Results 301-320 of 1,207 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Second Stage (17 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Access to secure affordable housing is one of the most immediate and urgent challenges facing young people, modest income earners, workers and families in Ireland today. The Minister and the Government recognise that fact. The Minister also recognises that over the past ten years housing supply dropped, house...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Second Stage (17 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Ovarian cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed female cancer in Ireland. More than 440 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Ireland every year and sadly, more than 27 of them die. Ireland ranks among the highest countries for female mortality due to ovarian cancer. It is known as the silent killer because it is hard to diagnose, the symptoms can often be confused with other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister of State for bringing the legislation before the committee. I also thank him and the Ministers for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Public Expenditure and Reform because they have all been most responsive to my representations and those made to them by other Senators on behalf of local authority members. I am very encouraged to hear that the Moorhead report...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Deputy McAuliffe will take that if Deputy Flaherty is not here. I do not think he is.

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (24 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate him again on his role as having responsibility for heritage. I concur with Senator Garvey that he has brought great energy and enthusiasm and insight to the area of heritage which is what we need. We have a very rich heritage, built and natural, and I have full confidence that he as Minister of State in the Department will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: This day three years ago, a majority of voters voted to amend Bunreacht na hÉireann to repeal the eighth amendment and make abortion services freely, legally and safely available for women. Following on from that in 2018, the legislation was introduced and in 2019, abortion and the termination of early pregnancy became legally and safely available to women. It has worked for many women...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I had indicated. My hand is up.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I think Billie Sparks is here for the Labour Party but I did not hear the Chairman mention her so I acknowledge her presence and thank her for attending.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I knew it was just an oversight. We are used to Deputy Ó Broin being a member of the committee and now he is appearing as a witness. How does that work? Does he ask himself questions and then answer them? What happens here?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: We all agreed that it is up to the parties to nominate whoever they consider appropriate to represent them at this hearing. That is not in question. It never was. What I am questioning is how that works from the committee's perspective in terms of whether Deputy Ó Broin will ask himself questions, which he will then answer, and whether he intends to also act as a member of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: For the purposes of the secretariat, I am in Leinster House. I thank all the witnesses for attending today. We have had a number of sessions. We are conducting a very important piece of pre-legislative scrutiny. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to establish an electoral commission. It has been talked about for years and we very much hope to get this piece of work...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Can we allow Senator Seery Kearney to finish? It was really rude how she was interrupted.

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: In terms of this amendment it is important we do not confuse ourselves, or anyone watching, as to what is being proposed. The Member from Sinn Féin has spoken and articulated the challenge facing working people in this city in trying to buy their own home. It is a terrible reality and one which this Government is legislating to change. The primary objective of the legislation, as...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I stated facts.

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I would like the Minister of State to respond. I understand Senator Higgins's legitimate concern. We are all concerned that the price of housing is unaffordable and that is what this legislation is about. The Government is changing the laws so we can deliver affordable homes. The Government will use all of the State's resources, including land and assets, to deliver affordable homes....

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: There-----

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I have tabled an amendment to this section and I would like clarification on whether it will be discussed now. The amendment tabled by Senator Warfield speaks to the Government's objective of trying to have not-for-profit State-led and State-sponsored provision of affordable housing. I ask the Minister of State to give strong consideration to accepting this exact wording, or certainly to...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It will add confidence to the Opposition with regard to its concerns about the Government's intentions. We will speak to it when we get to it.

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I also appeal to Senator Warfield to withdraw this amendment. I believe the Senator understands the housing crisis. His friends are affected by it and I believe they would want every power and asset of the State to be used to help them secure an affordable home. If this amendment is made, it will curtail the powers of the Land Development Agency, which is being established as a statutory...