Results 621-640 of 669 for speaker:Grace O'Sullivan

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: On a point of clarification, the Minister stated "I welcomed the decision taken by the DAA to proceed with the development of a second runway at Dublin Airport." Does that mean there will not be a third runway?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Second Stage (16 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: It is great to see the Minister in the House again. Unlike my colleague, Senator Coffey, I believe we need to build units urgently in the right way and not at any cost. I welcome the Bill but we need to be careful to make the planning system work better. Making it work efficiently and effectively is a priority. We have a huge backlog of permitted housing units that have not been brought...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2015 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (10 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I welcome the increase in funding for tourism. It is good that all of my colleagues here in the Seanad today are welcoming this Bill. The Minister of State says tourism is a growing sector and a key contributor to the overall economy, both of which it is. It creates jobs and generates earnings in communities throughout Ireland, particularly in rural areas. I am from the south-east region,...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move amendment No. 1:In page 3, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:“(5) The Roads Acts of 1993 and the Roads Act of 2007 may be cited together as the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007.”. I thank the Minister for coming to the House. We are discussing the Heritage Bill, yet I understand a primary concern for most people is the issue of road safety. I am tabling this...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: What the Minister is saying is an absolute disgrace in terms of sustainability and biodiversity. I am also from a rural area outside of Dublin. The Minister is missing the point on this because hedgerows are part of our culture and part of a tradition going back to the late 1600s in Ireland. The Minister is proposing to do a pilot study in months that have never been part of the provision,...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: The first thing I wanted to do was look at the report as a result of that to get information but there is no report. I have heard from NGOs that the Minister has not been available over the last two years to discuss this issue with them. She has made herself available to other agencies but not to people who are also stakeholders. These people represent more than 25,000 people who have...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: It is regressive. It is bad for the environment, farmers, the landscape and the people of Ireland and I ask all Senators not to let it go forward until we get more convincing information. I want Senators, having listened to the Minister, to be convinced that what the Minister is proposing is worth supporting. The Bill is not worth supporting and I ask Senators to take their time on it and...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 8, Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016 – First Stage, be taken before No. 1.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: First Stage (27 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to prohibit the sale or manufacture of products containing plastic micro-beads; to monitor and report on the levels of micro-plastic and micro-bead pollution on Irish coastlines, Irish waters, flora and fauna, and at Natura 2000 sites; and to provide for related matters.

Seanad: Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill 2016: First Stage (27 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: On Tuesday next or as soon as possible thereafter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Annual Report and Accounts of An Bord Pleanála for 2015 (27 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I thank Dr. Kelly for coming before the committee. I have a few questions. Senator Boyhan brought up the question of transparency. It does seem to be a weakness, particularly in the area of the strategic infrastructure development, that the public does not seem to be able to access information in a timely fashion to be able to make an input. As Senator Boyhan says, that people have to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Annual Report and Accounts of An Bord Pleanála for 2015 (27 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I am not too sure.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Annual Report and Accounts of An Bord Pleanála for 2015 (27 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: That is okay, but if Dr. Kelly can comment, it would be very useful. With regard to planning fees, currently €20 goes to the local councils. What will be An Bord Pleanála's fee?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Annual Report and Accounts of An Bord Pleanála for 2015 (27 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: What does An Bord Pleanála see as its role, if any, in the appointment of the planning regulator? Have the witnesses had any discussions with the Minister or has any information about this come to them?

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I move an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 8, the Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill, be taken before No. 1 today. We see the impact of plastic waste on our marine ecosystems in the rivers and oceans of the world. This plastic is filling habitats and demonstrates a careless disposal of waste. Most shocking of all, these little plastic beads, which are...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: Yes, I have reached an accommodation with the Leader. I will agree a date with him.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: If that is the proper procedure in order to accept a date with the Leader.

Seanad: Agricultural Prices and Decision by UK to Leave EU: Statements (25 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I would like to voice my concerns over the jobs in the agrifood sector in particular. Like many of my colleagues, I will focus on the mushroom industry, which seems to be most impacted on at this stage. The Irish mushroom industry is the fifth largest in the EU. Irish mushroom growers rely on the UK for 80% of exports, representing €120 million in farm-gate income, twice the value...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Second Stage (19 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: I commend Senator Mark Daly on his tireless work on this campaign. From the day we came in as new Senators, he was badgering for the cause, and fair dues to him. He had the top-down approach. I also commend all the pupils from Bishopstown Community School and all the other schools and all the other activists who have worked tirelessly to push and promote the rights of the Irish deaf...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2016)

Grace O'Sullivan: EU trade ministers will meet in Luxembourg next Tuesday, 18 October to decide whether to support the provision application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, if she has taken into account the motion passed in the Seanad on 5 October which called on the Government...