Results 21-40 of 118 for speaker:Maria McCormack

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2025)

Maria McCormack: As mentioned last night, our colleague and friend Senator Chris Andrews, along with a number of other Irish citizens, was detained in international waters by heavily armed Israeli forces while on a peaceful humanitarian mission to Gaza. The mission was, as Senator Rabbitte clearly pointed out, about nothing more than bringing food and medicine to starving families. It was humanitarian, it...

Seanad: Agricultural Sector: Motion (1 Oct 2025)

Maria McCormack: I move amendment No. 1: After the word “notes:” to insert the following paragraph: “- the increase of incidents of Bovine TB which are at record levels;” I thank the Fine Gael Senators for bringing forward this motion on agriculture. I am a farmer's daughter so I am delighted to have a chance to speak on this debate on agriculture. As the Minister...

Seanad: Agricultural Sector: Motion (1 Oct 2025)

Maria McCormack: Hear, hear,

Seanad: Agricultural Sector: Motion (1 Oct 2025)

Maria McCormack: That is not what the IFA is saying.

Seanad: Agricultural Sector: Motion (1 Oct 2025)

Maria McCormack: I second it.

Seanad: Pension Auto-Enrolment: Statements (30 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: Sinn Féin supports auto-enrolment in principle and has been consistent in advocating for the right auto-enrolment system at the right time. It is important that the scheme is done right and that is why we do not support this Government's version of auto-enrolment and did not support the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill in 2024. There are three main issues with the...

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Motion (25 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: Yes.

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Motion (25 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: Our spokesperson for foreign affairs is not here today. We have his empty chair here. I feel quite a weight here and genuine fear for his safety. The Sinn Féin group have put their names to the amended motion as we do not feel that the Fianna Fáil motion goes far enough on a few points. In particular, I want to mention the final amendment calling for a halting of transportation...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: First, I would like to mention the shocking attacks on the aid flotilla to Gaza today, which is yet another disgraceful breach of international law.This is a humanitarian fleet of over 500 civilian volunteers and it was subjected to co-ordinated attacks in European waters off Crete. Aid is so desperately needed for the starving people in Gaza and everything that can be done must be done to...

Seanad: Mental Health Bill 2024: Second Stage (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: I am really glad to speak on this Bill. I commend the Minister of State on introducing a Bill on mental health. Her passion for mental health reform is really noted. My colleague Senator Nicole Ryan has already laid out why Sinn Féin has some issues with this Bill. I acknowledge the visitors in the Gallery, including my own mammy. I offer my deepest sympathy to the mammy in the...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Embracing Ireland's Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: I had not realised I had to indicate so I am glad I am getting a chance to ask a question. I could not see anything about integrating people with disabilities anywhere in the plans and I am conscious of all abilities being able to use this.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Embracing Ireland's Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: Okay that is fine. It is a requirement. I am from County Laois. We have had massive population growth and we do not have the infrastructure or services or anything to go along with it. We do not seem to be availing of any of the benefits of this. We are an inland community. I would be interested in hearing about Sport Ireland - we have been crying out for funding for sports facilities...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Embracing Ireland's Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: I specifically want to know what we are doing about sporting facilities in Laois and Sport Ireland's involvement here. That is where we are really falling down.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Embracing Ireland's Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: It is falling down. They are using umbrellas with rain coming in through the ceiling.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Embracing Ireland's Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: Completely.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Embracing Ireland's Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: Yes.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Embracing Ireland's Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: I know my time is up. There is a new rural regeneration officer with Laois Partnership Company.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Embracing Ireland's Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: Discussion (24 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: Okay. I will liaise there. Could there be engagement with communities or any way of anything else being added to the pilot scheme? We are really struggling in Laois. I ask the Department to really consider helping to develop this community. We have the largest amount of growth in young people and there are not the facilities for them. These walk trails are great but the young people are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Affordable Housing: Discussion (23 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: I thank everybody for coming in. I am delighted we get to have a session solely on affordable housing because this is the biggest crisis we have at the moment. If you are in a rural community like Laois, it is nearly non-existent. I have two questions. First, Mr. Taaffe mentioned in his opening statement that out of the 31 local authorities, there are 18 that have been identified as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Affordable Housing: Discussion (23 Sep 2025)

Maria McCormack: I am sorry to interrupt Mr. Taaffe but is he saying that if the local authorities submit that they can build or supply more affordable housing, there will be more budget there? The budget is not based on the target.