Results 381-400 of 766 for speaker:Pippa Hackett

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. For the month that is in it, I want to talk about Pride in 2022. I recall having an overwhelming sense of pride in my country when Ireland passed the same-sex marriage referendum. After all, love is love. However, seven years on I am prompted to reassess. It is my wedding anniversary today. I have had 21 happy years with Mark. Never once in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horticulture Sector (15 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he will be aware, extraction of peat for the Irish professional horticultural industry in recent years has been challenging from a legal and regulatory perspective. A series of High Court judgments, beginning in the early 2010s, that dealt with peat extraction and lack of compliance across the extraction sector has generated supply challenges...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horticulture Sector (15 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I assure the Deputy that we certainly accept his concerns and those he has raised for the sector. I am acutely aware of the key importance of the professional horticulture sector and he has highlighted the significant number of jobs and value to our economy. I want to assure him that the Government is working as a priority to assist the horticulture industry in resolving these issues. I...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horticulture Sector (15 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: We have listened to the sector many times over.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: Last week, I attended Ireland's second national biodiversity conference at Dublin Castle. It was greatly encouraging to see the level of engagement from academic experts, voluntary organisations and public servants about how best we can protect, restore and enhance our biodiversity. In his keynote address to the conference, the Taoiseach spoke of a growing realisation that our fortunes as a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Youth Perspectives on Climate Challenges: Discussion with Foróige and Comhairle na nÓg (3 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Chairperson, Deputy Leddin, and the Cathaoirleach, Senator Daly. I welcome Deputy Leddin and his Dáil colleagues to the Upper House of the Oireachtas, and we get a kick out of doing so. Today is an historic day in the Seanad and I appreciate being part of it. I thank the Chairperson and his committee colleagues for arranging this meeting and making it happen. I thank...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I would like to provide an update on the Government's plans for gynaecology and maternal health services in the midlands. My colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and his Department are currently working with the HSE's national women and infants health programme to increase capacity and reduce waiting times for women awaiting general gynaecology through the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I attended a wonderful event on Monday evening in the village of Rhode in County Offaly. I estimate that approximately 100 women from the local area gathered to hear from Edenderry woman Mary McHugh, also known as "Mary Menopause", who has been telling her story to anyone who will listen about her menopause, which hit her prematurely approximately ten years ago. She described menopause...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (14 Jul 2022)

Pippa Hackett: All of us who are interested in forestry in Ireland generally share the same objectives. These are to have a well-functioning forestry licensing system, a clear and shared vision for the future of forestry in Ireland, and a new forestry programme which will encourage sustainable forest creation and management that meets societal needs. In line with these objectives, I set up Project...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (14 Jul 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I disagree. The figures I gave in my initial response show that progress is being made. We fully accept the difficulties with afforestation. We receive about eight applications per week from farmers. It is not about the throughput of the issuing of the licences, it is the interest. I accept that confidence in the sector is incredibly low among farmers and landowners. We accept that and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (14 Jul 2022)

Pippa Hackett: That is when it will start.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (14 Jul 2022)

Pippa Hackett: The figures are a matter of record and I am happy to share them with everyone. If the Deputies do not believe me, they can see them. We are fully aware of the necessity to increase our afforestation. We are also aware of the carbon benefits that can supply and, if they are planted correctly, the benefits to the wider environment, whether to water biodiversity, soil quality and so forth....

Seanad: Animal Welfare: Motion (14 Jul 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank my fellow Green Party Senators for tabling this motion. It is timely. I thank all Members who have spoken passionately about this issue. It is important to keep it high on the agenda. I am pleased to welcome this motion on behalf of the Government, and I am particularly pleased that my Cabinet colleagues decided this week to support it, signalling the Government's commitment to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Sep 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I, too, extend my condolences and those of my Green Party colleagues to Ambassador Johnston and the British people on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. It is great to be back in the Seanad and I take this opportunity to welcome all of my colleagues back after the recess. I have spent quite a bit of my time over the past month or so travelling around my constituency of Laois-Offaly meeting...

Seanad: Breastfeeding: Motion (12 Oct 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I second the motion.

Seanad: Breastfeeding: Motion (12 Oct 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I welcome Senator Pauline O’Reilly’s motion. This is an historic occasion. This is the first time that a motion on breastfeeding has been brought to the Seanad and that is worthy of note. Ultimately, as Senator Pauline O'Reilly said at the start, this is about choice and giving women choice. All of the data stack up in terms of the benefits of breastfeeding. I was fortunate...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (19 Oct 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. This is a pertinent issue that arises frequently. I welcome the opportunity to provide an update on solar applications for farmers under TAMS. TAMS is an on-farm investment scheme co-funded by the EU. Under the current EU regulations and the new CAP strategic plan, it is not permitted to sell excess energy generated by grant-aided investments...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (19 Oct 2022)

Pippa Hackett: This has come up on a number of occasions in recent months and indeed years. I understand we have examined this with the Commission. I agree some farms have roof space, but that potential will not be achieved through the TAMS grant which is for the purpose of consumption on the farm and those are the rules attached to it. However, it does not stop farmers examining other options and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Oct 2022)

Pippa Hackett: Last week my Department opened two new schemes which are positive for farmers, climate, biodiversity and water quality and will help us to reach our targets in the agricultural sector. The agri climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, and the organic farming scheme are fantastic opportunities, but we still hear some criticism. I suspect it comes from those who are not joining either scheme....

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I extend my thanks to Senator Martin for introducing this Bill and his interest in this area. His honey is delicious. I fully acknowledge, as does my Department, the important contribution bees make not only to agriculture but also to biodiversity as both pollinators and as honey producers. My Department supports the important work of all the beekeeping associations in Ireland in the...