Results 561-580 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Financing of Social Housing: Discussion (14 Nov 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: With regard to the local authorities, Ms Bryce identified that there has almost been a lapse period with skill sets. How does she see that aspect functioning for the local authorities? How will they be able to deliver when there is such a deficit of skills at the moment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Financing of Social Housing: Discussion (14 Nov 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I absolutely agree with Deputy Ellis. When one scales up the supply of more apartments according to the model system, every apartment will probably be the same standard model. I just do not understand how the cost of apartments has risen so much. Is it like this in other countries? I understand the SCSI wants to prove the model, but in countries such as the Netherlands and Germany it has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Sustaining Small Rural and Community Business: Discussion (14 Nov 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I was particularly interested in Mr. Boland's presentation and his reference to local public banking. That mechanism works very well in other countries such as the Netherlands and Germany with the Sparkassen model. My question is to the witnesses from the credit union sector. What are their opinions on the potential or opportunity for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Sustaining Small Rural and Community Business: Discussion (14 Nov 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I suggest that the committee ask the Minister when the stakeholder forum will take place and who will sit on it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the delegates for their presentations. For me, the risk lies in Ireland not taking action, which is what we have been doing for the past few years. We import most of our oil and gas energy supplies. We also import most of our food. We export a huge amount of beef and dairy products. In the past few years,this small country has intensified the production of beef and dairy products...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Nov 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: The issue of peatland re-wetting or restoration has been raised. Does Professor Masson-Delmotte have examples of such initiatives?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I too would like to congratulate my Civil Engagement colleague, Senator Ruane, on her award last night for her autobiography, People Like Me. That is the sweet part of my message this morning. The second part is sour, however. On Monday, the first tranche of €100 million for the urban regeneration and development fund was announced. Of that, €6 million was announced for the...

Seanad: Annual National Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: The Minister of State was in Katowice yesterday to hear scientists and communicators, such as David Attenborough, warn global leaders of the gravity and scale of the climate crisis we face. I was here in Ireland and I felt like crying when I heard the words of Sir David Attenborough. Global warming is happening, and has been happening for the last number of decades and action is required...

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

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank our guests for their presentations. I acknowledge the work they have been doing. It is important to take stock of the measures they have already taken. SIPTU has prepared a research booklet for members and commissioned Mary Robinson to write an article for Libertyin order to educate its members on actions they can take. I know Ms Yvonne O'Callaghan and Mr. Adrian Kane are involved...

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

Grace O'Sullivan: What would Mr. Joyce consider that to be?

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

Grace O'Sullivan: Ms O'Callaghan talked about social dialogue. How is Unite engaging the workers at ground level to prepare? As Mr. Noone said, the transition for the Bord na Móna workers was put out to 2028 and now it has been brought back. We are aware of the level of carbon in the atmosphere and the speeding up of global warming. How will the unions work with its workforces to prepare them for this...

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

Grace O'Sullivan: Ms O'Callaghan said there is a just transition centre. Is that established?

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

Grace O'Sullivan: That sounds very good. Given the scale of the climate crisis, one issue the committee has discussed at length is the importance of everyone being engaged, that is, all Departments, sectors, unions and so forth. Is ICTU collaborating or discussing with Departments to ensure we are all moving together on this? Again, that relates to whether the Government is supporting ICTU.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister for coming in. I have been feeling somewhat optimistic during the course of this meeting. The Minister said at the outset that he recognises the urgency of this matter and the need for ambition. I would like to pick up on the point made by Deputy Bríd Smith about licences. If the Government were to withdraw from the issuing of any new licences as part of a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: On Monday the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Canney, launched guidelines for local authorities to plan for making an impact on climate change. A guideline has been set for 30 September 2019. Could that be brought forward? What will we do in 2019? Everybody talks about 2020 and 2030 but what can we do right here and now to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I am wondering about solar. It has not been mentioned. Has the MaREI Centre done any analysis on that area in the context of the mix we have discussed? Is the MaREI analysis of transport only an analysis of the vehicles used? Does the analysis cover the travel options and choices available to people? I am referring to public transport, cycling and walking. What does the MaREI analysis...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber. I will follow on from what Senator Colm Burke was saying with regard to the altering of the boundary. I wonder about the Minister of State's own position and vision with regard to avoiding a doughnut effect. As Senator Colm Burke alluded to, there is large and very welcome development in the city centre, but how are we going to...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: When one thinks of the population increase of 700,000, it means that serious planning must be done. In a time of climate change, of economic growth and of the availability of jobs, which are very welcome, we need to ensure we develop in an efficient and effective way with regard to transport, people and businesses. I would like to hear the Minister of State's view on same. On the holding...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: And heritage.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Grace O'Sullivan: As I indicated last night, I support the Bill generally. For those of us who grew up in Tramore, Cork was always the real capital of Ireland. It is good to see this alteration happening and true recognition being given to Cork, particularly as balance to the development in Dublin. It is important this takes place but it needs to happen properly. I have been engaging with my Green Party...