Results 2,441-2,460 of 8,245 for speaker:Bríd Smith

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ferry Services (7 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: 168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the responsible State regulatory body with oversight for the safe operation of all ferry companies providing services in the State subsidised or otherwise to island communities; the inspections and checks such a body undertakes to ensure that safety measures of such operators are fully compliant with the regulations including the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Córas Iompair Éireann (7 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: 191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has signed or plans to sign the Statutory Instrument to sanction the changes to the CIÉ regular wages scheme agreed in June 2020; if not, when it will be signed; the reason for the ongoing delay given that he indicated that it would be signed in the third quarter of 2021; if changes to the scheme including higher pensions...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Budgets: Engagement with the Climate Change Advisory Council (7 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: I am quite surprised by a few of Ms Donnelly's answers. I refer, in particular, to the one on farming, because it implies the small beef farmers are the problem and we need to do something about them. I am also surprised that Ms Donnelly thinks-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Budgets: Engagement with the Climate Change Advisory Council (7 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: -----gas reduction is a short-term measure. We will be locked into fossil fuel use for at least 20 years if we increase our gas production. We have been told in replies to parliamentary questions and by meeting industry representatives that private planters of forests cannot get licences. The size of the backlog shows that they are not the problem. There are so many applications for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Carbon Budgets: Engagement with the Climate Change Advisory Council (7 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: I thank Ms Donnelly for appearing and answering our numerous questions. On just transition and the role the Climate Change Advisory Council plays in Government policy, Ms Donnelly indicated the council does not make Government policy but reviews it to see if it is in line with the climate action plan. Ms Donnelly stated that all voices needed to be heard, we must listen to everyone and a...

Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: They gave it to the meat plants and the gas industry.

Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: No, but I am interrupting you.

Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: It would be more comfortable. My foot is sore today. I will state categorically that People Before Profit will not be supporting this legislation. We opposed the renewal of these measures in the past and we are opposing them again. They are to be extended to March and possibly beyond. We are opposing them because we do not trust the Government with these laws, nor do we any longer...

Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: Almost.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (3 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: 12. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the last of the direct provision centres to close. [59476/21]

Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: I will not take much time; I wish to ask a question. I am a bit puzzled. My understanding is that the highest rate of Omicron is in the UK. Would the Minister ever envisage introducing mandatory hotel quarantine for people coming from the UK? Although I support the amendment, if the Minister does not envisage that, then the amendment will not really be applicable. I am not arguing...

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: On knock-on effects and pay increases across sectors, we have to acknowledge, and we would be putting our heads in the sand if we did not, that we have a problem with low pay in this country and particularly in the public sector. The ushers and service officers in this House, the cleaners, everyone who looks after us, are not paid enough. The pay is too low. We are not just singling out...

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: I am somewhat puzzled by this. I am glad we are having this debate in the Dáil. I do not think we would be having it were it not for the SAs who got themselves organised into the union, began to push to make this an issue and had webinar meetings with us in this Covid-19 time. Without them, we would not be discussing this matter in the way that we are. It is very important that we...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: I am aware that the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health, all members of the Cabinet and every Member of this House has received expert legal counsel from senior counsel, Stephen Dodd, in regard to the national maternity hospital and the possibility of it being constitutional for the State to compulsorily purchase the lands on which it sits. The senior counsel argues that...

Workplace Ventilation (Covid-19) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Dec 2021)

Bríd Smith: I will focus on the schools because well over a year ago I started questioning the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, about what was going on in schools. I did so because I was personally involved with a number of teachers who were in a group called the Forgotten Families. They were teachers who were vulnerable at school and who stayed at home to avoid Covid because of their...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (30 Nov 2021)

Bríd Smith: I wish to return to the question of student poverty and accommodation costs. I know Rome was not built overnight, but if one lived in Dublin 8 one would swear that student accommodation, built by corporate developers that charge up to €1,800 to live in it for 8 months, was built overnight. It is all over the place. It is totally owned by corporate developers and is very expensive so...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (30 Nov 2021)

Bríd Smith: I am glad the Minister referred to college-owned and affordable accommodation because the Union of Students in Ireland is not the only student group protesting. University College Dublin student groups have been protesting about a 20% to 30% increase in accommodation costs. They are being charged €1,400 for 8 months. The Minister mentioned the cost rental model and I am curious...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Student Accommodation (30 Nov 2021)

Bríd Smith: They are great plans and sound lovely and all the rest of it, but the model of cost rental really matters and the one the Government envisages is not good enough because it leaves people subject to market fluctuations. We cannot do that immediately but there are some things we can do immediately which would help to alleviate student poverty, one of which would be to scrap the registration...

Employment Support Services: Motion [Private Members] (30 Nov 2021)

Bríd Smith: It is possible Deputy Paul Murphy will turn up too; I am not sure. I thank Deputy Kerrane for tabling the motion. It is timely, and I know it is appreciated hugely by the LES workers throughout the country. Earlier, at the gates of Leinster House, we welcomed them from as far away as counties Mayo and Galway to Ballyfermot and County Meath. They came from all over Dublin as well as from...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Telecommunications Infrastructure (30 Nov 2021)

Bríd Smith: 251. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason there is no local consultation in advance of the erection of communication booster masts in the city; if he will provide information on the way and the reason the decision that these masts do not need planning permission was arrived at; if there are plans to change this practice under section 254; and if he will...