Results 141-160 of 621 for at speaker:Fintan Warfield

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report Stage (29 Nov 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I feel it is important to again highlight the rushed nature of this legislation. The Minister's rationale for the rushed process was that a constitutional challenge was ongoing. A response to a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy Mark Ward, states, "The constitutional challenge was adjourned on the basis that wardship would be abolished in orderly fashion via an Act of the...

Seanad: Public Order and Safe Streets: Statements (23 Nov 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I agree with Senator Vincent P. Martin about CAB moneys being reinvested in our communities. As long as I can remember, Sinn Féin has been calling for just that. That would be a very welcome move. In addition, it should be designed out as well, as it is a very important contribution in terms of designing public spaces for people and...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (Number 4) Regulations 2022: Motion (23 Nov 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House and thank him for brining forward these regulations, which we will not oppose. It is good to see him in good health. These proposals were discussed at the committee but I thank him for the explanation he has given of what is proposed. We fully accept there is an emergency in regard to people seeking international protection. It is not...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Nov 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I apologise that I must leave the Order of Business early. The Government has once again demonstrated that it is unwilling or unable to deal with the housing crisis. This weekend, a Government memo confirmed a housing budget underspend of almost €500 million so far this year. Just days ago, the Minister finally acknowledged what most independent experts and Sinn Féin have been...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Second Stage (16 Nov 2022)

Fintan Warfield: As we debate this Bill today I am particularly mindful of both the environmental and cost-of-living crises that we currently face. The ever-increasing impact of global warming has seen water levels in rivers throughout the country fluctuate. We are now faced with a future where vulnerability to drought and water poverty are real and imminent risks for all. Furthermore the current...

Seanad: Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I am disappointed that our amendments were ruled out of order. I reiterate the concerns about the current threshold. Given that the primary purpose is to modernise the legislation, basing it on the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977, legislation enacted over 40 years ago, seems contrary to the very aim of the Bill.I said on Second Stage that the proposed threshold equates to...

Seanad: Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I also welcome the Minister of State to the House. Homelessness is a measure by which any housing policy would be assessed. Just before the mid-term break, we spoke here about the levels of homelessness. Back in August there were 10,800 adults and children in emergency accommodation, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We think the real figure is closer to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Oct 2022)

Fintan Warfield: Now that we will have a permanent electoral commission, is Ms Gleeson optimistic about everything that can flow from it? There is a comment I want to make, which I have made at every meeting. It is about the Seanad election. It is bizarrely complicated but it presents many opportunities to increase representation of diversity in the Houses and gender representation. I have put this on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Oct 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I apologise for being late but I read the opening statements last night and this morning. This is a conversation I often have with Sinéad, who helps me out with this committee. Between 1989 and 1994, the European Parliament had 20% women and the Dáil today has 23% women. That is how long it has taken us to catch up but it is also a sign of how slow we have been with regard to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Fintan Warfield: Other members of the committee will raise the referendum issue. The Taoiseach will appreciate there is some frustration among women and people who have been campaigning for this referendum to take place at the delays that have faced that referendum. We have provided the Taoiseach with an interim report for the purpose of getting on with the matter as quickly as possible. Can the Taoiseach...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2022)

Fintan Warfield: ...27, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 146 of Act of 2015 91.Section 146 of the Act of 2015 is amended by the insertion of the following: “(1) Such review will examine the operation, interpretation and accessibility of this Act and make recommendations for reform accordingly. Such review shall include consultation with, and the active involvement of, persons...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2022)

Fintan Warfield: No. We are discussing people's rights. I am not saying that if we had a more diverse Seanad, a disabled person would be here to talk about this issue. No one would be obliged to do that. I do not talk about everything related to LGBT people. However, if we are to live by that adage, "Nothing about us without us", we need to take a serious look at diversity in this Chamber and among Senators.

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I move amendment No. 77: In page 75, line 31, to delete “at least half” and substitute “two-thirds”.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2022)

Fintan Warfield: That is timely because I would welcome the views of Ms Buckley and WorkEqual on domestic violence leave. Do they support the proposals of Deputies Louise O'Reilly and McDonald for a statutory ten days domestic violence leave? My colleague mentioned some of the organisations and companies that provide ten days leave, such as Danske Bank, universities, Vodafone and An Post. Essentially, the...

Seanad: Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022: Second Stage (5 Oct 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I welcome the Minister of State and his team to the House. This legislation is long overdue. It is very important legislation. It is crucial that we get it right and that the Government listens and takes on board the views of the Oireachtas and the joint committee, which I commend on its pre-legislative report, which I have taken the time to read in advance of today's debate. The House...

Seanad: Passport Office: Motion (5 Oct 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I was going to speak at length, but at this stage of the debate I rise just to support the motion, to commend my colleague, Senator Ó Donnghaile, on his tireless work on this issue and to thank the Passport Office staff who have done incredible work combining the Brexit chaos with the Covid-19 pandemic. I recognise that work. There are two things that stand out for me. First, we have...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings: Discussion (29 Sep 2022)

Fintan Warfield: Mr. McDonnell's contribution has triggered some questions. Following the committee's suggestion that we invite heritage Ministers to attend, perhaps Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Fleming, would attend as well. There are 45 sectors and subsectors identified as struggling to get insurance, ranging from community groups to childcare to culture. I do a lot of work on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (29 Sep 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I welcome the Minister and his colleagues. He said in his opening statement that there had been a steady and sizeable increase in the share of women on the largest listed company boards. I suppose that refers to the ISEQ 20. Female representation has risen from 18% in 2018 to 32% in March this year. The Minister said that was a significant achievement in a short time but, clearly, more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (29 Sep 2022)

Fintan Warfield: For the Minister's information we have had some discussion about quotas at local level in the committee and it has been mentioned that we could incentivise them rather than penalising parties.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings: Discussion (29 Sep 2022)

Fintan Warfield: I have one last question that I have not fully thought out. I look at the European flag behind the Chair and the committee and we talk about Ireland being such a small market. Are we not part of a much bigger market? For example, with thatched cottages, I am thinking about France-----