Results 21-40 of 1,343 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (27 Feb 2025)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit on his appointment. I am sure he is wondering why a Senator from Dublin Central is asking about rural housing planning guidelines, but he knows my remit and that I was elected by councillors from around the country. He is also familiar with the fact that this is issue that was considered by the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (27 Feb 2025)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister of State. He articulated the complexity of the issues very well. I recognise that complexity, as do councillors around the country. We all appreciate that the balance between housing, economic, social and environmental needs has to be got right. All of these elements need to be accommodated and protected.We need to be careful not to allow perfection to be the enemy of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2025)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I join the Cathaoirleach and the Deputy Leader in offering our best wishes to the people of Bulgaria on their national day. This week marks three years since Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. We in the Upper House and the Lower House marked that and reaffirmed our solidarity with the people of Ukraine. I acknowledge the great leadership being shown by our Taoiseach. I understand he is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2025)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Absolutely. I apologise for not respecting that. It was not my intention. I will not continue on the subject. Go raibh maith agat.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (26 Feb 2025)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire. I wish him luck in his new role. I am sure he will have a transformative effect on all matters related to transport. Public transport is essential for our economic, social and environmental progress. It is critically important. The importance this Government places on it is a budget of almost €4 billion, almost half of which is in public...

Seanad: Community Safety: Statements (25 Feb 2025)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for discussing community safety with us. It is a request other Senators and I have made. The people who live, work and visit my community just want to feel safe. This is not an unreasonable expectation to have or an unreasonable request to make. I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment and Jim O'Callaghan on his. Trying to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Feb 2025)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Comhghairdeachas to the Cathaoirleach and to everyone who has been elected. It is a great privilege for all of us to get to serve in this House. I start by thanking everyone who voted for me and who supported me. I particularly thank the Seanad staff, including Martin Groves in the Seanad Office. Without their work none of us would have been elected and they did it with great...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Policy (7 Nov 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister for being here this morning. I have tabled this Commencement Matter on behalf of those who have been diagnosed with dyslexia, their families, teachers and friends and the society that represents those with dyslexia and dyspraxia. I am asking for an update from the Minister on what engagement the Department has had with the SEC on their request for extra time for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Policy (7 Nov 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister of State for the reply. I welcome the fact the SEC acknowledges the increasing complexity, particularly in terms of special educational needs and examination of students with special educational needs. I also welcome the fact the SEC has committed to undertaking and will undertake a full and comprehensive review of the arrangements that are in place. The accommodations...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: This is the last Order of Business for this Seanad and, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I thank Martin, Bridget and all of the staff in the Seanad Office, the Head Usher and all of the ushers in both Houses for their courtesy, support, co-operation and dedication. It has been a huge privilege for me personally to serve in this Seanad and it has been a privilege for my colleagues....

Seanad: Amendment to Seanad Standing Orders: Motion (23 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Senators for bringing the motion this evening and I thank the secretariat for drafting the motion so expertly. I sympathise with the proposer on his experience of the duplicity of a former Taoiseach. I cannot speak to that or account for it, or I certainly cannot apologise for it. I reject the insinuation that Chairs who are supported by Government are somehow impartial or...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I want to start by offering my condolences to the family and friends of Liam Payne. It was very sad news overnight and I extend my condolences. I welcome the update from the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Deputy Martin, on the work he and his Department are doing as part of UNIFIL to support our troops deployed in the Middle East and Lebanon. The Minister is working with 16...

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank all the witnesses for coming in and for their submissions. Professor Comiskey made one comment I would like to understand better. She referred to tackling decriminalisation but do not decriminalise. I think that is what I heard.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Okay. What would the Professor's opinion be?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I am sorry for interrupting. It is specifically looking at decriminalising the individual.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Okay.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Yes.

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank Professor Comiskey for that comment. Turning to the nurse prescribing issue, I am not very familiar with health legislation. I cannot understand why clinical decisions would be captured in any legislation. Those are for clinical professionals to make. Can Professor Comiskey please explain to me why it is the legislation that is dictating nurse prescribing of methadone?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: No. I got the timeline and read it. Can Dr. Kelly help me to understand the thinking behind it being captured in legislation?

Committee on Drugs Use: A Health-Led Approach: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Oct 2024)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Are all controlled drugs controlled under legislation?