Results 4,641-4,660 of 4,932 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Projects (9 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I welcome the Minister of State. The European Commission recently circulated proposals for revising the Renewable Energy Directive. The proposals recommend ending the EU production of all crops-based biofuels. If enacted the proposals will have a disastrous impact on farming and on rural jobs across Europe and in Ireland and they will destroy efforts to revive the Irish sugar industry....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Projects (9 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. I am disappointed that the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, cannot be here. It is important to emphasise that European farmers, through the COPA, have rejected the proposals from the Commission. I know all about it as I live in Carlow town where the sugar factory was one of the biggest employers. It is crucial to revive the Irish sugar industry for the sake...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Announcement on Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (9 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with all previous speakers today. I want to express my most sincere sympathy to all those affected by the mother and baby homes. This deeply saddening discovery confirms our worst suspicion about mother and baby homes. It shows the importance of the ongoing commission of investigation. This is across Ireland. The sadness here today is evident. There is such sadness in the Seanad...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with the previous speakers on the mother and baby home in Tuam and the Magdalen laundries. It is absolutely shocking. Accountability is needed because this is devastating for families. To bring it up today is heart wrenching. I also wish to speak on rural Ireland. For the past few weeks, we have been hearing that there is so much extra work available and that is welcome, but it is...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: He may come back in again-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: ----- because he did not announce that up to 80 rural post offices may be closed. That is unacceptable. I want the Minister to come to the House to address this matter today or, if not today, first thing in the morning. This announcement is unacceptable and I seek clarification on it. A report was published that one in ten children lives in poverty; it is now 2017 and we are told we are...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is all in the newspapers.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: All right. I shall table a Commencement matter.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Accommodation (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. At this stage, she is probably fed up listening to me talk about the few issues I constantly raise. I am always bringing the Minister of State back because I firmly believe that there is no follow-up. When a Minister comes to the Chamber and we receive the answer, there is no follow-up from the health boards or the Department of Health. That is a major issue...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Accommodation (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes, I have not.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Accommodation (2 Mar 2017)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. She has always been most courteous in the House. I probably have her tormented. Anyway, this is a good news story for Carlow. I thank the Minister of State. I am delighted with this good news. You are right, a Chathaoirligh. It is a question of the follow-up. I am constantly bringing up matters but I am not getting much feedback.

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...