Results 261-280 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I fully support Deputy Cowen's Bill. The one-stop shop streamlining is well in order. The Bill is timely, given that we are in a housing supply crisis and that we have so much vacant stock around the country, not only here in Dublin. Regarding the conservation aspect, I lived in the Netherlands for nine years, and one sees in streetscapes in Amsterdam or any of the other large cities that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Did Deputy Cowen consult retailers who have vacant space about their shop area?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Were they welcoming of the provision in this Bill? Did they see any downsides to the provisions in the Bill?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I feel a sense of frustration when reading the witnesses' brief. The working group has met twice. It would be good for this committee to get an update on its work. Ms Neary spoke about fire safety certificates and disability access certificates and said dispensation and relaxation are also being developed. Everything is being developed but there is a housing supply crisis. We see the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I would like to extend my best wishes to former Senator Landy, who tendered his resignation today. Denis was a great support to me when I became an elected Member of Seanad Éireann. I will speak briefly on the resignation of the former Tánaiste, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and the latest political crisis that has threatened the stability of the country at a crucial time as we head...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (29 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (29 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I very much support the Minister's initiative with regard to dialogue, building awareness, engagement and motivation among the peoples of Ireland with regard to climate change. As has been stated here today, it is the issue of our time. A number of people have mentioned that it is a great challenge. The Minister indicated we are a small nation but we can really take leadership in the area...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (29 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The colleague of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, was here this afternoon. I had a little eureka moment listening to both Ministers because the word "challenge" has been used the whole time today. Climate change is the greatest opportunity this country will ever have. Another word used today was...

Seanad: World AIDS Day: Statements (30 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I pay tribute to Senator Norris, the longest serving member of the Seanad, and Senator Warfield, the youngest Member of the Seanad, who have both been the strongest advocates of justice and rights for groups facing AIDS and HIV. I compliment them on their work in the Seanad. World AIDS Day has been a sombre occasion of commemoration and remembrance since its beginning in 1988. It has also...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I would like to ask Mr. Dolan for confirmation on something and to thank him for his presentation. On the pre-legislative consultation with the Department, did he say that it happened or did not happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: It did not happen. Was the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association involved in pre-legislative consultation with the Minister and the Department?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: That was prior to the Bill being-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Heritage Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Were BirdWatch Ireland or the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland involved in any such consultation? They were not. I just wanted to clarify that because of the importance of consultation and, as Ms Duggan mentioned, the importance of having fora in order that stakeholders can get a positive process under way so that we do not have to have people getting frustrated here in the meeting. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I completely concur with Senator McFadden. A debate on carers should take place and we need to burrow down into the reasons carers are not getting sufficient support. Last week in this Chamber we heard statements from the Ministers, Deputies Denis Naughten and Shane Ross, on the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. Later today we will hear from the Ministers responsible for...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Another storm is forecast for tomorrow. Storm Caroline is coming in, bringing winds of 110 mph from the north west. It is our latest forecast for bad weather and is unfortunate for everyone. Ireland is one of only four countries in the EU where greenhouse gas emissions are still above 1990 levels. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has shown that agricultural emissions increased...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Last year the Government produced a 75 page comprehensive document on the targets on climate change in compliance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. This year, several Ministers have come to the House to discuss climate change in their area of responsibility. We had the senior Ministers to date but with no disrespect to Deputy English, the Minister of State at the...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I requested a copy when the Minister of State came to the Chamber but it was not circulated to Members until just this moment. It is really necessary to have a copy of the statement when the Minister comes into the House, as it gives Members a better opportunity to keep up with the points. My view of the climate crisis in recent months is ever more coloured by my experience of being a...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The Minister of State offered Senators an opportunity to come back-----

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I was just seeking clarification. I thought we had an opportunity now.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I ask Senator Craughwell to tell us who are the lunatics to whom he referred in the context of PESCO. I am highly insulted and disgusted. The fact that we can converse and discuss issues such as PESCO through social media is a good thing. To call people lunatics is very unfair and damaging so I wish Senator Craughwell would take back his remark. I agree with my colleague from Sinn...