Results 41-60 of 133 for speaker:Sarah O'Reilly

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: That is really good and important for local communities but I would note there was a project in my community that got €6 million. That is a lot of taxpayer money in an area that has two community hubs. To put it in context, in that municipal district there is €3.5 million provided for local regional roads while one community centre gets €6.2 million. I do not...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Sarah Montgomery. I cannot imagine the hurt and grief they are experiencing. To think of a young pregnant mother being killed in her own home is deeply upsetting. According to Women’s Aid, more than one in three women have experienced psychological, physical or sexual abuse, or all of these, from an intimate partner. Domestic, sexual...

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: It is great to see all the witnesses here today. Like Deputy Whitmore, I am new to this and I had to do a good bit of research. I read all the witnesses' documentation and submissions yesterday. There are a few very clear themes coming through. There seems to be a deeply held belief that the oversight and regulation is not proportional. The Seafood Ireland Alliance in its submission...

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: In his opening statement, Mr. Lynch said, "Ireland has chosen to put in place legislation that goes far beyond what is in other member states". I want clarity on that because there is a bit of confusion. Is it the legislation or is it the way it is being interpreted? Is it both? I do not understand. If we are the only country in Europe that has penalty points, has that been legislated for?

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Would Mr. Byrne have any proposed amendments?

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I am going to give an example. In the case of, say, a 7g area where somebody might fish for monkfish, would Mr. Byrne generally accept that it is impossible to fish in that area without catching other fish, such as black sole? What can be done? What would Mr. Byrne propose to stop fishermen getting into hassle for catching something? It is never not going to happen.

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion (1 Jul 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: How many proceedings are before the criminal court at the moment?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I second the Senator's proposal. I welcome the announcement by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, that implementation of the national dementia registry is to commence. Organisations such as the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, ASI, have lobbied for it for a long time. The ASI is a brilliant organisation doing great work. It has the voice of people with dementia and those who care...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I want to speak today about the fact that the upgrades to the A5 road, which links Derry with Aughnacloy in County Tyrone, have effectively been cancelled. The project has been quashed by the Belfast High Court as it was in breach of elements of the climate action Act. This is a devastating result for the 57 families who have lost loved ones on a road that we all know to be unsafe. The...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I want to raise the issue of foster children and the back-to-school allowance. This has been publicised by the Government as a new support for foster children but it has been very disappointing for families to learn it will be means tested. It is concerning that this long overdue step will come with conditions attached and will not be universally applied to all foster children. This will...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (19 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: There is no choice but to support this Bill because the Government is aware that many in the Opposition have been calling for an extension to the rent pressure zones for years. However, this legislation is ill thought-out. The reality is that the Government is not being forthcoming in terms of how badly it will impact renters. Rents will rise and extra pressure will be put on renters....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Last night, the Dáil debated the Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill. It was presented as providing for a fair and proportional increase in property tax ahead of the November revaluation. We have to be honest that the tax is fundamentally unjust. It punishes working families, older people and rural homeowners simply for having a roof over their heads....

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Minister for coming in. I commend her colleague, Deputy John McGuinness, on all the brilliant detective work he has done over the years on this issue and on his determination to seek justice for Grace. I am gutted that justice has not been served. In this country we are very good at looking back at historical abuse but one area the State has failed to examine is abuse in the...

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank the Minister of State for coming here today. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic. I want to speak on my amendment No. 2, which has been seconded by Senators Keogan and McCarthy. With looming threats of tariffs to our economy, we need economic resilience. Now would be an opportune time for the Government to invest more in local and indigenous businesses. We...

Seanad: Enterprise Matters and Business Supports for SMEs: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I move amendment No. 2: After the last paragraph under "calls on the Government to:" to insert the following paragraph: “ - develop a funding stream to allow local authorities to deliver fully serviced sites to stimulate local, indigenous enterprise.”

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I thank Ms Barry and Mr. Bowes for coming. They are very welcome. I say "Well done" on the O'Meara case. I have the same questions as everyone else. On the attempts to remove the pension entitlements from divorced and separated people, what was the rationale in the proposed legislation? Was there any legal basis to it? Is there legislation similar to this in other European countries?...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: Okay.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025: Free Legal Advice Centres (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: I raise the proof required to prove someone is in an intimate relationship. Do the witnesses know what that entails? I have no idea. What is it that the Department is looking for?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Effect of Child-related Benefits on Child Poverty and Deprivation: ESRI (18 Jun 2025)

Sarah O'Reilly: On the point of the poverty rate, or the target, it is set by the Irish Government, in the Department. Is there a European target, or how do we compare? Has the ESRI done comparisons with other countries?