Results 181-200 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Breach of EU Urban Wastewater Directive: Discussion (18 May 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The Commission initiated the infringement against Ireland in September 2013, followed by warnings in September 2015 and September 2016. The witnesses must be frustrated because the warnings have been made but the action is not happening.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Breach of EU Urban Wastewater Directive: Discussion (18 May 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: With regard to climate mitigation, stormwater and the projected costs, can Mr. Grant provide us with information on how Irish Water is preparing for this?

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (23 May 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: As the Minister is aware, a licence has been issued for the mechanical harvesting of sea kelp in Bantry Bay in County Cork. The licence will cover 1,860 acres of native kelp forest. It was not advertised adequately within the local community and contains no requirement for an environmental impact assessment. I would like to state for the record that I am not at all opposed in principle to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (23 May 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister of State for the reply. She said that this harvesting is to secure the supply of seaweed but we are arguing that an environmental impact assessment prior to the initiation of mechanical harvesting is required. That is what the people of Bantry Bay are asking for and that is why they are so outraged at the moment; they feel that their voices are not being heard....

Seanad: Mid-term Capital Review and Public Service Pay Commission Report: Statements (30 May 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I am the Green Party Senator and a member of the Civil Engagement group. I have not met the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, before. I welcome him to the House. Currently, the capital plan equates sustainability with fiscal sustainability. The reality is that Ireland is not a profit-maximising enterprise but a society of shared lives reliant on natural ecosystems. Ecological and social...

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (31 May 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister of State. It is great to hear some very positive suggestions here today about the all-island approach to tourism. Coming from Waterford, I was delighted to be at the opening of the 3D king of the Vikings virtual reality experience in Waterford which is part of Ireland's Ancient East. I commend the local authorities for that initiative and especially Eamonn McEneaney...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: General Scheme of Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Voting) Bill 2014 [Private Members']: Discussion (1 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank Deputies Crowe and Adams for their presentations on the proposed legislation, which I fully support. As someone who was a member of the diaspora for 19 years, I concur with the sentiments expressed by Senator Ó Clochartaigh. I was probably more Irish when I lived abroad that I was when I returned. We must progress the legislation speedily, while taking into consideration the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: General Scheme of Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Voting) Bill 2014 [Private Members']: Discussion (1 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I would like to pose a question that was put to me this morning. Would the Deputies consider taking the 16 year old issue out of the Bill as is, in order to progress it more speedily?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: General Scheme of Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Voting) Bill 2014 [Private Members']: Discussion (1 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Okay. I am very much in favour of the Bill as is but I just thought removing that element might speed up the process. The Deputies are not willing to do that and that is perfectly understandable.

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I am delighted to stand here today to support Deputy Tony McLoughlin's prohibition of onshore hydraulic fracking Bill. I also congratulate the Minister of State on his reappointment and his new ministerial role and assure him that the Green Party is looking forward to working with him to ensure the future health and sustainability of our country and, indeed, our planet. I believe we are...

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: This is an issue that is very important to my heart and I would like a longer time to debate it. The Bill is to be welcomed and I am delighted to see the Minister of State here today.

Seanad: University Hospital Waterford Cardiology Services: Statements (27 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The tragic death of Thomas Power has shown us that we cannot wait any longer - not for another review, not for another mobile cath lab that should already have been delivered by now, and not for more excuses. People have died and more will die unless the Government takes action necessary to deliver a safe and adequate health care system to the region. I have been talking to public...

Seanad: University Hospital Waterford Cardiology Services: Statements (27 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: We need it on a 24-7 basis.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Could we have a timeline on the vacant housing re-use strategy? Mr. McCarthy also spoke about vacant commercial units. Could we also have a timeline on new planning regulations to allow change of use?

Seanad: National Housing Co-operative Bill 2017: Second Stage (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I express a huge "thank you" to Senator David Norris for spearheading the Bill. It shows once again his humanitarian and caring nature and activist role. I also recognise the work done by Deputy John McGuinness who is in the Visitors Gallery. I thank all of the housing and citizens' groups which have supported Senator David Norris in his wish to bring forward the Bill. This is a housing...

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move amendment No. 1:In page 4, line 14, to delete “both.”.” and substitute the following:“both. Prohibition of exploration, extraction or exploitation of petroleum 5D.(1) National land and waters should be managed for the benefit of the people of Ireland to avoid the dangerous impacts of climate change and promote a rapid and just transition to clean energy....

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: She has not yet arrived.

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The Minister of State is most welcome. I addressed this matter during the Second Stage debate. What Ireland and the rest of the developed world needs to recognise is the contradiction in our energy policies. On the one hand, we are signing up to international agreements to cut greenhouse gas emissions, while, on the other, signing oil, gas and coal exploration licences. In the Paris...

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I have great respect and admiration for the work of Deputy Tony McLoughlin. Today marks a big victory for the island of Ireland and beyond. Nevertheless, as Senator Higgins outlined, my sense is that we are talking about a global issue. Will the Minister of State consider requesting that the EPA would conduct the similar study for offshore fracking as for onshore fracking? However, one...

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: This is a great day, and huge congratulations to Deputy McLoughlin for all his work and his efforts, and his bravery, as Senator Leyden observed, in taking a Private Member's motion like this, and getting the support around him of the local and wider communities for it. It is one of those days where one sees the ripple effect that it has on communities across Ireland. Senator Leyden...