sometimes it is about the cost equation and whether it actually works. It is about the cost-benefit analysis being compliant and whether it is commercially viable regarding the economic value of the property. I have spoken about Baggot Street hospital. It is there, and it is amazing. It would provide so much...

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

Aubrey McCarthy: It is a fantastic initiative. More supports for the Department and the local authorities need to be given, but it is game changing.