Results 201-220 of 1,208 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Today, I would like the House to remember that 100 years ago tomorrow the Irish Republican Army in east Cork suffered the largest loss of life of volunteers at Clonmult, some 7 miles outside of Midleton, when 12 young men - two of whom were my grand-uncles - were killed and eight were taken prisoner. The defeat was a great boost to the British at the time. The event has largely been...

Seanad: Ábhair Ghnó an tSeanaid – Matters on the Business of the Seanad (22 Feb 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I support the issue raised regarding the Deliveroo front-line workers. I have submitted a Commencement matter, which the Cathaoirleach may consider for debate later this week, with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Leo Varadkar. This is a huge issue affecting not just the northside and southside of Dublin, but other cities around the country. I express to the Leader...

Seanad: Councillors' Pay: Motion (22 Feb 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Those contributions are spot on. I was first elected as a city councillor in 2004. Over the past 16 years, I experienced at first hand how the role and its associated demands have changed. I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House today to address this important issue which goes to the core of our democracy. I thank the Independent Senators for facilitating the House with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Rights (26 Feb 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Seanad this morning. Senator Seery Kearney and I wish to address the issue of the precarious nature of employment being experienced by front-line delivery workers who work in the gig economy. The Minister of State will be aware from going through Dublin city that the streets are empty except for front-line workers such as the emergency...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Rights (26 Feb 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister of State for his response, but I concur with Senator Seery Kearney. The world has moved on. The gig economy is real, it is alive, and a great many of our citizens are earning an income and a living in the gig economy. The Government needs to respond to that reality. I appreciate the Minister of State coming to the House, I appreciate that the House has given time to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the White Paper released by the Government outlining a plan to end the temporary arrangements which were put in place as an emergency response by way of direct provision. I also welcome the commitment to State-provided and NGO-supported accommodation for those seeking asylum in our country. Those seeking asylum will be staying temporarily in this accommodation. Wrap-around...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the witnesses for participating. For the record, I am in Leinster House. My first question is for the Housing Alliance, which I thank for its presentation. It is reassuring to have the Housing Alliance's support. As Mr. Dunne stated, the alliance provided 41% of social housing. It is important that there be a change in the State's housing policy and that we provide affordable...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: The 12,000 number is encouraging. It would be helpful if, after this meeting, Mr. Dunne circulated to the committee a projection of where those 12,000 units would be. I have a couple of questions for Mr. Curran as well and I am trying to keep to the time, so I apologise. I thank Mr. Curran for his presentation and his participation. Local authorities have a strong track record of social...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Will Mr. Curran circulate more details to the committee? It is very encouraging to hear those numbers. It is way more ambitious than the 1,900 or so referred to in the report. How many local authorities made an application for the cost rental equity loan, CREL, funding?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Are local authorities keen to pursue that? Have they expressed any interest in pursuing it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: My first question is for the CCMA. Mr. Curran referenced the county and city development plans. This process takes about two years. Considering all the pent-up need for affordable housing and how long we have all waited for an affordable rental scheme, I really hope we will not be waiting for two years for the local authorities to give us a projection on the need for affordable housing for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It is my understanding that local authorities have already available to them land with a capacity for 110,000 or 120,000 units. Is this correct? Is there a report to which the witnesses could refer us that will give us details of what land is in local authority ownership in each jurisdiction and the capacity for housing on these land tracts?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: For more than 15 years, I have worked with the people in the north inner city and Dublin City Council to try to address dereliction in the core of our capital city. I would like to share some fantastic news with the House today. After years of all our efforts and struggle, this Government has recognised the enormous potential for the regeneration of the north inner city. This morning, it...

Seanad: Local Government (Use of CCTV in Prosecution of Offences) Bill 2021: Second Stage (5 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I thank Senator Wall for tabling this legislation, which is important. It is appropriate that the Seanad should deal with it because it deals directly with our local authorities and, therefore, in talking about this issue today, we are not only serving the local communities represented by members of our local authorities, but serving those...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I commend all my colleagues who have spoken on International Women's Day today. I wish everybody well on the day. I wish to particularly commend our male colleagues who have joined in the celebration with such enthusiasm and sincere interest and commitment to raising the issue of equality. I look forward to speaking on International Women's Day later today. I wish to draw attention to the...

Seanad: International Women's Day: Statements (8 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. Truly blessed is he among women today. We are delighted to have him. I also welcome my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and thank her for joining us for this discussion on International Women's Day. I am very proud and delighted to stand here today. It is a huge honour for me. As I have often said, I live closest to Leinster...

Seanad: Private Rental Sector: Motion (8 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "notes that:" and substitute the following: - the Government remains fully committed to ensuring an increase in the supply of affordable high quality rental accommodation through continued significant capital investment, including cost rental and other means, and in a manner that respects the security of tenure for renters by ensuring...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020 (Resumed): Land Development Agency (9 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the witnesses for attending the meeting and for all the work they are doing. It is very important work. It is critical for our country and society that there is a sustainable supply of social and affordable homes. We have to catch up on a full decade in this regard and I am sure the witnesses are acutely aware of the desperate need. We welcome and support their efforts. I wish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020 (Resumed): Land Development Agency (9 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It is important that it is affordable, and we understand that, but also that it is viable. There is no point in the first 20,000 tenants getting a great deal and then there being nothing into the future. I absolutely accept that point. I have another question about affordability. There are different income households. There might be one household with a two-bedroom unit and it might...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020 (Resumed): Land Development Agency (9 Mar 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I spent a long time on Dublin City Council and, with great frustration, witnessed decades pass with little delivery of social housing. I appreciate that the local authority did not have the legislation or the schemes to provide affordable rental or affordable purchase over the last decade or so. On the Land Development Agency working with this affordable legislation, can Mr. Coleman outline...