Results 401-420 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Seanad: World AIDS Day: Statements (30 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I pay tribute to Senator Norris, the longest serving member of the Seanad, and Senator Warfield, the youngest Member of the Seanad, who have both been the strongest advocates of justice and rights for groups facing AIDS and HIV. I compliment them on their work in the Seanad. World AIDS Day has been a sombre occasion of commemoration and remembrance since its beginning in 1988. It has also...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (29 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (29 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I very much support the Minister's initiative with regard to dialogue, building awareness, engagement and motivation among the peoples of Ireland with regard to climate change. As has been stated here today, it is the issue of our time. A number of people have mentioned that it is a great challenge. The Minister indicated we are a small nation but we can really take leadership in the area...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (29 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The colleague of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, was here this afternoon. I had a little eureka moment listening to both Ministers because the word "challenge" has been used the whole time today. Climate change is the greatest opportunity this country will ever have. Another word used today was...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I would like to extend my best wishes to former Senator Landy, who tendered his resignation today. Denis was a great support to me when I became an elected Member of Seanad Éireann. I will speak briefly on the resignation of the former Tánaiste, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and the latest political crisis that has threatened the stability of the country at a crucial time as we head...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I fully support Deputy Cowen's Bill. The one-stop shop streamlining is well in order. The Bill is timely, given that we are in a housing supply crisis and that we have so much vacant stock around the country, not only here in Dublin. Regarding the conservation aspect, I lived in the Netherlands for nine years, and one sees in streetscapes in Amsterdam or any of the other large cities that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Did Deputy Cowen consult retailers who have vacant space about their shop area?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Were they welcoming of the provision in this Bill? Did they see any downsides to the provisions in the Bill?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I feel a sense of frustration when reading the witnesses' brief. The working group has met twice. It would be good for this committee to get an update on its work. Ms Neary spoke about fire safety certificates and disability access certificates and said dispensation and relaxation are also being developed. Everything is being developed but there is a housing supply crisis. We see the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: On 11 July last, just one week after onshore fracking was banned in Ireland, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, granted consent to Providence Resources PLC to commence drilling for oil in the Porcupine Basin off the coast of Kerry. This is one of a slew of drilling operations which the Minister has recently permitted, with the north Celtic...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (16 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I join with the statements of my colleagues on the hard work that our local government representatives do. County and city councillors put in a phenomenal amount of work to represent their constituents, create a better standard of life in their areas and support and strengthen their communities. They do this sometimes in a difficult political climate and without much compensation for their...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2017: Second Stage (9 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I wish to acknowledge the great work of Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh, who really was a superb Chairman in the face of adversity. It was a very difficult task and long hours were put in. I know he personally went over and above the call of duty. I agree with one aspect of the presentation by my colleague, Senator Ó Clochartaigh....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Finance: Discussion (9 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. I acknowledge the work of the local authority members, particularly those from my region of Waterford, Councillor Damien Geoghegan and his colleagues. I also acknowledge the role of the CEOs. The CEO in Waterford, Michael Walsh, is doing an incredible job. The problem we have in Waterford is we are not recognised as part of a region....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Finance: Discussion (9 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I have a question for both witnesses, starting with Ms Larkin. She discussed public accountability and stated that the public could access "the annual financial statement, records and other documents relating to the accounts". Where will the public find that information?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Finance: Discussion (9 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Will that also be online?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Finance: Discussion (9 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: That is great. In terms of risk-based auditing, will Ms Larkin give an example of two key risks facing authorities?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Finance: Discussion (9 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The National Oversight and Audit Commission, NOAC, just appeared before us. What is the Local Government Audit Service's, LGAS, relationship with it? Is there a crossover of some responsibilities?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Finance: Discussion (9 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank Ms Larkin. My next question is for Mr. Lemass. He referred to grants, subsidies and the six broad programme categories. The last category is discretionary and another is housing. We have discussed the housing crisis and the need for more funding for local authority housing, affordable housing and supply generally. I am curious about the word "discretionary". A word like that...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move amendment No. 52:In page 5, line 9, after “products,” to insert “generally and in relation to children,”.