Results 1,201-1,220 of 1,350 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It is Ní Ghiolla Phádraig. My Irish is not that great but I am catching up. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and for bringing this important legislation. As a former councillor, I share the view that engagement with the public on all matters for which local authorities are responsible is important. The development plan is made once every five years and this...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Standing room only on the north side.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I will be brief. We need to be responsible and constructive in this debate. The legislation that is being brought forward is with the objective of trying to enhance public participation rather than to stymie or restrict it. The narrow interpretation that is being put on the language, which states that the executive functions own the preparation of the pre-draft is not helpful because it is...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I did not-----

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It was not part of the development plan.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Committee Stage (30 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Next Wednesday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Diego Maradona died yesterday but two men in our capital city also died. One of them was homeless and living on the streets of Dublin and the other had been homeless and was in sheltered accommodation. I have raised the issue of homelessness many times in this House and at the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I fully recognise the commitment from the Government in...

Seanad: Reopening Ireland (Department of Health): Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House for this important debate. We appreciate his time as there are enormous demands on him and his Department. His Department is to be commended, along with NPHET and all of government, for the continuing efforts and outstanding commitment to helping our country tackle and survive this pandemic. Before I say anything else, it is important...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Today, 25 November, is the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The UN says violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today. It remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame that surrounds it. In general terms, violence against women and girls...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Order for Second Stage (25 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Second Stage (25 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I wish to share time with Senator Byrne with six minutes for me and two minutes for the Senator.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Second Stage (25 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for bringing this legislation to the Senate first. I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I appreciate that some members were confused as to the Minister's intentions. I accept the Minister's apology and accept that his intention in bringing forward this legislation is both to support...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Second Stage (25 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I apologise to the House. I did not realise that was the case.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Second Stage (25 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I am speaking as a former city councillor and I genuinely understand the enormous time and effort that councillors put into the making of development plans. It is two years' work and requires significant effort on their part. They engage with their constituents, lobby groups and so on. I am not going to repeat my request to the Government; everyone here knows what I want to say, including...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Second Stage (25 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Next Monday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Government's decision announced by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage yesterday to ban co-living. It signals a really decisive and important shift in the policy of the Government and the State towards the provision of housing. When the concept of co-living was introduced in 2018, it was probably well intentioned but it certainly was never going to deliver...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I apologise for being late. I was in the Seanad. There was no disrespect intended but I could not be in two places at the one time. I thank all the witnesses for the briefings that were provided. This is a really important Bill. It is an important commitment from the Government's perspective because the Government committed to enact the marine planning and development management Bill...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: The witnesses might circulate the committee with details on how the community benefit fund is spent. I note the current amount is €4.5 million and that will change going forward. I ask them to elaborate on how the scheme operates. For example, is it administered by the local authority or the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI? If the committee could be circulated with...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I support Senator Currie's call for Government assistance for the zoo in the Phoenix Park. The scariest thing I did in my life was give birth to my three children. I spent the first seven months of my first pregnancy in denial and the final two months saying I genuinely cannot do this. If it had not been for the Rotunda Hospital and the amazing staff, including the midwives, nurses and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Nov 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: They were not passed through this House.