Results 641-660 of 4,932 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I compliment the Department anyway.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I represent them all. Senator Buttimer all right.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: As long as we get the Garda station reopened, I will be happy.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am here to help him.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Today, a group of protestors will be outside Leinster House asking for a simple, common-sense approach. The protestors are concerned about the lack of transport equality for disabled people. The Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport will be discussing the accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities today. It is terrible that they have to be tough but this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government (Establishment of Town Councils Commission) Bill 2017: Discussion (13 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I also want to give my full support to this. I sat on Carlow Town Council for about 18 years. I could see the difference that the loss of the town council made, because I sat on both the county council and the town council. I will give an example. In Carlow, we originally had a €14 million town council budget. We then had what was called the "roadblock grant". I am sure members...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government (Establishment of Town Councils Commission) Bill 2017: Discussion (13 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I did not see it at first sight. I was just checking.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government (Establishment of Town Councils Commission) Bill 2017: Discussion (13 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with the previous speakers. Having been a member of a town council and a county council for a number of years, I see the benefit of a town council. I am frightened by what was said about all the duplication, the weakness in the system, the inconsistencies and, in particular, the funding. Town councils played a massive role in towns. The budget was the key. A comparison was made...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government (Establishment of Town Councils Commission) Bill 2017: Discussion (13 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I think the departmental officials should talk to LAMA. It plays a massive role-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: Mental Health Services: Discussion (14 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. GPs do a great job and it is not easy. I compliment them on that. I read the report and it referred to the Irish College of General Practitioners having a ten-year plan that contains 14 recommendations. The ninth recommendation refers to building access to primary care mental health services. Representatives of the Department appeared...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: Mental Health Services: Discussion (14 Dec 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Carlow is the same. I am aware of people in Carlow trying to access doctors. It is not the doctors' fault and I do not blame them. It is just that there are not enough doctors. A group from Carlow met a group from Holland recently. The main issue was that 18 years of age is the cut-off for services when one is young. Then one is an adult. However, in most countries they are provided up...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jan 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome everyone back from the Christmas break, although I know we were all working. I agree with what previous speakers said in respect of the case of Ms Joanne Hayes. What happened to that lady was horrific and we all need to make sure that it never happens again. I call on on the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the Chamber to allay my fears regarding the digital age of...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jan 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I will say a little more. I am speaking as a parent and I know that parents need to know what is going on. I want to know what sort of public awareness campaign is operating in respect of this issue. We need to debate it and the Minister for Justice and Equality needs to be here for that debate. This is a very serious issue.

Seanad: Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (17 Jan 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I will be a lot quicker. Hard decisions have to be made but this is a matter for individuals as everyone has their own story. I will give mine. I had my first child at 22 weeks. She weighed only 3 lb and then lost 8 oz to weigh just 2 lb 3 oz. She was quite strong and fought hard and today she is a nurse and a healthy person. This was a baby I gave birth to 30 years ago who, for unknown...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: Community Health Care Organisations: Discussion (18 Jan 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: All the representatives of the CHOs seem to be outlining the same problems such as the recruitment and retention of staff. That must be addressed because mental health is becoming a more serious problem. As I have said at previous meetings of this committee, awareness and working with the families of those with mental health difficulties are issues that are not being addressed. To take...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: Community Health Care Organisations: Discussion (18 Jan 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have one more question. I want to ask about the day centre. There are day centres in all areas, but I can only speak for Carlow. We have Aiséirí and the involvement services. I am going up to meet a group next week. Is a certain amount of funding allocated to these services every year? I understand that every year they are looking for different things and they are told that...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with the previous speaker. Even though we are delighted with the changes, there needs to be a lot more done. I firmly agree with that. I would like to raise an international issue that has very disturbing local consequences. The UK construction and service company, Carillion, which is involved in six projects in Ireland, collapsed this month. The six Irish projects include five...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2018: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State for his opening statement. I was delighted to hear about the meeting that took place yesterday. It is important to get the officials in all the local authorities together because a problem exists in this area. The Minister of State referred to the repair and lease scheme but, in general terms, it is not working because of a funding issue. Carlow and Waterford...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2018: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with Senator Boyhan. This is a very serious issue. Health is a major issue. We all want broadband because modern technology will be crucial to our lives in future. The Minister of State indicated that minor changes would be made to the height of poles and structures carrying overhead lines. Larger structures will also be built to facilitate a greater number of antennae. I have to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2018: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is crucial.