Results 4,621-4,640 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I also wish the Leader of the House every happiness in the future. It is great to see the results of the referendum on marriage equality here in the Republic.It is to be hoped marriage equality will come shortly to every part of the Thirty-two Counties, where every citizen will have the right to have his or her love acknowledged. Well done to Senator Buttimer for the work he did during the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I wish to ask one simple question. What has Dublin done to this Fine Gael Government? In the past year, there has been a total lack of understanding of the issues affecting Dublin. Dublin makes a huge contribution - socially, economically and culturally - to the country but fails to get a fair deal in the context of investment. Dublin needs a loud and clear voice. I have supported a...

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: That was Gay Mitchell.

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Right across the House, we are all united in supporting the bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup but I know that if the Minister was on the floor of this House he would raise certain questions, as he always did in the Dáil and in the Seanad. I do not know whether Senator Richmond meant what he said in respect of his remarks about people showing disloyalty or undermining the bid-----

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: -----for the Rugby World Cup. It is not about disloyalty or undermining the bid. We have a democratic responsibility to ask these questions. I have no doubt that the Minister, Deputy Ross, would be asking similar questions to those I asked were he on this side. In respect of Senator O'Mahony's comments, yes, in the past all Rugby World Cups have made profits and have not become a weight...

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: We do want to know.

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Before we proceed to the next Stage, I wish to ask the Minister about a newspaper report published last weekend which stated that if Rugby World Cup Limited makes profits from the world cup, those profits will be tax free and that will be allowed by this Bill. Is that correct?

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: But is it within the Bill------

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I heard the Minister but I wish to make one other point------

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I have an additional point to make. It will take 30 seconds. It ties back to the Minister's earlier contribution. I will take part in the joint protest mentioned by Senator Ó Donnaghaile if it happens. Cities and towns being involved in this is a key issue. We will have to work with local authorities to ensure that the cities and towns in which matches will take place are at their...

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: The tournament company.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Maternity Services (12 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, is very welcome. This is the first time I have had an opportunity to congratulate him in the House. I wish him the very best of luck in his endeavours. I wish to raise the issue of the baby-friendly health initiative, which has been operating in Ireland since 1999, with 100% of maternity hospitals participating. Fifty-three of these hospitals meet...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Maternity Services (12 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Can the Minister of State tell me if Trinity engaged with the baby friendly health initiative during that review? The baby friendly health initiative is an international benchmark and I am concerned as to whether there has been adequate consultation in this regard. I know some of the voluntary hospitals are continuing with the baby friendly health initiative, which is not just about...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I wish to again raise the issue of social and affordable housing that I raised on 2 March. This morning The Irish Timespublished an article about the O'Devaney Gardens, St. Michael's Estate and Oscar Traynor Road. The article highlighted the fact that 1,644 affordable and social units will be delayed because the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has not designed...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Europe called for a review of the renewable energy directive of 2009 on 30 November 2016. The Commission has proposed to review those targets. Those targets range from 10% for Malta to 49% for Sweden and our target is 16% for 2020.These are renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind. A consultation process in respect of this matter was to take place with the Minister. I have a...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The last time I spoke to him about housing was on 2 March when we were debating the introduction of a pilot scheme for affordable housing on the Irish Glass Bottle site. The Minister of State may remember the Commencement matter that we discussed. On that occasion I asked the Minister of State for a pilot scheme and he responded that there was...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: It might be helpful to let the Minister of State reply in full now and that will save time as the debate proceeds because our questions would be answered.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Jul 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I would also like to hear the Minister of State's definition of "substantially commenced". In regard to the automatic granting of an extension to planning permission, since some permissions have been given, the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, studies have been published. Members have not been told where the units are located. Are some on a flood plain and, if so, how...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I have raised the issue of breastfeeding on many occasions in this House, as well as the support given to women regarding it. This morning, I learned with great disappointment that the baby friendly health initiative for our maternity hospitals is ceasing from today because of the withdrawal of a miserable €50,000 by the HSE. I raised the issue by way of a Commencement matter on 12...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Courts Service (28 Sep 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter. In an interview on RTE recently the new Chief Justice acknowledged a basic problem in the justice system, namely, the cost of engaging in litigation in certain cases was beyond the resources of many. There is little point in having a good courts system if a great many people find it difficult, if not impossible, to access it. That is...