Results 3,301-3,320 of 4,887 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Sep 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The gender pay gap in respect of pensions was constantly brought up at my clinics during the summer. According to a recent report from the Economic and Social Research Institute, an Irish woman's weekly income is €153 less than that of an Irish man in retirement. The report found that women were less likely to receive a contributory pension than men and that, among those who did,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Sep 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wonder if we need to look at having a minister for women. We are totally forgotten. I am a firm believer that men and women are equal but women are always forgotten.

Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Since becoming a Senator in 2016, I have learned a lot, seen a lot and thoroughly enjoyed my work in the House. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Seanad Éireann has been the subject of no fewer than 14 separate reports on proposed reforms. It is widely accepted that the Upper House can and should play an effective role in Irish politics. Irish people...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome our senior citizens from Carlow. We are delighted to have them here today and I hope they have a lovely day. Today I want to talk about the general data protection regulation, GDPR, which is a year old this month. A most complex piece of legislation, the regulation was an attempt to unify existing legislation enacted after the 1995 directive across the European countries. This...

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Fianna Fáil is also in total agreement with this amendment and will support it. As Senator Gavan said, Deputy Pat Casey spoke about this issue in the Dáil. I also believe it is important to provide for phased increases or decreases for that matter. As the Minister of State will be aware, businesses, especially smaller companies, often cannot afford large increases in rates,...

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Shops closing is a bigger issue. We see shops closing all the time. We should be able to introduce an incentive in that regard.

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I know.

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I understand the Minister's point but the level of rates can be different in local authorities. Some can be much higher, others can be much lower and some can be in the middle range; they all get their lists. In terms of the higher levels of rates, for businesses that may be under pressure or are closing, is it not better to work with and reach an agreement with them on rates rather than...

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Shops.

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with the previous speakers. The Minister of State can realise that all of us here are fighting for the smaller shops that are finding it hard to survive. It is important that the Minister of State would meet the chief executives and local authority members. Sometimes there is a lack of information for councillors or a lack of awareness among them. It would be good for the Minister...

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have a comment on vacant properties relating to sections 9 and 10. It is important that we have a timescale for small shops with an upstairs not in use but which might have been used for storage. That is so important. Another person came to me about a garage. Half the garage was being used and it was too big. He shut off half of it. There are major issues with that. Certain counties...

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This is an important issue because, as Senator Kieran O'Donnell stated, certain organisations achieve charitable status but others cannot. It is very difficult to get it. There needs to be a balance for charities which make very little profit but give so much to the community and have many people depending on them. We need some sort of waiver or regulation such that we ensure that we look...

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The Minister has been in talks with the AILG and councillors, which I welcome, and I am aware that there is a review into the matter. We have many good public representatives who do very good work and it is important that the Minister meets with them. I am happy that the Minister has come to an agreement on this.

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Motion for Earlier Signature (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. I too met with his departmental officials. The biggest issue I had related to crèches and playschools. I got a lot of confirmation for them and I thank the officials for that. This is a significant improvement for businesses, local authorities and councillors. All of us are working together and we want to make sure that our areas are well looked after....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for People with a Disability: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the witnesses. My colleague, Senator Dolan, has been highlighting disability constantly and has gone to the 31 local authorities with the issues. There are massive issues. Children with a disability are not a priority and we need a system whereby children and adults with disabilities are prioritised, so that when we go to a local authority, we know they are on a list and will get a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for People with a Disability: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is not covered by the grants at the moment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for People with a Disability: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is not-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I congratulate Carlow woman Rhona Cullinan for winning the prestigious and inspirational Woman's Waymum of the year award. We often celebrate medals in sport and accolades in businesses. I wanted to celebrate an award for motherhood. It is a job which many of the population do incredibly well but behind the scenes. Rhona is well-known for her advocacy for Down's syndrome and autism. She...

Seanad: Parole Bill 2016: Second Stage (9 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I applaud my colleague, Deputy O'Callaghan, for bringing forward this legislation. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, has been tireless in his work to help it progress. It is one of the most important tranches of legislation to come before these Houses and I appreciate being able to speak on it. Considerable work has gone into the Bill. It is important that we...

Seanad: Local Government Rates and Other Matters Bill 2018: Second Stage (9 Jul 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this important legislation, on which I have received many submissions. I was impressed by the briefing I received from the Department. It is worth stating that much work goes into these issues and sometimes those who do the work are forgotten. Well done to the Minister of State's officials for the briefings we had with them....