Results 141-160 of 4,887 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Human Rights Investigations (22 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I will.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services Provision (22 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This is my second time to address this issue in the Seanad. I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House to take it. In 2005, Tír na nÓg opened to meet the demand for respite services in Carlow and the surrounding areas. At that time, ten children were availing of the service. Eleven years later, 42 children were using the weekend respite service - with a waiting...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services Provision (22 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. There is still confusion. Holy Angels is a great school in Carlow which is awaiting its new school build, which was committed to five years ago. I will follow it up in a future Commencement matter. I am very disappointed. A venue for respite service delivery has been agreed, but where is it? Can I return to the committee and tell the members where exactly...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome the Minister to the House. As I travelled here this morning, I listened to the radio in my car and learned that two people in Dublin become homeless every day. That statistic puts matters in context for us. We must ensure that we pass this Bill. We have a duty to the people of Ireland to ensure that they are not homeless. The responsibility lies with the Minister and with us to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Can the Minister fill us in? We do not want Senator Coffey to get all the praise.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: He should let us know.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am a little confused by some of the questions. How many local authorities have received large-scale housing plans of more than 100 houses in the past ten years? Carlow has not had one in 15 years and, like many other local authorities, would love one. I represent councillors, given that I was a councillor for 20 years. This larger planning scale will not affect most rural counties. The...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is what is more relevant here today.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is important.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I concur with the previous speaker. We sought a review through the Oireachtas but also one which was independent through local authorities and citizens. At the end of the day, the scheme will operate until 2019 and if it is successful, it will be great for people who need homes. We have discussed planning, an area in which many mistakes have been made over the years. It is important that...

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Fianna Fáil cannot support the Bill. While we strongly support a ban on micro-plastic beads, we are anxious that the legislation to introduce a ban be conclusive. Studies have shown that micro-beads can be ingested by marine animals, leading to physical harm, including reproductive toxin effects. There is also evidence that micro-plastics are entering the human food chain and...

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: To be honest, that is why I am reading it, but I am learning a lot. Fianna Fáil will not support the Bill. As previous speakers said, it is really good that we are all working together to promote this issue.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We will introduce our own Bill in the coming weeks.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We are planning to introduce a similar Bill.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Fianna Fáil introduced the plastic bag levy.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The Senator is going overboard.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Apologies.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We are not aware of all this so I do not know where the Senator is getting his information from.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I move amendment No. 3:In page 7, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:“(b) Prior to extending the specified period the Minister shall order the Department to undertake a policy review of strategic housing development and submit it to the Oireachtas for scrutiny.”. Just to clarify, I have spoken to this amendment already and while I do not wish to go over it all...