Results 121-140 of 651 for speaker:Chris Andrews in 'Dáil debates'

Re-introduction of Mortgage Interest Relief: Motion [Private Members] (25 Apr 2023)

Chris Andrews: I commend my Sinn Féin colleagues on the motion. We have seen from previous financial crashes, including those associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the current cost-of-living crisis, that we live in a very volatile economic system. It is shifting and changing, not always for the better. Since July, the European Central Bank has increased its key lending rate...

Organised Crime: Statements (20 Apr 2023)

Chris Andrews: The devastation imposed by organised crime on the communities my colleagues and I represent has been painfully clear for years. Too many communities feel anxious, unsafe and abandoned as they face the terror, devastation and heartbreak that crime brings to their neighbourhoods. Criminals do not represent these hard-working, decent communities, such as those in Pearse Street, City Quay,...

Department Underspend and Reduced Delivery of Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (18 Apr 2023)

Chris Andrews: We have an underspend of €1 billion and the list of work that could be done with this €1 billion is extensive, including regeneration of flat complexes and maintenance of the flat complexes. The Minister mentioned voids and said he was focused on voids. I could bring him to any number of flats around here and show him that the number of voids is extensive. There are two voids...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (18 Apr 2023)

Chris Andrews: When is enough enough? When will the Government say, "Enough is enough", to apartheid Israel? When will the Government say to our European partners that we can no longer stand over allowing apartheid Israel to practice apartheid? When are we going to tell the Israelis that enough is enough and that they cannot keep stealing Palestinian land? When are we going to tell them that they cannot...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (18 Apr 2023)

Chris Andrews: Sorry, the state of Palestine. At least someone was listening to me. We must recognise the state of Palestine. The previous Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, said that he might have recognised the Palestinian state if progress towards a two-state solution had stalled. It cannot get any more stalled than it is now. We have an extreme, fascist Israeli Government. Members of the...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (18 Apr 2023)

Chris Andrews: We need to recognise the state of Palestine, we have to introduce the occupied territories Bill as a matter of urgency and we must tell the EU that we will not give in and let them walk all over us.

Education and the School Building Programme: Motion [Private Members] (29 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: I acknowledge the Labour Party for tabling this motion. It is important as 58 schools have been impacted by the freezing of the process to develop and build schools. Four of the schools are in my constituency. Harold's Cross Educate Together National School, ETNS, Harold's Cross Educate Together Secondary School, ETSS, and Shellybanks ETNS and Sandymount Park ETSS, which are both in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: The Irish language needs more than just goodwill. In Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8, there are more than 20 English-speaking secondary schools. At the same time, there are zero Irish-speaking secondary schools. In those same areas in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8, there are six primary schools that operate through Irish. Where does the Government expect these children and students to go when they finish...

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: I commend my Sinn Féin colleagues on their work in introducing this Bill. The Government's legacy will be one of failure in housing, with Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and Fine Gael repeatedly failing to stand on the side of those most in need. The Government failed to provide for the most basic of needs – a safe home for them and their families – for ordinary...

Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: I welcome this Bill and all the work Deputy Ó Broin put into it. It is very important legislation because it is clearly very important to have minimum standards in private rented accommodation. In my constituency, there is a huge amount of private rented accommodation in Rathmines, Harold's Cross and Sandymount. I believe the vast majority of landlords will welcome this Bill. It will...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: 1 o’clock Yesterday, in the audiovisual room, we were joined by players from Shelbourne, Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers football teams as well as Claire Hunt from Positive Period Ireland. They spoke with passion about their journey and the obstacles they overcame to play in the League of Ireland. One player, Jemma Quinn, spoke of how girls in her primary school were not allowed...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: What about facilities?

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: I am sharing time with Deputy Ward. On 17 March, the International Criminal Court, ICC, took the brave step of finally issuing an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, and I commend the speed at which the ICC operated on this case. It took less than four weeks for these arrest warrants to be issued by the court. At its heart, the Rome Statute of the ICC clearly states the international crimes...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: Last Thursday, Dr. Geoffrey Shannon's report into sexual abuse within the St. John Ambulance was published. It makes for bleak reading. St. John Ambulance put the reputation of its organisation ahead of vulnerable young children. The report would probably not have been carried out and published if it were not for survivors such as Mick Finnegan and the many other survivors. The board...

Education (Inspection of Individual Education Plans for Children with Special Needs) Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Mar 2023)

Chris Andrews: I acknowledge the work Deputies Tully and Guirke have put into this important Bill. All children who need an individual educational plan should get an individual educational plan. The EPSEN Act was enacted in 2004 to provide education in an inclusive mainstream setting. That is unfortunately not happening. There is a situation where neurodiverse children are bussed out of their community...

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 appreciate the Minister coming in and listening to the various issues. I know he is committed to equality; it is a common theme throughout his work in Leinster House. I cannot help thinking he is a bit optimistic to suggest that the Government will still be here in 18 months but that is another debate. I acknowledge the work the OPLA and its officials put in in drafting the Bill. It...

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...