Results 21-40 of 245 for speaker:Maura Hopkins

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I want to raise the issue of mental health services in County Roscommon. The people who use mental health services in Roscommon, their families and the staff must be provided with the facts about the current and future provision of services in the county. I have listened to a wide range of individuals over the past number of days who are involved in the mental health services in the county....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Business of Joint Committee (25 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I think that is the most constructive way to ensure the Minister has a time that is appropriate for her to come to the meeting. To be fair to the Minister, as the Chairman has stated, she is attending a Cabinet meeting this morning and is, therefore, unable to be here. The short notice given to the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, meant that it is unfortunate that neither of them are able to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (26 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter. I am extremely angry with the HSE because it has not been truthful and honest with the people of Roscommon. I say that because information was given to me and to other public representatives, both verbally and in writing, regarding the potential closure of mental health day centres and hostels in County Roscommon. The...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (26 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: The Minister of State is right, in that the HSE needs to provide us with accurate and honest information, which we are not getting at the moment. It is difficult to have confidence and trust in County Roscommon's mental health services when there is a complete disconnect between what we are hearing on the ground and what we are being told publicly by higher levels within the HSE. It is not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I apologise as I was in the Seanad earlier and that is why I was late to the committee. I am particularly interested in the presentation of the Western Development Commission, given it is headquartered in Ballaghaderreen. There are two areas on which I want to follow up. Mr. Brannigan pointed out challenges within rural communities in terms of being understood. I understand that for all...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the IFA for its presentation to the committee this afternoon. It was very helpful. We all know that farming has been through a difficult few years in terms of commodity prices and weather conditions. In terms of Brexit, the IFA president, Mr. Healy, has pointed to the importance of a positive trading relationship with the UK and the retention of a strong CAP budget as essential if...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: That is right.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the witnesses for speaking to us. My questions are directed specifically to the OPW and relate to flooding. The representatives of the OPW mentioned turloughs, about which I have one question. I am quite aware of the issue relating to turloughs because the national flood conference, which was very informative, was held recently in Ballinasloe. I come from County Roscommon, where...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to make a number of comments on the amendments. The big point here - Senator Lombard touched on it as well - is striking a balance. Yes, as Senator Norris pointed out, it is about minding the birds, but it is also about minding the people and achieving a balance in that regard. The Bill asks us to extend the hedge-cutting season for one...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (Professional Home Care) Bill 2016: Second Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for attending. I also thank Deputy Colm Burke who has done a great deal of work in this area in recent years. This is a very important debate around ensuring that people who receive care in their homes across the country are being provided with the best possible care and that we have appropriate structures and regulation in place to deal with the difficulties...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, for coming to the Seanad again today to address Members. As a follow-on from last week's discussion, the Minister has made it clear there are two aspects of hedgerow management, one in respect of ensuring farmers have the ability to manage hedgerows in a restricted way both for tillage and reseeding. It is very important that farmers have an ability...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: It is about ensuring that we are able to have hedges managed in a specific way for two reasons, first, in respect of road safety and, second, in regard to tillage farmers reseeding their land.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank everybody for their contributions today. I certainly found them very informative. I met representatives of Teagasc quite a number of times since being elected to the Seanad. Obviously, I am very interested in the implementation of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, CEDRA, report. What implementation has happened so far with regards to the report? Teagasc...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: Can I conclude that point? What sort of assessment do we need to provide the best possible evidence? A proper rural transport system is required, but how do we get that evidence?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank everybody for their presentations and I have a number of questions. These organisations represent what is very positive about rural life. Over the past few years I have learned about the sense of community that is still within our rural towns and villages. All three organisations really captivate and work in those communities to ensure there is enhanced human contact and increased...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I want to talk about the plight of young farmers and their inability to access the national reserve scheme. We all know that farmers are the lifeblood of our rural communities and we must be proactive in encouraging young people to enter and remain in farming. It has been really disappointing, and unacceptable, that there was no national reserve in 2016. Any news that it may not open in...

Seanad: Mental Health Services Funding: Statements (24 Nov 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for talking to us and debating the important issue of mental health and funding. I thank her for her continued genuine hard work in her role as Minister of State with responsibility for mental health. It is important that we are seeing an increased budget for mental health services. The Minister of State rightly said there was a need for definite improvements...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Search and Rescue Service Provision (14 Dec 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter. Sub-aqua clubs engaged in underwater search and recovery provide a vital service at a time of great heartbreak for many people. Much of their work focuses on cases where the time for a rescue has passed and the focus is on recovery of a deceased person in order that a body can be returned to a family. By its very nature,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Search and Rescue Service Provision (14 Dec 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I very much appreciate the Minister of State's response on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross. I emphasise, however, that I am not particularly happy with it. It seems as if there has just been an initial examination of the matter and the outcome is not particularly positive. It is stated: "On initial examination of the matter, it should be pointed...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Immigration Support Services (26 Jan 2017)

Maura Hopkins: I want to raise the matter of plans to open an emergency reception and orientation centre in the Abbeyfield Hotel in Ballaghaderreen. As the Minister of State will be aware, I have had many discussions with both him and Department officials since first becoming aware of plans to open the centre on Thursday, 5 January. As a community, we, in Ballaghaderreen, understand fully that these...