Results 561-580 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

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

Grace O'Sullivan: I know Senator Murnane O'Connor agrees with what we have and I am so sorry that she cannot support it personally because her party does not support it. I thank Senator Boyhan for his considered contribution to the debate. I thank him for speaking to its actual content and for his appeal to allow it to continue to the next Stage. No Bill is perfect and the process we would like to propose...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 8, Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017, be taken before No. 1.

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: First Stage (2 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move:That leave be granted to introduce Bill entitled an Act to amend the Derelict Sites Act 1990 to increase the levy placed on derelict sites; to ensure the register of derelict sites compiled by a local authority is made publicly available on the local authority’s website; to ensure protection for the rights of older homeowners who have moved into residential care and own a...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: First Stage (2 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Derelict Sites and Underused Spaces: Discussion (1 Feb 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I am a Green Party Senator and this issue - providing homes as quickly as possible in times of crisis - is core to us. I have taken Dr. Sirr's comments on board and I will introduce legislation on vacant and derelict housing in the coming two weeks. It is a crisis. Building in towns and urban regeneration are critical given that, contrary to...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: This morning, we heard the disturbing news that homelessness levels in Ireland have gone above 7,000 for the first time. Some 68% of this homelessness is in Dublin. As the Simon Community report published today reveals, 83% of property in the capital is now priced out of the reach of those on housing benefits such as rent supplement or the housing assistance payment. Home repossessions are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and Mr. Séamas Ó Tuathail, SC (25 Jan 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I have a far easier question for Ms Graham. As Mr. Ó Tuathail said, there is still genuine public concern about Irish Water. I believe a referendum would be appropriate to deal with the question of Irish Water and to engage with the concerns of the public. In terms of a timeline, what would be involved? How would that process take place and how long would it take?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and Mr. Séamas Ó Tuathail, SC (25 Jan 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: I wish everybody a very happy 2017 and I hope we have a good year. Like other Members, I welcome the Government's announcement of the action plan for rural development. Those who will be affected by the plan have been consulted widely. The plan promoted cross-departmental co-operation and has some solid proposals to make it easier for people to continue living and raising families in Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Quarterly Progress Report Strategy for Rented Sector: Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (18 Jan 2017)

Grace O'Sullivan: Action No. 1.19 stated the Government would work "with the Central Bank to ensure that the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears provides a strong consumer protection framework". Has there been any progress on this? Will the code of conduct be voluntary or will there be some mandatory mechanism? Action No. 1.20 stated "We will request the Central Bank to conduct an assessment on existing...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I wish to follow on from Senator Conway-Walsh's remarks. It is shocking what we are seeing in the Dáil Chamber today. The fight is causing greater uncertainty as we go into the Christmas period. I read this morning that people who are homeless are being exposed to violence, drug taking, mould, damp, bed bugs, scabies, blood-stained mattresses, rats and abuse. It is disgraceful that...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: In times of darkness, it was great to see a positive light being shone on Europe recently, with the election of the Austrian President, Alexander 'Sascha' Van der Bellen. On behalf of all of my Green colleagues across Europe, I welcome this great election. Hopefully, other countries will take some lead from Austria so we can work towards a united Europe, as I believe that united we stand,...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: Maybe a tinge.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister, Deputy Naughten, for coming into the House. This is an area of particular interest to me. I do not know if the Minister is as old as I am, but in the mid-1980s I had the opportunity to go to Antarctica, and in 1989 also.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: Even then we were starting to hear of the concept of climate change and the impact it would have on small Pacific nations and also throughout Europe. Here in Ireland, we see it in many shapes and forms. I believe we may be approaching the perfect storm because we have the issue of climate change, which is high on the agenda, Brexit, Mr. Trump becoming President of the United States, and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I was interested to hear Senator McDowell say he felt he was misled. I am very surprised that someone like him would feel misled. Given his many years' experience and professional capability to scrutinise I am shocked to hear that. However, I absolutely support his request for the Minister to come to the House to discuss our inability to curb Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions. I wish to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of UK Referendum on Membership of the European Union on Irish Agrifood and Fisheries Sectors: Discussion (29 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank Mr. Cotter for his presentation. Even though I am not a committee member I wanted to attend here today because I have huge respect for the work of Bord Bia, including its sustainability programme called Origin Green, its work to meet the targets of FoodWise 2025 and the farm to fork initiative. Can we add value here at home before we export? Is there anything that Bord Bia can do...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I second the amendment.