Results 41-60 of 97 for speaker:Nessa Cosgrove

Committee on Transport: National Transport Authority: Engagement (28 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: The western rail corridor is the other one. Even this morning, Deputy Daly raised the fact that we will incur billions in fines if we do not reach our climate targets. The opening up of the western rail corridor is a no-brainer. We talk a lot about balanced regional development. I would, as part of this transport committee, include the Claremorris-to-Collooney route. It is only 75 km. I...

Seanad: Local Democracy Task Force: Statements (27 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I welcome the Minister of State. I would also welcome the establishment of a task force. As other Senators have said, recent research into the role of a 21st-century councillor carried out by the AILG revealed, as any of us who have had the privileged position of being an elected county councillor, as I was for a short time on Sligo County Council, will know, that the role is multifaceted....

Committee on Children and Equality: Business of Joint Committee (22 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I wish the Chair well. It is great to see a female in the position of Cathaoirleach. There are more females on this committee than males, which is probably indicative of the workforce in the early years sector. The caring sectors are predominantly female. Part of our work will be to examine the gender pay gap. It is important that the committee discusses that. Ten years after the...

Seanad: Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025: Second Stage (21 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: The Minister is very welcome. I am delighted to support the Bill introduced by my Sinn Féin colleagues. The idea that socioeconomic disadvantage is inherited is not a new or radical idea. A 2022 report from the ESRI indicates, "Past research strongly indicates that individuals who experience poverty in childhood face an increased risk of experiencing poverty as adults." To state the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I, too, commend my colleague Senator Stephenson on bringing this forward. I wish to speak about healthcare workers and read out the names of just five nurses who have been killed: Omar Khorsheed, Mohammed Lubbad, Mohammed Al Azzaiza, Ahmed Moshtaha and Somaya Temeraz. We have all said that the people of Gaza are at very risk of extermination. The UN said two hours ago that 14,000 babies,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Driving Test Waiting Times: Statements (20 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: As all previous speakers said, the current waiting times for driving tests are unacceptably long. This is having a very real impact on the lives of young people. I will not repeat what other Senators have said. Young people in rural constituencies like mine are unable to leave home, whether to go to college or work, because of the scarcity of town centre housing and its cost.The expansion...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (14 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I thank the Minister for taking this Commencement matter this week as it is a matter of urgency. As the Minister knows, farmers are required to sign and submit their basic income support scheme forms by tomorrow, Thursday, 15 May, to be entitled to receive their annual payments from the Department of agriculture. Part of this submission is a declaration that the farmer is compliant with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (14 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I thank the Minister for his reply. I knew there was a lot of progress on it since 30 April. I am delighted. However, there is still uncertainty among the farmers I represent. If the deadline for submissions is tomorrow, can something be addressed tonight? I know the Minister has only recently taken over his brief. Is there some way there will be a guarantee so people do not feel they...

Seanad: National Biodiversity Week: Statements (14 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I will not even need five minutes. The Minister of State is very welcome. I take this opportunity to give praise to my colleague Senator Noonan. I am delighted he is part of our group because, as Minister of State, he placed biodiversity and the threat of biodiversity loss firmly on the agenda within policies. His legacy will always be there and I thank him for that. Other speakers...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (7 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: The Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, is very welcome. Imagine going to the GP for a routine check-up, the equivalent of a national car test, NCT, when you reach a milestone birthday. The GP measures and weighs you, takes your blood pressure and temperature and listens to your pulse. It is, I assume, a thorough examination. The GP reassures you. Everything is clear and you...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (7 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: The Minister of State's final comment on expanding the age range for mammograms and the introduction of a breast density check was good news, but this is a matter of urgency. As I outlined in those stories, six months for a diagnosis can make a significant difference. I know that there is a review. I invite the Minister of State and the Minister for Health to a briefing we are having in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: Last Friday I met with representatives from the Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon IFA. These farmers wanted to draw attention to a number of serious matters that are potentially impacting on their ability to continue farming. The most pressing issue of all, and the reason I need to raise this today, is that farmers are required to sign and submit their basic income support scheme payment forms...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion (7 May 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I commend the motion. I am delighted we are having this discussion. Where I live in Sligo, the Atlantic Technological University, ATU, is fantastic. It has become a technical university. It is a huge investment into the area and we are all very proud of it. On transport infrastructure, I raise the issue of connectivity between all the ATU campuses - Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. If...

Seanad: Protection of Retail Workers Bill 2025: Second Stage (30 Apr 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I welcome the Minister to the House. I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for bringing this Bill forward. As a party that always stands up for workers, the Labour Party welcomes the Bill and the sentiment of it. It is poignant that it is union week, and it is coming up to May Day. I am proud to say that my Labour Party colleague Ruairí Quinn brought in a public holiday on 1 May to celebrate...

Seanad: Diverting Young People from Criminal Activity: Statements (30 Apr 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I welcome the Minister of State. I have worked as a professional youth worker for the past 25 years. This is an area close to my heart. As Senator Kelleher said, mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. These are children we are talking about. I do not think anyone wakes up in the morning and says, "Do you know what, I am going to get involved in crime." If we review the statistics of...

Seanad: Revised National Planning Framework: Motion (29 Apr 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I move amendment No. 1: To insert the following after “That Seanad Éireann”: “, subject to a clear prohibition on the development of a Liquid Natural Gas terminal,”. While generally perceived as a document which sets the agenda for accelerated housing delivery, the draft revised national planning framework is concerned with all aspects of life, including...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (9 Apr 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. World Down Syndrome Day took place on 21 March and many of us will have celebrated in all our constituencies with wonderful music and dance. There were performances celebrating World Down Syndrome Day, and I was fortunate to attend a wonderful event in Sligo Town Hall. When I was there, I spoke to the mother of a young person, Constance....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (9 Apr 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I thank the Minister of State. It is really good to hear such a positive response. With regard to delays in treatment, parents and experts are saying that if it is not treated within the first 18 months, the delays in treatment can lead to irreversible and permanent regression in people.From speaking with parents of children who are displaying symptoms of Down's syndrome regression...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2025)

Nessa Cosgrove: I raise the issue of dense breast tissue. Marian Lovett was an extremely talented and much loved art curator and mother. I was never lucky enough to meet Marian who raised her family along with her life partner Shane in a rural part of County Sligo. Anyone who knew or met her spoke about her personal qualities and she was a fierce advocate for social justice.Marian passed away last autumn...