Results 15,521-15,540 of 21,499 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (28 Nov 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: When the institutions collapsed, public confidence in them was at rock bottom. They collapsed because of a perception of corruption and malpractice. The Deputy might struggle with the notion that public opinion reacts adversely to corruption and bad practice, but that is how it happened. If one cares to go and listen widely, people will say with clarity that they did not want a situation...

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap Information) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Nov 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: I also commend Senator Bacik on introducing this important legislation. As my colleague stated, we will support the Bill. Indeed, we share the frustration of the Labour Party with Government foot-dragging on the issue. The gender pay gap is not a new issue. A multitude of research has been undertaken across the EU and in Ireland on the subject. Back in 2002 the Department of Justice,...

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap Information) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Nov 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: I have far more faith in the commission charged with equality and human rights than I would have in many who have graced ministerial office. I appeal to the Minister of State to support the legislation, allow it to proceed and give the women of Ireland some Christmas cheer.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: Traditionally, December is the time of year when we think, in particular, of those who are homeless and, more specifically, those citizens who are sleeping rough. We know from last week's homelessness figures that there are now more people homeless in the state than ever before. We also know that the official figures actually understate the reality of homelessness across society. The rough...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Taoiseach's party has been in government for more than seven years. For the purposes of clarity, the theme I raised was not Christmas so much as the theme of a housing crisis and a homelessness crisis over which the Taoiseach and his colleagues have presided. People took to the streets in vast numbers on Saturday. I am sure all of us are aware that it is not easy to mobilise people....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: I would like the Taoiseach to address the question I asked about the possibility of a rent freeze. I put it to him again that there is a need to adopt the proposal known as the Focus amendment to deal with the issue of landlords seeking vacant possession to sell houses and homes over the heads of tenants.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: This is one of the main contributing factors, if not the main one, to homelessness and family homelessness in particular. I have mentioned two concrete, innovative, brave and decisive things that the Taoiseach could do if he were minded to get a grip on this situation.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: Can we have a straight answer on the rent freeze as well as on the amendment to the law that has been proposed and with which the Taoiseach is familiar?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: It has been known as the Focus amendment since it was advanced by Focus Ireland in the first instance.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: Yesterday was the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is timely to remind ourselves that although 2018 has been an important year for citizens with a disability, much remains to be done. In March, the State finally ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was very welcome. However, that ratification was only a first step and the real...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Seanad Reform (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: 1. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Seanad reform implementation group. [48019/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Seanad Reform (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: I thank the Taoiseach for his answer. I understand that the work of the Seanad reform implementation group is due to conclude next week, that it was to sign off on a proposed Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the Manning report and that the legislation was then to be sent to the Taoiseach. What happens next in the process? Will the Taoiseach accept the group's Bill? I am aware...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: 3. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with the President of Finland, Mr. Sauli Niinistö, and the Prime Minister of Finland, Mr. Juri Sipilä. [48235/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: The centenary commemorative events provided a moment and opportunity for many families the length and breadth of this land and beyond to remember in a very specific way the members of their family who fell in what was termed the Great War. In the midst of that very necessary remembrance of young lives lost - an entire generation - in the killing fields of Flanders, it is very important that...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: 7. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the role of his Department in preparing for Brexit. [48234/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (4 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: In some respects, this issue of preparedness is a difficult one. I do not believe this State should concede that we will countenance for a second a scenario in which there is any hardening of the Border on our island. I do not think we should concede our ambitions in respect of North-South trade, the maintenance of the status quoand the protection of our agreements. We have agreed that all...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: Yesterday, I raised with the Taoiseach the crisis impacting on those in the private rental sector and he brushed the concerns I raised aside. I note he is doing the same this morning. As he acknowledged, Threshold has published its annual report, the findings of which illustrate the extent of the plight facing renters across the State. It states:It became evident in 2017 that some...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: It proposes a very necessary change in the law. I remind Deputy Martin and his party that Fianna Fáíl voted against that amendment, along with its Fine Gael colleagues in Government. Shame on Fianna Fáil. It is a disgrace for it to have done that-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----and contributed to the haemorrhaging of families, in particular, into homelessness. It did so with its eyes wide open.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: Yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach to address these issues. I will try again today. When will the Government bring in a rent freeze, a tax break for renters rather than the landlord friends of the Government and the amendment that is necessary to protect people and keep them in their homes when landlords choose to sell?