Results 481-500 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Climate Change Advisory Council (12 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: The first recommendation of the Citizens' Assembly was that, as a matter of urgency, a new or existing independent body should be resourced to look into this issue. It is apparent that Departments are not working interdependently or cross-sectorally on climate change. If an independent body was set up, as recommended by the assembly, it would have longevity unlike Governments, which change....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Climate Change Advisory Council (12 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I appreciate that. It is recommendation No. 1 so it is part of our remit. I have a few other questions. With regard to taxes, vulnerable members of the community may be on a lower income, so how would they be compensated? Have the witnesses done any analysis on the impact of taxation on the vulnerable in society? It is highly frustrating to be part of a committee like this; it is hard...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Environmental Pillar (12 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: It is lovely to hear Mr. St. Ledger talk about the circular economy and how things could be done properly. There is little of that sort of joined-up thinking in Ireland. We are here on foot of the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly regarding how the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change. It is a barometer of public opinion. In light of the repeal of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Environmental Pillar (12 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I agree that there is a task to communicate properly and that we are failing in this regard. We have failed in this in recent years and that is why we have the problems with which we are faced. Mr. Coghlan referred to retrofitting. A CSO infographic I have in my possession highlights the fact that between 2015 and this year the heating market in new builds has remained dominated by gas,...

Seanad: Post Office Closures: Motion (19 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: What Ireland needs now are strong, sustainable communities. Any erosion of the post office service erodes communities, rural and urban. I see that the Minister is wearing the sustainable development pin. Goal 11 of the sustainable development goals is for sustainable cities and communities. I am a regular user of my post office in Tramore, which is well managed and run by its postmaster,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Oversight and Audit Commission: Chairperson Designate (19 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome Mr. McCarthy and congratulate him on his appointment. What is his current analysis of the local authorities? I am interested in knowing, as he enters this new position, what his overview is. On his ambitions for the NOAC, what is his vision and set of priorities for it? In his presentation Mr. McCarthy talked about the different areas in which NOAC members were involved, one...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Advisory Body: Discussion (19 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I congratulate Dr. McGowan on his appointment. He has one of the most important tasks because water is such an important resource for so many services and users. It is of significant importance and we saw that in the large demonstrations with regard to the implementation of water metering. It has not gone away in people's minds. People still remember it. With regard to his ambition and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Advisory Body: Discussion (19 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: My question is probably pertinent to Mr. Page. I will provide an example of a problem in Tramore, County Waterford, the area I am from. We have a Blue Flag beach, which is affected by rogue pipes and grey water or sewage water enters the bay area and people get sick as a result. In one case, members of the RNLI became sick. It is an ongoing occurrence. What can be done to alleviate that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Advisory Body: Discussion (19 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: As the CEO of the Water Advisory Body, does Mr. McGowan advise the Minister, Irish Water, or both?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I have just come from Buswells Hotel where cyclists.ieis presenting its pre-budget submission. As a Senator from Waterford, I have seen the benefits of cycling. The Waterford greenway has been an absolute game-changer in Waterford in terms of tourism and encouraging local people to cycle. Everyone knows that cycling not only reduces emissions, thus helping Ireland to achieve its climate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Engagement with Ms Marie Donnelly (20 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank Ms Donnelly for her presentation. It is quite inspiring because she has given us examples of countries such as the Netherlands and Germany where it all seems so easy. There are so many different mechanisms to generate energy and to work towards energy security. We are here on the island of Ireland and we have probably the best wind in Europe available on the western seaboard. We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Engagement with Ms Marie Donnelly (20 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: Some in Waterford sent me a text the other day to tell me that Kilbarry eco-estate has received planning approval. It will be Ireland's most sustainable development. Homes will have no energy costs and will have enough power to power an electric vehicle. This will lead to a 50% reduction in the annual footprint of homeowners. Savings of €40,000 a year will be made in respect of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (26 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I am always reminded of the mobile phone and how 25 to 30 years ago, people carried a large battery cell phone around with them and how it is such a small device now. We should embrace the challenge, particularly with regard to renewable energy and having a healthy environment in which to live. I have a number of questions for Mr. Mark...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (26 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: Sorry, I have several more questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (26 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: That is my question. What is the Department doing to support energy co-operatives?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Future of Council Housing: Discussion (26 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I, too, was at the launch. The report is a great contribution to the issue of local authority housing. I came back from the Netherlands in 2000 as a single parent with three children and went into social housing, so I know what it is like. As someone said earlier, it is very different from 30 years ago. The demographic has changed and the type of people who need support from the councils...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Future of Council Housing: Discussion (26 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I asked about the best examples from the local authorities and abroad.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Statements (27 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Phelan, and thank him for his opening statement on the proposed electoral commission. I am glad that we are finally making a move on this important issue. As democracy faces challenges across the world, Ireland is a beacon of reason and toleration in the face of waves of hate and disruption...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Sustaining Small Rural Businesses: Irish Local Development Network (27 Sep 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: It is wonderful to hear the witnesses' enthusiasm. They are the champions in their communities. I acknowledge the presence of Dr. Senan Cook, whom I know personally. I attended the communities creating jobs workshop in Dunhill. What is being done in this community, in terms of bottom-up, is incredible. As someone who lives close to the Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand and Annestown area, I...

Seanad: The Transfer of Functions of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: Statements (3 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister for coming to the House for this debate. In advance, I consulted my Green Party colleague and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown county councillor, Mr. Ossian Smyth. The Minister will be aware that the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, told the Dáil last night that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council taxpayers will not be liable for the €33.5...