Results 101-120 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I wish everybody a very happy 2017 and I hope we have a good year. Like other Members, I welcome the Government's announcement of the action plan for rural development. Those who will be affected by the plan have been consulted widely. The plan promoted cross-departmental co-operation and has some solid proposals to make it easier for people to continue living and raising families in Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and Mr. Séamas Ó Tuathail, SC (25 Jan 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I have a far easier question for Ms Graham. As Mr. Ó Tuathail said, there is still genuine public concern about Irish Water. I believe a referendum would be appropriate to deal with the question of Irish Water and to engage with the concerns of the public. In terms of a timeline, what would be involved? How would that process take place and how long would it take?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and Mr. Séamas Ó Tuathail, SC (25 Jan 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: This morning, we heard the disturbing news that homelessness levels in Ireland have gone above 7,000 for the first time. Some 68% of this homelessness is in Dublin. As the Simon Community report published today reveals, 83% of property in the capital is now priced out of the reach of those on housing benefits such as rent supplement or the housing assistance payment. Home repossessions are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Derelict Sites and Underused Spaces: Discussion (1 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I am a Green Party Senator and this issue - providing homes as quickly as possible in times of crisis - is core to us. I have taken Dr. Sirr's comments on board and I will introduce legislation on vacant and derelict housing in the coming two weeks. It is a crisis. Building in towns and urban regeneration are critical given that, contrary to...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 8, Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017, be taken before No. 1.

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: First Stage (2 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move:That leave be granted to introduce Bill entitled an Act to amend the Derelict Sites Act 1990 to increase the levy placed on derelict sites; to ensure the register of derelict sites compiled by a local authority is made publicly available on the local authority’s website; to ensure protection for the rights of older homeowners who have moved into residential care and own a...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: First Stage (2 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: We will discuss the Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill in the Chamber with the Minister today. I tabled the Bill as a member of the Civil Engagement group and a member of the Green Party. Both groups are motivated by a desire to increase fairness in our society while working with politicians of other parties and none to advance fairness and equity. The Bill is not radical. From speaking to...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, who has been here for quite a long time. The Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017 is designed to address the issue of empty, derelict and undeveloped land being held inactive and unused across the country, at a time of unprecedented crisis in...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: In the time of Michael Davitt's youth, rates of homelessness and destitution in an Ireland far more populated than it is today stood at 11,000 people. Can we stand by and watch as the Ireland of today faces homelessness of almost the equivalent size?

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I re-emphasise that we are still in a crisis. I understand that the Minister is doing everything in his power to deal with the housing and homelessness crisis. However, it is something that continues to evolve. I understand he is doing his best. With regard to our recent debates in the Seanad before Christmas and the changes in legislation, all Acts, even new ones, must be open to...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: She is all talk and we are not getting solutions from her. What we are getting is a load of rubbish. In fairness, it was a load of rubbish. We have done our best on the Bill.

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: To hear that level of-----

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: That was very poor.

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I know Senator Murnane O'Connor agrees with what we have and I am so sorry that she cannot support it personally because her party does not support it. I thank Senator Boyhan for his considered contribution to the debate. I thank him for speaking to its actual content and for his appeal to allow it to continue to the next Stage. No Bill is perfect and the process we would like to propose...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the witnesses. It has been very useful having them here today. In terms of the metering, Mr. Jones mentioned that 50% of people in Wales are metered and 50% are not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Does that mean that 50% are metered and the other 50% are covered by the district metering system?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: What is the advantage of metering? Does it help in getting specific data for business planning? What advantage is there in each household having a meter?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: In terms of business planning is the metering per house of any advantage?