Results 1,101-1,120 of 1,401 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Code (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving time to the House to debate my Commencement matter that calls for action by the Minister for Finance to increase the affordability and supply of housing for our citizens by introducing tax measures that will address the activities of private investment funds in the housing market. I specifically call for the Minister for Finance to end tax incentives for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Code (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit for his response. I acknowledge that Cabinet is meeting today and that this item is on the agenda and will be addressed. We all must remind ourselves, however, of what the purpose of tax is. The purpose of tax is to raise income to invest in essential community services and supports. In this instance, the tax system is undermining the State's...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Today I wish to remember someone who lived in the Dublin Central constituency. He was a visionary, a leader, a true revolutionary, and an innovator of unparalleled intellect, integrity and modesty. I would like to remember Seán Lemass. He grew up on Capel Street. He attended O'Connell boys' school on the North Circular Road where he was an excellent student. He fought in the GPO in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill: Discussion (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank Councillors Hoade, Sheahan, Fennelly and Anglim, not just for attending our joint Oireachtas committee but for the work they do every day and week throughout the year representing our local authority members. As a former local authority member, I do not want to boast about it, I believe that fighting a local election is often much harder than any other election because one is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill: Discussion (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: If I may, Ms Colgan's microphone is unmuted now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill: Discussion (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Yes, we can.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill: Discussion (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It is great to hear that. I am not at all surprised that the AILG has all the legwork done and I look forward to our being able to provide local authorities with the funding.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill: Discussion (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Does the Chairman not want to let the AILG respond to that question as well?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill: Discussion (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Great. I just did not want to cut the AILG out. I thank Councillors Hoade, Colgan, Sheahan, Fennelly and Anglim. It has been invaluable to have the AILG and LAMA before the committee. It was long overdue. The two Bills are very important. Local authorities were initially established essentially to be housing authorities. The biggest social housing project in a decade is under way and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: This week, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, proposed to Cabinet the most comprehensive affordable housing legislation in the history of the State. It proposes to change the direction of the State's role in the provision of housing in Ireland. This is an important development, not just for Government, but for society at large. We are coming...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate Examinations) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister for joining us. I also thank her for the tremendous work she has done as Minister since taking office. She has brought new energy, creativity, resilience and professionalism to the role and to her Department. It has certainly been noticed by the schools and the education community in the Dublin Central constituency in which I live and across the country. I commend the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank him for coming here to respond to my Commencement matter, which speaks to the need for the Government to provide financial and other supports to the taxi service industry. I congratulate the Minister of State and the Government. Today is a hopeful day. The announcement yesterday was very welcome to all sectors of industry and community...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I welcome his clarification of the situation with regard to the bus lanes. That is an operational matter and it is important that there is clarity around that issue. I also welcome the supports the Minister of State mentioned and the fact that taxi drivers can earn up to €120 a week. However, they cannot do so because there is no...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 and Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2021: Discussion (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister and thank him for coming in. I apologise for being late. I was in my office and thought we were having this meeting on Teams. I would have hated to miss the party. I pay tribute to the former Minister, Eoghan Murphy. I served with him on Dublin City Council and while I disagreed with his politics, I always admired his energy, commitment and enthusiasm for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: The Fianna Fáil group is happy to have only one speaker on each amendment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: We just want to get through it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I advise the committee that we will not support this amendment. We are very anxious to conclude our business today. We are trying to facilitate the completion of the report on the affordable housing Bill so that legislation can be introduced to start to address the housing crisis in a meaningful way, with the provision of affordable housing to rent...