Results 141-160 of 651 for speaker:Chris Andrews in 'Dáil debates'

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

Chris Andrews: The need for reform has been acknowledged for 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...

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: National Asset Management Agency (16 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: As has been said, it is important that NAMA transfers its holding to Dublin City Council. Residents from Ringsend and Irishtown living in overcrowded accommodation that is filled with dampness and mould need this and it is necessary to develop a strong community. Housing is a key element to that. It has been seven years since an agreement was reached to develop public housing on this site....

Cost-of-Living Supports: Motion [Private Members] (14 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: I commend my party colleague Deputy Doherty on bringing forward the motion. The pressure being felt in every community in the State needs to be addressed in a meaningful way whereby ordinary workers and the most vulnerable members of our society will feel the benefit. We see little to no change from energy providers or on the shelves of supermarkets. What we do see are record-high energy...

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: I congratulate the Minister of State and wish her well in her new role.  It is a really interesting one and I am sure she will be excellent in it.

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

Chris Andrews: The Government is happy to increase the numbers of people living in inner-city 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...

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...

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...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: Given all that Katie Taylor has done for Ireland, Irish sport and women in sport, it is important that the Government does everything it can to ensure she has her homecoming fight in Croke Park in front of 80,000 fans. Certainly if Croke Park is not possible, a bigger venue than the 3Arena would be ideal. Some 80,000 fans in Croke Park cheering on Katie Taylor would be a fitting...

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: 68. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the new Israeli Government’s policy of expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, using the means of ethnic cleansing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2133/23]

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

Chris Andrews: I congratulate the Tánaiste on his new position and wish him well in his new role. The new extreme right-wing Israeli Government has made the expansion of illegal settlements on Palestinian land a priority. This, in effect, amounts to ethnic cleansing of Palestinian communities. How does the Minister view the new Israeli Government's policy of expanding settlements in the occupied...

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

Chris Andrews: The Minister acknowledged the violation of international law and said that Israel disregards international law and the views of the UN and EU. However, there are still no consequences for Israel stealing Palestinian land, for apartheid in Israel or for increasing rates of murder by the Israeli Defence Forces. The new fanatical, fascist, homophobic Minister of Finance in the Israel...

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...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: I congratulate the Minister of State on his new role. It is a very interesting brief and I wish him well in it. As Israel's fanatics take over its Government and shooting Palestinians becomes a national sport for the Israeli security forces, the Irish Government needs to go beyond expressing concern and condemnation. The apartheid Israeli Finance Minister recently said: "I may be a...

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: The problem of mould in flats is not being taken seriously by the Government. We cannot entrust the local authorities to fix this problem which has been there for decades. The homes are passed with just a bit of paint or bleach, which some tenants are given. The days for that are long gone. Government needs to intervene and ensure that the funding is there. The funding can be there if...