Results 3,921-3,940 of 4,887 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Like many, I watched the gathering last night in County Kerry of those who support women like Emma Mhic Mhathúna and Vicky Phelan, who are enduring such difficult times. I presume everyone watched it. It was heartbreaking. I saw their anger and the continued lack of accountability. More marches in solidarity are planned for this week. We must all support these women and get to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I ask for a debate on the steps we are taking regarding mental health. May is mental health awareness month and mental health affects all of us. There are lots of events across the country to encourage us all to talk more openly about our mental health struggles and experiences. Pieta House's Darkness into Light 2018 initiative, created by our colleague, Senator Joan Freeman, will take...

Seanad: Local Government Accountability Bill 2018: Second Stage (9 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan. As a former councillor, he is aware of the important role councillors play in communities. I am speaking to the Bill on behalf of the 949 councillors across the country who represent people daily. Local representatives need greater support in working for their constituents. The Bill will provide that support. It provides for the...

Seanad: Local Government Accountability Bill 2018: Second Stage (9 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The former Minister, Phil Hogan, played a massive part in their abolition which I have always believed was unfair. We advocate having directly elected mayors with executive powers in every city and subsequently every county such that every area would have its own town council. We need to see a return of town councils, combined with a new Cabinet-style system that would offer enhanced,...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am sad to say I am raising yet another issue with the Health Service Executive, HSE. I am getting calls from people anxious about whether the Government is making investigations into the drug sodium valproate, branded as Epilim, after it emerged that it was linked with birth defects and developmental issues. The HSE said it was preparing to create a register of all the women in Ireland...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am, yes.

Seanad: Commencement Matter: Schools Building Contractors (3 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, for coming to the House. I am a bit disappointed that the Minister for Education and Skills is not here but I understand he is busy. I have a very serious issue to raise this morning which relates to my home town of Carlow. Two nights ago I met with very concerned subcontractors in Carlow who had worked on the construction of Tyndall...

Seanad: Commencement Matter: Schools Building Contractors (3 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Having heard the Minister of State's reply, I am not better off than I was in the aftermath of having a parliamentary question on the matter tabled to the Minister for Education and Skills on my behalf. It is good to know that the responsibility for payment to Sammon Contracting Ireland Limited lay with Carillion Construction Limited but the subcontractors are seeking a meeting with the NDFA...

Seanad: Commencement Matter: Schools Building Contractors (3 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I know that.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I second Senator Mark Daly's amendment to the Order of Business. It is crucial that the Minister should come to the House to discuss the relevant matter. I acknowledge the many Lyme disease patients from across Ireland who gathered outside Leinster House with their families and friends to highlight the plight of Irish sufferers of Lyme and tick-borne co-infections. We should do more to...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (3 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister for coming before the House today. This is a really serious issue. Ms Vicky Phelan's case really is a tragedy that could have been avoided. She is a hero to all Irish women. She has been an example of what a woman can do. She was relentless, she was tireless, she was exhausted. She was a solitary soul fighting against the State. That is what she was. The Minister...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (3 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have cancer patients fighting for medical cards because they cannot get them. I hear from people with long-term illnesses. The HSE needs to have an overhaul.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome the two new Senators. We often have a few battles here but overall, everyone gets on extremely well. I echo what has been said regarding this disturbing information dripping from the HSE in the past few days. Thousands of women across Ireland have been on tenterhooks in case their telephone will ring to inform them that they are among those women who are walking around with...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I appreciate that. This is a major issue for the women of Ireland.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister for coming into the House. I know he is a very busy man. It is good to be busy, and I am busy, but it is not good to be busy if nothing is getting done. I am not saying the Minister is doing nothing. Far from it. I know how hard he is working, but I have concerns. Housing is the key issue facing this Government. It is not about personalities. It is about real...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: -----but that was last year. We actually turned the sods at that time. Work has started on some of the houses - I will give credit where credit is due - but they were last year's targets. I need the Minister to know that. Let us not highlight what many of us believe are targets which fall very far short of our current waiting lists. It is great to have a plan and a goal but as we all...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Hang on. I am getting there. Almost 10,000 people are homeless, more than 3,000 of them are children. We are a rich country so if money is not a problem, what is the problem? Homeless numbers are high. Home building numbers are tens of thousands behind what they should be. Ordinary workers cannot afford a home and those who have secured a mortgage are struggling. We are struggling...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I will make a final point about my area. I have addressed this but I am so disappointed. I refer to the number of people in Carlow who are not qualifying to go on the housing list because of the cap of €27,500 per year when the cap in neighbouring counties is €30,000 and €32,000 per year. That is not acceptable. People are becoming homeless because the Minister is not...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: -----and I know he is trying. I have a lot more to say-----

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: -----but I will come back to the Minister. I thank him for taking the time to listen to me.