Results 101-120 of 369 for at speaker:Chris Andrews

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (8 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: The national sports policy clearly includes a commitment to carry out a nationwide audit of sports facilities, whether publicly or privately owned. Despite the commitment, little or no progress has been made at Government level. Last November, a temporary stand at a League of Ireland match was evacuated due to wear and tear. League of Ireland club infrastructure is way below where it...

Protection of Cash as Legal Tender: Motion [Private Members] (8 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Rural Independent Group for bringing this really important motion forward. For many people, particularly those at risk of poverty who budget with cash, moving to a cashless society is a huge concern. It shows a disconnect between Government and many big businesses, such as Ryanair, and ordinary people, particularly older people and people at risk of poverty. The GAA is...

Future of Regional Pre-Hospital Emergency Care: Motion [Private Members] (1 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Regional Group for bringing this motion. I heard the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, say last night that Sinn Féin believed front-line staff were failing. We do not believe front-line staff are failing; we believe the Government has failed. The Government has failed paramedics and front-line health workers and it has failed in housing and in protecting inner...

Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: I acknowledge the presence of the INOU and the ATD campaign. It is important to acknowledge the tireless campaign they have put into this Bill. The purpose of the Bill is to amend Irish equality legislation and the two equality Acts: the Employment Equality Act and the Equal Status Act. As has been said, they cover the nine grounds of marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...years. This was further highlighted in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland published in 2021. The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 is a move in that direction. This Bill was dealt with extensively in the pre-legislative scrutiny stage with many proposed reforms criticised by many stakeholders in the committee. That being said, there are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Asset Management Agency (16 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: The glass bottle site has been at the heart of the Ringsend and Irishtown community for generations, and families from the community worked there for generations. Seven years ago, there was an agreement to develop 350 public homes and 550 affordable homes there. Residents in Ringsend are increasingly frustrated that there are still no homes on that site and it does not look like there will...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Technological Universities (9 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State for her response. The DIT campus on Aungier Street is a huge facility and is going to be redeveloped. Ultimately, it will probably be a build-to-rent building like the one at the DIT site on Kevin Street. That building will be 14 storeys high and will have a huge impact on the area. The construction is already having a huge impact on local residents on Kevin...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Technological Universities (9 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...communities.  For decades, Governments have been happy to increase the numbers of homeless services in inner-city communities; the number of homeless hostels; and the numbers of Housing First allocations in the flat complexes.  The Government is happy to increase the number of asylum seekers in the inner city.  All this time, the Government neglected flats and the inner...

Emergency Housing Measures: Motion [Private Members] (9 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this motion. It is important for those living in the flats across inner city Dublin, for the people living in Nicholas Street, Ross Road and Bride Street. So many people have lost so much because of the overcrowded conditions in their homes. Flats are overcrowded and neglected by the Government. Two and three generations are living under one...

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: I welcome the Bill. We have seen wide levels of engagement on this matter from stakeholders on the front line from rank and file gardaí, right up to the Garda Commissioner. I understand that all of them have welcomed the support for the use of body cameras. Deputy Costello referred to public consultation. Perhaps the Minister, Deputy Harris, will clarify whether that will be an...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (8 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: 338. To ask the Minister for Health the services currently available at the Irishtown and Ringsend primary care centre; if any of these services are scheduled to be removed from this primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5557/23]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (2 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: In recent weeks, I have met residents in Ringsend and Irishtown. They are greatly concerned that services are being moved from Ringsend and Irishtown primary care centre to the Meath Hospital. Residents are, quite frankly, dismayed by this decision. It will be a great imposition and have a major impact on them, and especially on older people. Can the Minister of State confirm that this...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (2 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: That sounds positive. Clearly, though, this information has not been communicated very well. Many people in Ringsend and Irishtown received these letters and they interpreted them to mean their service would be moved to the Meath Hospital primary care centre. My understanding, and the Minister of State might correct me, is that the files and records will be kept and stored in the Meath...

Council Development Levies: Motion [Private Members] (1 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: I congratulate the Minister of State and wish him well in his new role. It will be an interesting journey for him, I am sure. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. When looking at inner-city communities in Dublin, the neglect is obvious. Communities have been neglected. Flat complexes have been neglected. I was in Macken Villas, which is a flat complex not too far...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (31 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: The point I am getting at is that the EU, for example, took clear and decisive action against Iran over human rights abuses. I heard the Minister say earlier that he disagreed with the introduction of the death penalty in Iran. The Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is looking for the reintroduction of the death penalty in Israel. When Ireland and the EU take action against...

Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: I want to thank Deputies O'Reilly and Cronin for bringing the Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021 forward. It could equally be called the compassion Bill because that is really what it is about. It is about showing compassion to people who find themselves in horrific circumstances, something that none of us would ever like to imagine facing. This will impact a very small...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (26 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, for his attendance. I have been meeting with tenants living in flat complexes across Dublin. I attended a meeting earlier today in Pearse House. The level of neglect by the Government and Dublin City Council is horrendous. There are affected flats in Beech Hill, Rathmines, Cuffe Street, Digges Street and York Street. There are too many flat...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sport and Recreational Development (26 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: I acknowledge the Minister of State's reply. I do not want to labour the point but we need to move away from the sports capital grant scheme. We need to move to national sports facilities. In 2012, the Government developed a draft sports facility strategy which was supported by the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI. A circular was sent to all local authorities to try to develop...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sport and Recreational Development (26 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: 13. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures that are being put in place to address the expected increase in participation at a grassroots level in women's football ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023 in Australia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2737/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sport and Recreational Development (26 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State for the reply. We need to ensure that the grassroots level is the best it can be to ensure we capture the almost certain increase in participation around the finals in Australia. We need increased investment in facilities across the country, particularly for grassroots development. Regional development is very important. It is great to see a Kerry football...