Results 201-220 of 245 for speaker:Maura Hopkins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Like other Senators, I want to raise the matter of the Mercosur deal between the European Union and South American countries. We all know the possible negative implications if this deal is passed. It has the potential to absolutely decimate the Irish beef market. The current draft of the deal includes a quota of 99,000 tonnes of beef from South America into the EU market. As we know, the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Bird Population in Ireland: BirdWatch Ireland (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Dr. Donaghy has mentioned that further measures need to be taken to have a robust GLAS that values biodiversity. What additional measures should be put in place in the next Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, negotiations for GLAS? I live in the west and so am quite familiar with the challenge of non-native Sitka spruce there and in the north west. Dr. Donaghy says it is having an impact on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Bird Population in Ireland: BirdWatch Ireland (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I have a question on the specialist advice to farmers. Who is best placed to give it? We know that the GLAS scheme is at full capacity and 50,000 farmers are signed up to it. It is important that all farmers engage and that is a well made point. Has there been progress on the curlew sites? It is a species that is hugely endangered. Have the witnesses seen progress in terms of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Bird Population in Ireland: BirdWatch Ireland (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: An increase in numbers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Bird Population in Ireland: BirdWatch Ireland (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: In general.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Audiology Services Provision (3 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I raise a matter I have raised on a number of previous occasions, namely, the number of children affected by failings in the audiology service across counties Roscommon and Mayo. As I am sure the Minister of State is aware, 49 families received an apology from the HSE on 7 June 2018, while a further 57 received an apology earlier this year for failings in audiology services. The failings...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Audiology Services Provision (3 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I will reflect on the last sentence of the Minister of State: "As a result of all of these actions, all of the children affected have either received or are receiving the appropriate care they need." I find that response very disingenuous. I have just come from another meeting with education officials. I can and will provide the Minister of State with a file of all the different challenges...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I attended a meeting last Friday evening with quite a few board members of credit unions in Roscommon and Galway. The cost of the proposed industry funding levy for credit unions will create an increase from approximately €1.5 million to almost €7.8 million per annum by the end of 2022. There is serious concern among those involved in credit unions. The president of the Irish...

Seanad: EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (3 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: It is positive that the Minister and her colleagues, in particular the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, are taking this issue seriously. As others have stated, this deal, if passed by the European Council and Parliament, has the potential to decimate the Irish beef market. I listened to Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (25 Sep 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I move that the Bill recommitted in respect of amendments Nos. 2 and 40.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Maura Hopkins: There has been major concern over the past two months in the farming community, particularly in the beef and suckler sectors. We have particular added challenges with respect to Brexit, Mercosur and climate change, all of which will affect this sector more than any others. Farm income in this sector is not sustainable. Farmers cannot continue producing cattle at the current low price...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Oct 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I sincerely congratulate all the groups that were successful in the TidyTowns competition, the results of which were announced yesterday by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring. It is wonderful to see so many volunteers and committees that work tirelessly throughout the year to improve our local surroundings. It is important they are recognised for their work. Many...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Mid-Year Review: Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (2 Oct 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister for her presentation. She mentioned a number of items under the Creative Ireland programme. How has it developed during 2019? Are she and the Department satisfied that the benefits of the Creative Ireland programme are being felt and spread across the country? The Minister has answered my question about the creative schools initiative, which Deputy Smyth asked, with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Mid-Year Review: Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (2 Oct 2019)

Maura Hopkins: No.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Mid-Year Review: Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (2 Oct 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Yes, but it was more of a comment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Mid-Year Review: Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (2 Oct 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I have a question in relation to Natura lands. Last week I met IFA members who have concerns about financial supports. Obviously, it is quite limited in terms of farming practices. I seek an update from the Minister on any proposed plans or engagement with the IFA or relevant individuals on supporting farmers who have Natura lands.

Seanad: Budget 2020: Statements (8 Oct 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for his opening statement. We are all very aware that Brexit presents an enormous challenge and it has been a considerable feature of this budget. It is prudent to make plans in that respect. A number of sectors are exposed, one of which is agriculture. In that context, €110 million is to be provided by Government, including €85 million for beef...

Seanad: Parent's Leave and Benefit Bill 2019: Second Stage (9 Oct 2019)

Maura Hopkins: This Bill is positive. I thank the Minister of State for his work on this issue. We know that parents want choice, flexibility and the opportunity to spend as much time with their children as possible. Given also the huge challenges around the costs of childcare, an array of options for supporting families is important because every family situation is different. We know how vital the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: HSE Properties (15 Oct 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, for coming to the Seanad on this important issue. On Saturday last I attended the Architecture at the Edge festival. It took place on the campus of the former St. Brigid's Hospital in Ballinasloe, County Galway. I sincerely thank all those involved in that really fantastic event. Professor Oonagh Walsh provided a really great insight into the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: HSE Properties (15 Oct 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Senator Maura Hopkins:I have a number of questions arising from the Minister of State's response. We are aware there is a shift in providing community mental health services. Similar to the issue raised in the previous Commencement matter there are challenges with the staffing of these community mental health services. I ask that the Minister of State would note this, especially in the...