Results 501-520 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I will briefly address supports for the local media in advance of budget 2019 next week. There was a briefing with some 40 representatives of Ireland's local and regional newspapers and other media here in Leinster House two weeks ago. The AV room, in which the event was held, was full to the rafters.The media outlined the severe pressures faced by their industry in a digital news age. We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (4 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: Anyone tuning into this broadcast would be left thinking that in order to tackle climate change, one would need an electric vehicle, EV, because most of this conversation has been about electric vehicles. How are we really going to tackle the fact that 20% of greenhouse gas emissions are generated by transport? We will do so by moving into the public transport space and away from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (4 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: What is the Department doing to support cyclists and walkers? I ask because cyclists and walkers produce zero greenhouse emissions. If we are serious about tackling climate change then something must happen in those areas. Mr. Doyle mentioned the alternative fuels offer and stated alternative fuel "offers one of the most cost-effective and feasible pathways" to reducing emissions. What...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (4 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: It was stated in the submission that alternative fuels offer one of the most cost-effective pathways to reducing emissions. What is the cost per tonne of CO2 emissions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (4 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: As electric vehicles are deployed how will the shortfall in revenue be made up? Is the Department meeting the Department of Finance?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (4 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: On that point, there is a capacity issue affecting the trains at peak hours as well. That needs to be taken into account in planning timetables. What is the National Transport Authority doing about congestion in its timetables? I hear all the time from people that they arrived on the bus arrives to Limerick to find the bus to Waterford had left ten minutes earlier. Congestion is having an...

Seanad: Mental Health (Capacity To Consent To Treatment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (10 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly. I support this really important legislation which has been brought before the House by Senators Máire Devine and Fintan Warfield and commend Ms McManus for her contribution and research. It is common-sense legislation. As this is World Mental Health Day, it is a really appropriate day on which to see the Bill being passed. The Green...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I support what Deputy Corcoran Kennedy said about the role of Met Éireann in communication. I have been thinking about phenology, which relates to plant species. Met Éireann is a communication tool. I think it could serve as a good way of bringing the public on board with regard to climate change. If this is done on a monthly basis, we will have missed all the storms that are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: What about existing stock in low-lying areas? What will happen when the next flood occurs in November. There is a storm predicted for this weekend, with onshore southerly winds. We know that the sea level is rising and that families are living in housing in low-lying areas. What is going to happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I understand there is a phase 1, but I am getting to the deep retrofit where the State gets in with grants and all of the incentives to do a full and thorough job in one run, as opposed to bit by bit, with such an amount being done this year and a requirement to come back next year to do a deeper job. I am talking about efficiencies and scale.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: Can the Department set the BER standard for rented properties?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: The same problem of fuel poverty arises for those who are renting social housing to have a high standard for comfortable living.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: It would be good.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Standards: Discussion (11 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I agree with Deputy O'Dowd that the presentations were very informative. My first question is to the Department. What happens now with the fire safety report? Will there be further research to confirm the extent to which fire safety measures are in place and will this research be ongoing? In light of the necessity for new buildings, does the fire department have the necessary resources...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Standards: Discussion (11 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: Is there a list of buildings with this defect?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Standards: Discussion (11 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: In the light of the demand for housing, the need to build houses and the lack of skilled personnel in the construction industry and the point made by Ms Hegarty on the personnel required for inspections and fire safety, what is the Department doing to ensure we can scale up in the construction sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Standards: Discussion (11 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: In regard to the skills shortage, is the Department working with the other Departments in terms of education and training and the acquisition of skills to ensure there will be sufficient skilled people in the industry? There is a significant shortage of skilled staff.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I extend my best wishes to the members of Government who are taking up their positions in their new Departments today. I would like to draw particular attention to the incoming Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, as he takes up his crucial role. The Minister pronounced on Twitter that he is looking forward to the implementation of the national...

Seanad: Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Second Stage (17 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister of State for outlining the provisions of this Bill, which is welcome. It was only produced recently despite a long process, which led to its provisions and scheme being complied. It will proceed quickly. We are on Second Stage and Committee Stage is set for next week. I welcome this, as it demonstrates the Minister of State's determination and leadership. I wish we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 42- Department of Rural and Community Development (17 Oct 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. I am delighted he got his promotion and appointment. What mechanisms does the Minister have to ensure that there is a balanced approach to regional funding? I am from the Waterford area and Dr. Senan Cooke was before the committee recently discussing the area made up of Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand and Annestown where funding was...