Results 21-40 of 1,573 for speaker:Lorraine Clifford-Lee
- Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: Go raibh míle maith agaibh as an deis labhairt le linn an chruinnithe seo. I thank my colleagues for placing their trust in me to be Leas-Chathaoirleach of this committee. It is a committee that is of utmost importance to all of us here present and I look forward to working with you all collaboratively over the coming term. Once again, thank you very much.
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I thank Mr. Creegan for coming in today. I have several issues I wish to raise with him. On the rail fare changes introduced, I live in north County Dublin. People there have been particularly badly impacted. Those living in Balbriggan and Skerries are now paying over 30% more for their rail fares. They are not in the Dublin city zone like all the other...
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: We already have an inequitable system. We have people in County Dublin who are being treated like they do not live in County Dublin.
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: This is not London we are talking about, with all the different zones. We have a strong connection to our counties here in Ireland. People who live in Balbriggan and Skerries feel very connected to County Dublin. They feel they are not being treated like all other Dublin rail users.
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: The NTA is not going to consider moving Skerries and Balbriggan from zone 1? It is just not in the review.
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: My time is limited. In the context of child fares, was this not considered or did the NTA just think that families would not even notice?
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: Why were these inequalities put in place in the first instance? Now it is being reviewed and there might be a change in September.
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: Why was that not put in earlier?
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: Why were the interzone inequalities not considered, or were they?
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: When will the interzone inequalities be corrected?
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I will move on to the Local Link service, which is excellent and which serves many rural communities. I was quite dismayed when it was stated that there is not going to be an increase in funding. In my area of north County Dublin, we have a strong demand for increased services along existing routes and for the introduction of new routes. I mention route 195, which services Balbriggan,...
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I thank Mr. Creegan.
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: Okay. There is no capacity to introduce any new routes beyond the existing ones.
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: Can I very quickly ask-----
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I might get back in then.
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: MetroLink is vital infrastructure, not just for north Dublin but for this country. We all know that the railway order was submitted in November 2024 and a decision is imminent. I believe from the timeline the NTA outlined that the tendering is expected to commence in 2026. Are preparations under way to adhere to that timeline? What is going on behind the scenes so that the tender...
- Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: Once that rail order comes through, will there be nothing then to throw things off schedule?
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I also raise the issue of Fiona Pender and the search for her body that is under way. Senator O'Loughlin raised this matter. It is a story that has haunted us all. We all want a good outcome for her brother, now her only serving next-of-kin, whereby her body and that of her unborn baby - Fiona was seven months pregnant - are found. I raise the need for a debate in the House regarding...
- Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (20 May 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I commend Senator O'Loughlin on introducing this Bill. It is essential in this day and age that we have effective laws to combat very serious crimes. Previous speakers have outlined the emotional, physical and financial risks of catfishing. However, emotional damage is also done through catfishing. I have spoken to some people who were catfished and they pointed to the loss of trust in...
- Seanad: Childcare: Statements (2 Apr 2025)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee: I thank the Minister for coming to the Seanad to talk about this important issue. She is going to do well in this role. It complements her previous role as Minister for Education because the education of children is on the same spectrum. As the Minister outlined, there has been unprecedented investment in early years education over the past number of years. Childcare fees for parents...