Results 41-60 of 4,887 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Tenant Purchase Scheme (13 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: On a point of order, we have had no tenant purchase scheme in any local authority for nearly three years.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Tenant Purchase Scheme (13 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: To clarify, the scheme was introduced in January and the local authority in Carlow only sent out the forms in March, so in my eyes the period in question for the scheme to be examined was only three months. My point is that no scheme was in place for the previous two and a half years. We have a housing crisis. From what the Minister of State said, everything must be addressed, including...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Tenant Purchase Scheme (13 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes, it is very good.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Previous speakers have spoken about back-to-school expenses, but it is frightening to think that in 2012 it cost €686 for a child to go back to primary school and now it costs €967. It cost €1,090 for a child to go back to secondary school in 2012, while it now costs €1,474. To know that parents have cut back on food is frightening. As I have said to the...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2016: Second Stage (13 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Fianna Fáil supports this Bill in principle but it will be putting forward amendments to it on Committee Stage. I welcome all of the contributions thus far on the Bill. I would like to put it on record that Fianna Fáil was the only parliamentary party to oppose the abolition of the Seanad in 2013. I believe reform has started in the context of the 42 new Senators elected in 2016....

Seanad: Housing for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Fianna Fáil is happy to support this motion. We need to ensure that people with disabilities are given equal opportunities and access to essential services. Some 13% of the population is classified as having a disability. I hope the new national disability inclusion strategy, which is due to be in place by the end of 2016, will reflect this. I think this is crucial. I also welcome...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wish to address the leader of the Fine Gael group about a disappointing matter. Three weeks ago, I put down a Commencement issue for the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, relating to Tír na nÓg respite services. I am very disappointed because on the day I received an insufficient reply. What should happen when a Minister is called to the House to...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome this important Bill and will seek clarification on some aspects from the Minister of State in due course. Fianna Fáil supports the Bill which sets out a clear route to end failed water charges. The measure is the first step in ending water charges. Under the new Bill water charges will be suspended immediately. Irish Water will be subject to a new oversight body and remain...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. Local authorities need to know what role they are expected to play. In 2015 only 53% of all revenue due to Irish Water was paid. The recent collapse in payment rates for bills sent in April and May only added to the pre-existing trend. When all costs are factored in, it constitutes a massive amount of money, as follows: €540 million spent on water...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is not true.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: No, it is not.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: There is too much leakage and there are too many problems with the system.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The Government spent €172 million setting up Irish Water.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: No one takes responsibility, neither local authorities nor Irish Water.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is 100% right.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Nobody will take responsibility for it.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Hear, hear. Exactly.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is a disaster.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: They did not set up Irish Water.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is Fianna Fáil doing the right thing.