Results 1,021-1,040 of 1,350 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: Right to Housing: Motion (4 Jun 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Please do not talk down my time.

Seanad: Right to Housing: Motion (4 Jun 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I apologise. I really was not aware. Senator Warfield is correct. He was here and did put forward amendments. Those amendments were debated and the Minister of State, my party and other parties engaged in those debates. When the time came to vote on the actual Bill, the Opposition called a vote and Sinn Féin would not appoint tellers so its Members would not have to vote. That is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It has been a long and hard year for all of us. There has been little good news. However, I acknowledge the good news that has been the vaccination programme. More than 50% of the population have received their first dose of a vaccine and 300,000 doses were administered last week. There is an expectation that a further 2 million doses will be administered by the end of June. All of that...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: In terms of this amendment it is important we do not confuse ourselves, or anyone watching, as to what is being proposed. The Member from Sinn Féin has spoken and articulated the challenge facing working people in this city in trying to buy their own home. It is a terrible reality and one which this Government is legislating to change. The primary objective of the legislation, as...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I stated facts.

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I would like the Minister of State to respond. I understand Senator Higgins's legitimate concern. We are all concerned that the price of housing is unaffordable and that is what this legislation is about. The Government is changing the laws so we can deliver affordable homes. The Government will use all of the State's resources, including land and assets, to deliver affordable homes....

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: There-----

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I have tabled an amendment to this section and I would like clarification on whether it will be discussed now. The amendment tabled by Senator Warfield speaks to the Government's objective of trying to have not-for-profit State-led and State-sponsored provision of affordable housing. I ask the Minister of State to give strong consideration to accepting this exact wording, or certainly to...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It will add confidence to the Opposition with regard to its concerns about the Government's intentions. We will speak to it when we get to it.

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I also appeal to Senator Warfield to withdraw this amendment. I believe the Senator understands the housing crisis. His friends are affected by it and I believe they would want every power and asset of the State to be used to help them secure an affordable home. If this amendment is made, it will curtail the powers of the Land Development Agency, which is being established as a statutory...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Several important issues have been raised with regard to increasing the affordable supply and the proposal from Senator Higgins on public-public partnerships. This is all about the State taking the lead in the provision of affordable housing. When debating the previous amendment, the indication from the Minister of State was on expanding it from local authorities to NGOs and not-for-profit...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: The purpose of Senator Warfield's amendment is to replace the words "counteract undue segregation in housing between persons of different social backgrounds" with "promote sustainable mixed income communities". I agree with two points that have been made. The existing language makes me uncomfortable but we are all uncomfortable with it on foot of the historical situation. The legacy of the...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I move amendment No. 15: In page 8, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “(6) In performing its functions under subsections (1)and(5), a housing authority shall— (a) prepare and publish plans relating to periods of three, five and ten years (in this section referred to as a “housing authority affordable housing plan”) which shall...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I am disappointed that the Minister of State is not accepting the amendment as is but I welcome the fact that he accepts the thrust of it. It is obvious there was unanimous support in the Chamber. This is a practical amendment that will greater strengthen the legislation. I, too, welcome the housing need and demand assessment. It is a long overdue tool. I am delighted that it is in...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (28 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I withdraw my amendment on the basis that the Minister of State will incorporate it in the next Stages.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: This day three years ago, a majority of voters voted to amend Bunreacht na hÉireann to repeal the eighth amendment and make abortion services freely, legally and safely available for women. Following on from that in 2018, the legislation was introduced and in 2019, abortion and the termination of early pregnancy became legally and safely available to women. It has worked for many women...

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (24 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate him again on his role as having responsibility for heritage. I concur with Senator Garvey that he has brought great energy and enthusiasm and insight to the area of heritage which is what we need. We have a very rich heritage, built and natural, and I have full confidence that he as Minister of State in the Department will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I had indicated. My hand is up.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I think Billie Sparks is here for the Labour Party but I did not hear the Chairman mention her so I acknowledge her presence and thank her for attending.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I knew it was just an oversight. We are used to Deputy Ó Broin being a member of the committee and now he is appearing as a witness. How does that work? Does he ask himself questions and then answer them? What happens here?