Results 541-560 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

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

Grace O'Sullivan: Okay. I support what Senator Murnane O'Connor has just said regarding the amenity element of the waterways but we should not forget the community of canal dwellers. Senator Murnane O'Connor and I are members of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government which regularly discusses the issue of our housing stock. There are 200 or more people living on the canals...

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

Grace O'Sullivan: There were several references to a briefing between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. I am disappointed that we never had any contact about a briefing. Hopefully, as this Bill proceeds, we might have an opportunity to sit down with the Minister and engage more on Report Stage.

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

Grace O'Sullivan: In the context of fairness, equity and transparency, it would have been a nice gesture if we had been invited.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I ask the Leader to provide specific information to all Senators before 2 p.m. in advance of our consideration of the Heritage Bill 2016 tomorrow. Will the Leader tell us what time the debate on the aforementioned Bill is due to start and how many hours will be devoted to the discussion. I also ask that amendment groupings list be furnished to Senators. On a previous occasion, we did not...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: If the Leader could provide the information I requested in advance of the debate, that will enable us to be prepared.

Seanad: Minimum Custodial Periods upon Conviction for Murder Bill 2017: Second Stage (22 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister. I have consulted with my Civil Engagement colleague, Frances Black, who is a member of the Joint Committee for Justice and Equality. At present in Ireland a murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. However, the length of time served in a prison can vary greatly depending on a range of factors, including the circumstances of the case and the operation of...

Seanad: Annual National Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Yes, we wish to share time.

Seanad: Annual National Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I shall speed-read my presentation. I thank the Minister for attending and for his statement. I was delighted to hear him talk about the marine sector because Ireland's greatest asset in sequestering carbon is our marine environment. It was good to hear him talk about adding value through creating jobs in the forestry and marine sectors. Ireland is doing good work in addressing the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water Supply Project for Eastern and Midlands Region: Irish Water (15 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank Mr. Grant for his presentation. With regard to recent information he gave to the Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, Mr. Grant said he was forced to rethink the water usage calculation after it became evident individual usage is 110 litres per person per day. This is significantly less than what Irish water had originally calculated. What would be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the witnesses. It has been very useful having them here today. In terms of the metering, Mr. Jones mentioned that 50% of people in Wales are metered and 50% are not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Does that mean that 50% are metered and the other 50% are covered by the district metering system?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: What is the advantage of metering? Does it help in getting specific data for business planning? What advantage is there in each household having a meter?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: In terms of business planning is the metering per house of any advantage?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: We will discuss the Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill in the Chamber with the Minister today. I tabled the Bill as a member of the Civil Engagement group and a member of the Green Party. Both groups are motivated by a desire to increase fairness in our society while working with politicians of other parties and none to advance fairness and equity. The Bill is not radical. From speaking to...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, who has been here for quite a long time. The Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017 is designed to address the issue of empty, derelict and undeveloped land being held inactive and unused across the country, at a time of unprecedented crisis in...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: In the time of Michael Davitt's youth, rates of homelessness and destitution in an Ireland far more populated than it is today stood at 11,000 people. Can we stand by and watch as the Ireland of today faces homelessness of almost the equivalent size?

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I re-emphasise that we are still in a crisis. I understand that the Minister is doing everything in his power to deal with the housing and homelessness crisis. However, it is something that continues to evolve. I understand he is doing his best. With regard to our recent debates in the Seanad before Christmas and the changes in legislation, all Acts, even new ones, must be open to...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: She is all talk and we are not getting solutions from her. What we are getting is a load of rubbish. In fairness, it was a load of rubbish. We have done our best on the Bill.

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: To hear that level of-----

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: That was very poor.