Results 1,841-1,860 of 2,078 for speaker:Mary Seery Kearney

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: ^ General Scheme of Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: The EU cannot deal with the transfer of data out of the EU to the US by Facebook. I am finding it very difficult. A little country like Ireland on its own cannot do that-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: ^ General Scheme of Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: Bigger issues cannot be dealt with------

Seanad: Reports on Department of Health Policy in RTÉ Investigates Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: I thank the Minister of State for taking this debate at such short notice. We really appreciate it. I also thank Senator Ruane. Her comments were very powerful. I pay tribute to the whistleblower, Shane Corr, for his bravery and integrity in pursuing this matter. I also pay tribute to Conor Ryan of RTÉ. This was an example of public broadcasting, the fourth pillar of our democracy,...

Seanad: Living with Covid-19: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: I thank the Minister of State. I got a text today from someone in the group the Minister of State mentioned. A very good friend's son was vaccinated today. The sense of relief for everyone is fantastic.

Seanad: Living with Covid-19: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: Well said. I completely agree with Senator Ward. The comparisons are disingenuous. I am someone who errs very much on the side of caution. I would prefer to see an extension of the restrictions until our vaccination programme has teeth in a much more fundamental way. That is not to undermine what has been done, which has been tremendous. In April, there will be great hope. I have noted...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: I have two things to say. First, I support Senator Cummins. The specific word used was "catastrophic". One cannot but respond to that. While I would rather have extended debate - the Senator was absolutely right on that point - in light of the circumstances and the advice from officials, we felt there was no choice but to move quickly and immediately. In the next 24 hours, decisions will...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: This legislation interrupts constitutional property rights. The proportionality of that is determined by Covid and whether Covid lifts or the Covid situation gets better. I hope with all my heart that we will be in a much better position by 12 July. It is right that we take it in those steps. Otherwise, it becomes disproportionate and unconstitutional. That is the reason. I have no...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: From the outset of the Covid-19 crisis, the Government, under the Fine Gael leader and then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, moved to protect tenants affected by the unavailability of the opportunity to move property and, more crucially, their inability to work. Crucial protections were needed against people's inability to pay their rent brought about by the Covid-19 crisis. That is the origin...

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: I wish to speak briefly on this legislation. I begin by commending Senator Higgins on it. It is positive and good and "reflective" is a very good word for it. It shows the Senator's tremendous passion and insight. It stands as a challenge to the Government, from which we would benefit to listen to and take on board. While the most economically advantageous tender and cost is a very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: Given the state of the current electoral register, I would be quite frightened about the fact that we are in charge of a database that is wholly inaccurate and are administering a database that is wholly inaccurate, contrary to a lot of the provisions of GDPR. It is urgent that we address the requirements to make sure that the basis of our democracy is actually accurate. I would be a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: If we stay in a particular lane we are going to be narrow and not face up to the reality. The reality is that disinformation is affecting the roll-out of the vaccines. Ms Carolan would need to see the type of emails that public representatives get on a daily basis, where people are being quoted as authorities that they are not, or they have a vested interest in disinformation. That is...

Seanad: Family Leave Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: I welcome these amendments. I appreciate that while it is not ideal there has been an urgency and a speed to ensure this is on a proper statutory footing as quickly as possible. I echo the sentiments of all the other speakers that there needs to be a quid pro quo, which was very eloquently put by Senator Bacik. We need that. I had my own experience last week in getting a quote for car...

Seanad: Family Leave Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: I echo the sentiments of the amendment while also appreciating that the Minister, at the previous Stage of debate, gave a commitment to review when it comes to people who are parenting alone and experience particular hardship. That was one of the disappointments that came out of the pre-legislative scrutiny. Certainly, there is disappointment in the provision for lone parents. However, I...

Seanad: Family Leave Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: Now.

Seanad: Family Leave Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: Now.

Seanad: Family Leave Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: Next Friday at 10.30 a.m.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Waiver of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of Residential Tenancies Bill 2021 (16 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: I support the waiver. The process of pre-legislative scrutiny is important. It is a process, however, that requires we also bring in witnesses and not just the officials who are briefing us. Then there is the preparation of a report and the laying of it before the Houses. At the end of pre-legislative scrutiny, the Bill still has to go before the Dáil and the Seanad. If we follow...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Reform (12 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: Ba mhaith liom i bharr fáilte a chur roimh an t-Aire go dtí an Teach inniu. That is my little bit for Seachtain na Gaeilge. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House today. This week the Joint Committee on Disability Matters heard very compelling advocacy from members of the disability committee in the National Women's Council of Ireland and from Amy Hassett of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Reform (12 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: I thank the Minister of State. It is very heartening that we have a locked down timeframe. It is really good. It is also really good to hear of the monthly meetings of the steering group. One of the things I really regard and respect in the Act is the complete abolition of the horrible names of the Acts of the past. We both recoiled, the Minister of State in saying them and me in hearing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Funding (12 Mar 2021)

Mary Seery Kearney: I urge the Senator to be cautious in referring to persons or naming any organisation outside the House.