Results 381-400 of 766 for speaker:Pippa Hackett

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: Last week, I attended Ireland's second national biodiversity conference at Dublin Castle. It was greatly encouraging to see the level of engagement from academic experts, voluntary organisations and public servants about how best we can protect, restore and enhance our biodiversity. In his keynote address to the conference, the Taoiseach spoke of a growing realisation that our fortunes as a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horticulture Sector (15 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I assure the Deputy that we certainly accept his concerns and those he has raised for the sector. I am acutely aware of the key importance of the professional horticulture sector and he has highlighted the significant number of jobs and value to our economy. I want to assure him that the Government is working as a priority to assist the horticulture industry in resolving these issues. I...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horticulture Sector (15 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: We have listened to the sector many times over.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Horticulture Sector (15 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he will be aware, extraction of peat for the Irish professional horticultural industry in recent years has been challenging from a legal and regulatory perspective. A series of High Court judgments, beginning in the early 2010s, that dealt with peat extraction and lack of compliance across the extraction sector has generated supply challenges...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. For the month that is in it, I want to talk about Pride in 2022. I recall having an overwhelming sense of pride in my country when Ireland passed the same-sex marriage referendum. After all, love is love. However, seven years on I am prompted to reassess. It is my wedding anniversary today. I have had 21 happy years with Mark. Never once in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Youth Perspectives on Climate Challenges: Discussion with Foróige and Comhairle na nÓg (3 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Chairperson, Deputy Leddin, and the Cathaoirleach, Senator Daly. I welcome Deputy Leddin and his Dáil colleagues to the Upper House of the Oireachtas, and we get a kick out of doing so. Today is an historic day in the Seanad and I appreciate being part of it. I thank the Chairperson and his committee colleagues for arranging this meeting and making it happen. I thank...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Roads Projects (2 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator for his question. He is right that I am familiar with this stretch of road. As he is aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in regard to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with TII, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Roads Projects (2 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: It is good to be the bearer of some positive news, which is not always possible when there are particular difficulties. I am glad the Senator is happy with the response and that he recognises the positive and proactive measures that have been undertaken. Approximately €51.6 million has been allocated to the N5 upgrade. It is a significant project and it is important that it be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ports Facilities (2 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank Senator Buttimer for his Commencement matter. The Port of Cork is currently a designated border control post, BCP, approved for container shipments of wood and wood products. Inspections take place at the Tivoli container terminal near Cork city where there is a leased Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine office and inspection room, where unloading bays have been shared...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ports Facilities (2 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator and can see the passion he has for this issue. I am sure the Port of Cork welcomes his support for its submission. The issue is still under consideration. I cannot say whether it is ruled in or out. It is still open and the submission from the Port of Cork seems justifiable. The Senator's pleas for it to happen are justified. We are continuing to analyse the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (2 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator for raising this issue today. On 19 January, the Government announced a Covid-19 recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise the unique role they played during the pandemic. The payment will not be subject to income tax, USC or PRSI. The measure will be ring-fenced to staff who worked ordinarily on-site in Covid-19 exposed...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (2 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I share the Senator's frustrations. I assure him that all those eligible will receive their payments, though I accept that it has not been very quickly delivered. Department of Health officials are working hard to roll this payment out as soon as possible and the Minister looks forward to this progressing very shortly. Getting back to the original point about recognising that so many...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: Today marks the start of Bord Bia Bloom 2022 in the Phoenix Park. It provides a fantastic opportunity for people to engage with nature, gardening and biodiversity. Bloom is open from today until bank holiday Monday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. It is to be hoped there will be plenty of opportunity for people to attend and enjoy the show. This year's show incorporates 19 show gardens...

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I thank the Senators who have contributed. I welcome the visitors to the Gallery and acknowledge their genuine passion to protect Apis mellifera mellifera. On behalf of the Government, I acknowledge also Senators' commitment to protecting the native Irish honeybee. Clearly, the support across the House is stark; it is across all parties and none....

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Pippa Hackett: Well done.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 May 2022)

Pippa Hackett: The window we have for climate action, especially in the midlands, is very exciting. It is an opportunity for us to define our identity for decades ahead.It is imperative for us in government to bring people along the way as we do this. Henry Ford's combustion engine drove the transport revolution in Ireland in the early 20th century. It led to a move from horses to cars that were available...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 May 2022)

Pippa Hackett: As a representative from the midlands, it has been a very busy few weeks in my office. Many people have been in touch to say they must burn turf to warm their homes. People with turbary rights have been in touch concerned that they were at risk of criminalisation. This narrative fuelled by some who should know better. My office has replied to the majority, outlining my position, and where...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Apr 2022)

Pippa Hackett: In February I welcomed my Green Party colleague, the Minister, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, to Portlaoise to unveil a powerful Pride mural on Lyster Square to mark one year of the midlands LGBT+ project. After the Laois launch in summer 2021, Midlands LGBT+ Project identified the huge need for similar support for people in Offaly, Kildare and beyond. In response to this the group has expanded...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Apr 2022)

Pippa Hackett: Members of the LGBT+ community have the right to feel safe and be safe in their homes, on our streets and online. Research by the Hate and Hostility Research Group, HHRG, at University of Limerick, identified that one in five of those surveyed had been punched, hit or physically attacked in public for being LGBT+ and one in three had been threatened with physical violence. We must change...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation and the Forestry Sector: Discussion (13 Apr 2022)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Chair. It is good to be here this morning. I am joined by Mr. Barry Delany, director of forestry, and Mr. Kevin Collins from the environment section. I thank the Chair and the committee for the invitation to address them today. I acknowledge the committee's continuing interest in forestry. I certainly welcome the opportunity to update members on progress in implementing the...