Results 441-460 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I formally second the amendment.

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The conclusion of the report is very welcome. The directive principles of the social policy in the Irish Constitution are some of the most positive and engaging elements of the document.It is my belief that their better realisation by Irish Governments would go far in creating a fairer and more equal Republic that the founders of the State envisaged in the Proclamation of 1916. I hope,...

Seanad: Budget 2018: Statements (10 Oct 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: After the budgets of the past few years, some people might be forgiven for welcoming today’s announcements as a relatively happy occasion. There are tax cuts, spending increases, higher payments for social welfare recipients and, as Senator Dolan mentioned, a little for almost everyone in the audience. I would like to start with some positivity, something that is often lacking in...

Seanad: Well-being in Schools: Statements (4 Oct 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. As a Green Party Senator and member of the Civil Engagement group, I have not yet had an opportunity to meet him. I am speaking on behalf of my colleague, Senator Lynn Ruane, who is a member of the Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health and is unable to attend the debate. I will also raise some points of my own. As a mother of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Draft General Scheme of the Building Control (Construction Industry Register Ireland) Bill 2017 (4 Oct 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. Mr. Bradley's was particularly compelling and made very clear the process in terms of transparency and the fact that it is the interaction of the different aspects of it that will make it work most effectively. I want to come back to independence. Ms Spillane mentioned independence in her opening statement and has referred to it again. My...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Draft General Scheme of the Building Control (Construction Industry Register Ireland) Bill 2017 (4 Oct 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: We are in a housing crisis and by all accounts this legislation will be quite robust and positive in terms of standards and consumer protection. That gives me concern. There will be a race to build all those houses that we need to supply to the market. Often people cut corners when under pressure. That is where we must be careful. Do the hubs fall under CIRI? At the moment there is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Draft General Scheme of the Building Control (Construction Industry Register Ireland) Bill 2017 (4 Oct 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Draft General Scheme of the Building Control (Construction Industry Register Ireland) Bill 2017 (4 Oct 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Yes.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister. I concur with Senator Devine. Shame on us all to be here in a great homelessness crisis the legacy of which will be with us for years to come. The 2016 census shows that in the lifetime of the previous Fine Gael-led Government homelessness increased by 81%. In September, the total number of homeless people in the country exceeded 8,000 for the first time....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (28 Sep 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: One of the greatest threats to land supply is the widespread practice of land banking or hoarding. The head of the National Asset Management Agency, Mr. Brendan McDonagh, stated there is enough land available to solve the housing crisis because NAMA has sold land that would support 50,000 houses. Only 3,000 houses or 6% of the potential number have been built. Mr. McDonagh blamed land...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (28 Sep 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Supply is the main problem, but two weeks ago, Dr. Mary Murphy and Dr. Rory Hearne presented their report on investing in the right to a home, housing, the HAP scheme and hubs. I wish to discuss hubs with the Minister. My view is that hubs are not homes, they are an interim solution, but the point that Dr. Murphy made that is that we should not see hubs becoming a long-term solution because...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: It is a pleasure to be back in the House after a busy and productive recess. I add my voice to those of fellow Senators on the transformation of the Chamber. I say well done to all involved and I thank the National Museum for hosting us. However, I echo another sentiment aired yesterday by Senators Alice-Mary Higgins and McDowell. This day next week will be the fourth anniversary of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: -----there is continued resentment of the Seanad's lack of democratic input. The old Seanad Chamber might be undergoing renewal but there is absolutely no sign of a similar renewal for this institution. Senator McDowell's Seanad reform Bill which I was proud to co-sign would invigorate future Seanaid by giving them the democratic mandate and expertise the institution was always meant to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Report: Dr. Mary Murphy and Dr. Rory Hearne, NUI Maynooth (20 Sep 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank Dr. Murphy and Dr. Hearne for their report, Investing in the Right to a Home: Housing, HAPs and Hubs. It is fantastic because it enables debate. It highlights that we continue to be in a serious emergency state with regard to the supply of homes and the social responsibility of the Government. The market forces are not delivering housing with any speed given the crisis we face....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and Dublin Regional Homless Executive (20 Sep 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: We are here to discuss the Rebuilding Ireland policy. All we have heard about is rehousing Ireland, not rebuilding. What steps has the Department put in place to work with local authorities to build social and affordable houses?

Seanad: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move amendment No. 1:In page 4, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:“4. (1) The State, when acting as a Member of the Bank shall— (a) work towards the full respect of human rights in accordance with international law in the operation of the Bank and the financing by it of projects, (b) work towards the achievement of the objectives of the UNFCCC and the Paris...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: On 11 July, one week after a Bill to ban onshore fracking was passed, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment gave consent to Providence Resources to commence drilling for oil in the Porcupine Bank off the coast of Kerry. This is just one of a slew of drilling expeditions recently permitted by the Minister, with the North Celtic Sea basin off the coast of Cork and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I am calling on the Minister to revoke these licences.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I am asking that the Minister come to this House for a debate on revoking the licences and that we follow the lead of France by putting a stop to oil and gas exploration in Irish waters. We need a just transition to a low-carbon economy. We are the laggards of Europe. I want the Minister to come to the House to address this issue.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I wish to speak on amendment No. 1, which is my amendment. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. When I look at the various pillars of Rebuilding Ireland I believe there is a lot of overlap.The need for local authorities to provide social housing has been discussed. Although the Minister of State has outlined the number of units that have been constructed and the...