Results 461-480 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Seanad: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister of State. The Bill is very welcome. It is good to see Ireland engaging in the global challenge of providing the infrastructure for sustainable development and co-operation with a wide range of other countries. It is in line with our policy for international development and our commitments to human rights and climate justice. However, Ireland’s strong...

Seanad: Report of Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and I wish her well in her new brief. I echo Senator Mac Lochlainn's point regarding the importance of the fisheries sector in terms of Brexit. I commend and applaud Senator Richmond on the excellent job he did as Chairman of the committee. I had the pleasure of substituting for Senator Black at the last meeting and I thought his leadership...

Seanad: Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I apologise that I was late arriving to this meeting. I commend Senator Reilly's Bill. The Green Party very much supports the Bill. I have nothing to add other than full support. As Senator Reilly knows, my own daughter who is 26 is on the autism spectrum. She was born in the Netherlands where we got great support and great services. This Bill is going quite some way in achieving that...

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: It is great to see the Minister back in the House. I am an absolute lover of all sport and this is a huge economic and social opportunity for the State, but it is also a huge opportunity to engage in role modelling. When our great heroes go out on the pitch - it is always a great time and very emotive - younger children aspire. That is why it is wonderful we have an opportunity to bring an...

Seanad: Household Waste Charges: Statements (5 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister. I will not do what my party leader, Deputy Eamon Ryan, just did in the Dáil Chamber and pull out a bag of plastic to show the Minister the types of plastic we are finding in our environment and which are contributing to waste. To put it in context, the world created and used 480 billion plastic bottles last year. If we think about it, that is a staggering...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Finance for Social Housing: Irish League of Credit Unions (Resumed) (5 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I have a few questions. I am sorry I was late. I hope these questions are appropriate. I share the concerns of my colleagues. I, too, would like to know why there has been a delay and what exactly the problem is. In addition, why is the proposed financing of social housing by the credit unions limited to tier 3 approved housing bodies? I had thought it would be prudent to start at tier...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Finance for Social Housing: Irish League of Credit Unions (Resumed) (5 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Mr. Corr provided a chronology of events since 2011. In terms of the timeline, it is a little frustrating that he expects to be able to deliver something by the end of the year. Can he be more specific?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Finance for Social Housing: Irish League of Credit Unions (Resumed) (5 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I would also like to see a timeline because we have a crisis here. I too am a member of the credit union and I think that this is a fantastic opportunity for the movement to get involved in an area that would support the community, which is part of the credit union ethos. The Central Bank published a consultation paper on 11 May where it set out potential additional investment classes for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Finance for Social Housing: Irish League of Credit Unions (Resumed) (5 Jul 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I understand that the demographic using credit unions tends to be an older one. When it comes to timing, I would really like to see this measure proceed as quickly as possible because the signal it sends out to the public is a very positive one. This idea of the credit union offering investment funding to the AHBs would appeal to the younger demographic because these are the very people who...

Seanad: National Housing Co-operative Bill 2017: Second Stage (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I express a huge "thank you" to Senator David Norris for spearheading the Bill. It shows once again his humanitarian and caring nature and activist role. I also recognise the work done by Deputy John McGuinness who is in the Visitors Gallery. I thank all of the housing and citizens' groups which have supported Senator David Norris in his wish to bring forward the Bill. This is a housing...

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move amendment No. 1:In page 4, line 14, to delete “both.”.” and substitute the following:“both. Prohibition of exploration, extraction or exploitation of petroleum 5D.(1) National land and waters should be managed for the benefit of the people of Ireland to avoid the dangerous impacts of climate change and promote a rapid and just transition to clean energy....

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: She has not yet arrived.

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The Minister of State is most welcome. I addressed this matter during the Second Stage debate. What Ireland and the rest of the developed world needs to recognise is the contradiction in our energy policies. On the one hand, we are signing up to international agreements to cut greenhouse gas emissions, while, on the other, signing oil, gas and coal exploration licences. In the Paris...

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I have great respect and admiration for the work of Deputy Tony McLoughlin. Today marks a big victory for the island of Ireland and beyond. Nevertheless, as Senator Higgins outlined, my sense is that we are talking about a global issue. Will the Minister of State consider requesting that the EPA would conduct the similar study for offshore fracking as for onshore fracking? However, one...

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: This is a great day, and huge congratulations to Deputy McLoughlin for all his work and his efforts, and his bravery, as Senator Leyden observed, in taking a Private Member's motion like this, and getting the support around him of the local and wider communities for it. It is one of those days where one sees the ripple effect that it has on communities across Ireland. Senator Leyden...

Seanad: University Hospital Waterford Cardiology Services: Statements (27 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: The tragic death of Thomas Power has shown us that we cannot wait any longer - not for another review, not for another mobile cath lab that should already have been delivered by now, and not for more excuses. People have died and more will die unless the Government takes action necessary to deliver a safe and adequate health care system to the region. I have been talking to public...

Seanad: University Hospital Waterford Cardiology Services: Statements (27 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: We need it on a 24-7 basis.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Resumed) (27 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Could we have a timeline on the vacant housing re-use strategy? Mr. McCarthy also spoke about vacant commercial units. Could we also have a timeline on new planning regulations to allow change of use?

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I am delighted to stand here today to support Deputy Tony McLoughlin's prohibition of onshore hydraulic fracking Bill. I also congratulate the Minister of State on his reappointment and his new ministerial role and assure him that the Green Party is looking forward to working with him to ensure the future health and sustainability of our country and, indeed, our planet. I believe we are...

Seanad: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016: Second Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: This is an issue that is very important to my heart and I would like a longer time to debate it. The Bill is to be welcomed and I am delighted to see the Minister of State here today.