Results 4,621-4,640 of 4,899 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wish to comment on the hedgerows and whatever. My colleague, Senator Daly, has summed it up. Fianna Fáil is here to offer support. It is about give and take. It is a question of balance. I have represented this issue from the local authority side. People would have come to me about various issues related to tree-cutting and hedges and so on. Two issues arise. We need to get a...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: They do not need to be.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wish to agree with the previous speakers, particularly Senator Ó Domhnaill. There is so much confusion. This is about the people who use the canals. The Barrow runs through my own area. We have had massive meetings about the Barrow walk, as it is known. An issue I have had for years is that between Waterways Ireland, the OPW and local authorities, there is nobody responsible for...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: In reference to the canals, and I am familiar with the Barrow in my own area, it seems that nobody has overall responsibility, whether it be Waterways Ireland, the Office of Public Works or the local authorities. Going forward, this must be sorted out. If one wants to cut a tree down along the river Barrow, one is not allowed to do so. No one will take responsibility. In terms of the...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister for setting up the meeting. It is important. I hope it happens as soon as the Minister can manage it. For me, it is important to relay this information to the people I represent, as is the need to find a balance.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Carlow is one of the areas that will be most affected by the fee, if it is introduced, of €150 after the five day rule. When I read the Bill again I was very disappointed to note that there is no reference to tourism. I have said previously to the Minister that if I look for a sign to get to the River Barrow, I cannot find one yet tourism is not referenced in this Heritage Bill. The...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: -----but they are areas on which we need to work. They are being neglected, and we are not promoting them. We need to work with every local authority to promote our areas. Carlow, Laois and other areas are badly affected. Imposing a fine is not good enough. In Carlow town, we have the most beautiful town park in the country. Boats moor there in the summer, which is great for us. People...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We all read the newspaper article about the little girl, Ava, who is looking for medical cannabis. I want to give my support to her mother, Vera, and the family. It is disgraceful that this little girl, who has dozens of seizures daily, is not getting medical cannabis and the Minister needs to step in and give it to her. Medical cards are one of the biggest issues here. Senators all face...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services Provision (22 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome the Minister of State. This is the third time I have raised this on the Commencement and he has responded on two occasions. In 2005, Tir na nOg opened with ten children to meet the demand for respite care in Carlow and the surrounding area. Eleven years later, 42 children were using the weekend respite service with a waiting list of more than 30 children. The centre was located...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services Provision (22 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am so disappointed by this reply. We are 14 months on. This has gone to tender but the HSE will not say where the site is. The least officials could do is tell the people of Carlow-Kilkenny where it is. Everything is top secret, which is unacceptable. The Holy Angels accommodation is in prefabs. A new school was promised five years ago with a €5 million contract. The reason...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Respite Care Services Provision (22 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (21 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wish to speak to the Minister of State about a school in Carlow. This is the third issue relating to a school that I have raised in recent months concerning schools for children with disabilities. I will explain the situation to the Minister of State, whom I am sure has investigated the matter. Saplings Carlow is a special school for children with autism and complex needs. In 2007 a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (21 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I compliment the board of management, which is doing an excellent job. It has looked for accommodation but the current bungalow is not fit for purpose. The board of management and the Department should seek a new premises immediately. It is very difficult to find a suitable premises for the children's needs. This is urgent. I ask the Minister of State to ask the Minister for Education...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wish to raise two issues. I wish to raise the same issue as my colleague about the homelessness crisis. The Minister is not listening. I can genuinely say that every few weeks I raise housing and he is not listening. In 2015 to 2016 there was a 50% increase in homelessness while at the same time the number of vacant properties is 260,000. I had a family in my clinic during the week....

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: On a point of order, a Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: That is unacceptable. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, told us things would get better-----

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: -----but they are worse.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Blaming Fianna Fáil is wrong. The Leader must let that go.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Fine Gael has been in government for six years and it should take responsibility.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: What about Carlow, Kilkenny and other areas?