Results 121-140 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Seanad: Annual National Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Yes, we wish to share time.

Seanad: Annual National Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I shall speed-read my presentation. I thank the Minister for attending and for his statement. I was delighted to hear him talk about the marine sector because Ireland's greatest asset in sequestering carbon is our marine environment. It was good to hear him talk about adding value through creating jobs in the forestry and marine sectors. Ireland is doing good work in addressing the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water Supply Project for Eastern and Midlands Region: Irish Water (15 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank Mr. Grant for his presentation. With regard to recent information he gave to the Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, Mr. Grant said he was forced to rethink the water usage calculation after it became evident individual usage is 110 litres per person per day. This is significantly less than what Irish water had originally calculated. What would be...

Seanad: Minimum Custodial Periods upon Conviction for Murder Bill 2017: Second Stage (22 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister. I have consulted with my Civil Engagement colleague, Frances Black, who is a member of the Joint Committee for Justice and Equality. At present in Ireland a murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. However, the length of time served in a prison can vary greatly depending on a range of factors, including the circumstances of the case and the operation of...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I ask the Leader to provide specific information to all Senators before 2 p.m. in advance of our consideration of the Heritage Bill 2016 tomorrow. Will the Leader tell us what time the debate on the aforementioned Bill is due to start and how many hours will be devoted to the discussion. I also ask that amendment groupings list be furnished to Senators. On a previous occasion, we did not...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: If the Leader could provide the information I requested in advance of the debate, that will enable us to be prepared.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I absolutely agree with the Acting Chairman and we must move on with the debate. I welcome the Minister to the House again today but I am disappointed she has not formulated any amendments that might give us food for thought based on the last debate. I welcome the debate on this Heritage Bill 2016.It has allowed me to go and consult farmers. I am a farmer's daughter and live in rural...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Absolutely. I was reassured in meeting them.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I was also told by farmers that the issue was being clouded in matters of road safety. We discussed it at length on the last occasion. Matters of road safety and the Road Traffic Act can be dealt with outside this issue. It is not a road safety issue for farmers. The Minister is suggesting roadside hedges be cut and that this is what many farmers disagree with. A farmer said to me last...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: What is the period for this?

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: For 365 days a year.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Very briefly, the Road Safety Act applies 365 days a year-----

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: If it is a problem, the legislation is there to deal with it. With regard to the grouse, the Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations are extremely concerned because it is from 15 June to 31 August when the bees get most of their pollen through the hedgerows. The red, unripened blackberry provides their protein for the winter. The federation has told me that cutting hedges during that...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The waterways of Ireland are wildlife corridors and are like the blood veins of the country. Am I speaking to-----

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: On amendment 1f-----

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Under EU obligations the conservation of wild birds must be taken into consideration. The whole canal system is like a wildlife habitat. As a result of the threat to many bird species it is really important that in all aspects of the canal legislation we recognise the annexes of the EU directives which protect natural habitats and flora and fauna along the canal system.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I wish to make clear that with amendment No. a1f, I am seeking to focus on the conservation of wild birds. Senator Higgins addressed other issues, including mammals and wildflowers, but my amendment is concerned with the conservation of wild birds along our waterways. Indeed, when I say waterways, I am not just talking about the water itself but also the hedgerows and tree lines that run...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Okay. I support what Senator Murnane O'Connor has just said regarding the amenity element of the waterways but we should not forget the community of canal dwellers. Senator Murnane O'Connor and I are members of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government which regularly discusses the issue of our housing stock. There are 200 or more people living on the canals...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: There were several references to a briefing between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. I am disappointed that we never had any contact about a briefing. Hopefully, as this Bill proceeds, we might have an opportunity to sit down with the Minister and engage more on Report Stage.