Results 1,521-1,540 of 1,578 for speaker:Lorraine Clifford-Lee

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (25 Feb 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. The Minister of State is very welcome to the Seanad to discuss this important matter. As he knows, I am passionate about the delivery of services for my constituency. One of my top priorities is the delivery of a new school building for Rush National School. It is a matter I have continuously raised in the Seanad and one we need to keep raising and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (25 Feb 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I thank the Minister of State for his response, which outlined the long and sorry history of the delivery of this project. It is not good enough. The people of Rush and, in particular, the children of Rush National School deserve better. I am glad to see that Department officials will keep the school authorities updated as this stage progresses. Regarding doubling down on this commitment...

Seanad: Community Safety: Statements (25 Feb 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I welcome the Minister to the very important debate we are having. I specifically raise the issue of domestic and gender-based violence. We are at a record high of gender-based violence, with 20,000 more reports to gardaí in more than four years. It is good that people are coming forward and reporting to gardaí but it is clear there has been an increase in violence in the...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I second the motion. I am very happy that the Minister has attended. It is our first item of Private Members' business, which reflects the importance the Fianna Fáil Group is placing on transport. I was very happy to see that the Minister got this brief because I know he understands this issue, which is a top priority for the people of north County Dublin. I will raise a number of...

Seanad: International Women's Day - Women's Health: Statements (5 Mar 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: The Minister is very welcome on this day to mark International Women's Day. We are, of course, discussing a very important topic. It is one in which I know she will excel in her role as Minister for Health. The previous Minister, Stephen Donnelly, changed the landscape for women's health in Ireland during his term of office. I am sure she will continue that very good work and expand on...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Mar 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: There is a need for a debate on the national swimming strategy for the period 2024 to 2027. This was launched last August by the then Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and aims to provide everyone in Ireland with an opportunity to swim. The strategy focuses on enhancing facilities, coaching, safety awareness and pathways for high-performance athletes. A key component is an allocation...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Mar 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I also welcome those from St. Joseph's in Rush. I am very familiar with it. It is great to see them all. They are all very welcome to Leinster House. Before they came in, I raised the issue of the need to develop a swimming pool for north County Dublin. It is an issue the guests have contacted me about through the years. I am working on it. I look forward to a trip to St. Joseph's in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Mar 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: A month of celebrations.

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy National Plan: Statements (20 Mar 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I extend my congratulations to the Minister and wish him the very best of luck in his brief. No doubt, given his background in agriculture, he will have no need to get up to speed on many of the issues within the Department. I rise today to talk about the Common Agricultural Policy, which has been very important to this country's development since we joined the European Union. I...

Seanad: Road Safety: Statements (25 Mar 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: The Minister of State is very welcome back to this House. I congratulate him on his appointment. This is my first time standing before him in the Chamber since his promotion. I am sure he will bring his skills and talent to the position.It is really important that we are having this discussion. All our communities and families have, unfortunately, been hit by road fatalities and serious...

Seanad: Special Education Provision: Motion (26 Mar 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: The Minister of State is welcome to the House and I am particularly glad he is taking this motion. I commend Sinn Féin on laying the motion before the House and giving us the opportunity to discuss this important topic. We are all aware of the issues facing families with special education needs. The Minister of State has a deep, personal and long-standing commitment to this topic and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (27 Mar 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: The Minister of State is very welcome to the House and I thank him for being here to respond to my Commencement matter. When I submitted this matter, I asked that the Minister engage with the NTA on implementing fairer fares for north County Dublin. The fairer fares scheme has been rolled out to some extent and I know more work has to be done on it but I am speaking specifically about the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (27 Mar 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I am well aware the Department and the Minister are not involved in day-to-day operations of public transport, but the opening paragraph of the Minister of State's response stated that the Minister is responsible for policy. This is why I am asking for engagement. It is the policy of the Government to encourage people onto public transport, to lessen the burden of cost on commuters and to...

Seanad: Childcare: Statements (2 Apr 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I thank the Minister for coming to the Seanad to talk about this important issue. She is going to do well in this role. It complements her previous role as Minister for Education because the education of children is on the same spectrum. As the Minister outlined, there has been unprecedented investment in early years education over the past number of years. Childcare fees for parents...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (20 May 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I commend Senator O'Loughlin on introducing this Bill. It is essential in this day and age that we have effective laws to combat very serious crimes. Previous speakers have outlined the emotional, physical and financial risks of catfishing. However, emotional damage is also done through catfishing. I have spoken to some people who were catfished and they pointed to the loss of trust in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 May 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I also raise the issue of Fiona Pender and the search for her body that is under way. Senator O'Loughlin raised this matter. It is a story that has haunted us all. We all want a good outcome for her brother, now her only serving next-of-kin, whereby her body and that of her unborn baby - Fiona was seven months pregnant - are found. I raise the need for a debate in the House regarding...

Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (28 May 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: Go raibh míle maith agaibh as an deis labhairt le linn an chruinnithe seo. I thank my colleagues for placing their trust in me to be Leas-Chathaoirleach of this committee. It is a committee that is of utmost importance to all of us here present and I look forward to working with you all collaboratively over the coming term. Once again, thank you very much.

Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)

Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I thank Mr. Creegan for coming in today. I have several issues I wish to raise with him. On the rail fare changes introduced, I live in north County Dublin. People there have been particularly badly impacted. Those living in Balbriggan and Skerries are now paying over 30% more for their rail fares. They are not in the Dublin city zone like all the other...