Results 1-20 of 651 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Chris Andrews

Local Authority Housing Maintenance and Repair: Motion [Private Members] (28 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: The public housing stock is the forgotten element in the Government’s housing policy. Those living in the flats and houses owned by Dublin City Council already know that. I do not know a block of flats managed by Dublin City Council that does not have serious issues, whether public health issues, dampness, mould, neglect, leaks, floods, electrical faults or rats - the list goes on...

Ireland's Recognition of the State of Palestine: Statements (28 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: Today is welcome and important. It is important that politics is seen to work. If politics does not work, militarism flourishes. We need to show Palestine that politics works because, to date, politics has failed Palestinians. We must ensure that the Government’s solidarity with the State of Palestine does not stall for another ten years while thousands more die at the hands of the...

Ireland's Recognition of the State of Palestine: Statements (28 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: I welcome the Palestinian ambassador who is with us. Today is an important day for Ireland in recognising the State of Palestine. It is the right thing to do. Ireland's formal recognition of the State of Palestine firmly reflects the support for and solidarity with Palestine among the people of Ireland. I acknowledge the presence of members of an Irish support for Palestine group in the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: Some 3,800 homes are due to be built on the Irish Glass Bottle site yet only 350 of them will be social housing. How can the Government justify the low level of social housing and the unaffordable but so-called affordable homes on that site? The Government needs to buy more social housing and genuinely affordable homes instead of allowing 75% of them to go to private ownership and almost...

Business Support Package: Statements (23 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State. The cost of doing business is challenging for everybody. No even the Government would deny that. Is is challenging, particularly for smaller businesses. I have raised an issue before in this House about schemes right across the country. Different local authorities have different schemes for street furniture licensing. The Minister for housing has waived...

Housing for All: Statements (21 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: Housing for All - as far as residents in Ringsend and Irishtown are concerned, there is only housing for the very wealthy and the vulture funds. The vast majority of homes on the Irish Glass Bottle site will not be for working families from Pearse Street and Ringsend. A deal was done with the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group seven years ago for social and affordable homes but there...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Urban Development (16 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: Listening to that, I cannot help feeling the Departments of Justice and of the Taoiseach are deluded as to what is happening for families living in the inner city. In recent years, the communities of Pearse Street and City Quay have been terrorised by gangs who travel from all over Dublin to have recreational gang fights on the bridge at City Quay. The local communities, gardaí and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Urban Development (16 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: Last week, the Taoiseach announced the formation of a task force to make Dublin a more attractive and safer city. Of course, I strongly welcome the formation of this task force. It is long overdue. Much of Dublin city centre feels menacing when walking around it. I have consistently raised the concerns of the communities who actually live in the inner city. The inner city is their home...

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: Seven years ago, the Ringsend, Irishtown, Pearse Street and Sandymount communities did a deal with the Government for the delivery of social and affordable houses on a particular site. Families and individuals in the inner city are in desperate need of housing, both social and affordable. Inner city communities have been neglected for decades. They are expected to live in conditions that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: The square meter figure, however, will not increase.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: Earlier this week, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage made another big announcement with little substance behind it. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, said he was going to waive the fees for local businesses for outdoor seating, but he has provided little clarity around that. There was no clarity for the local businesses because there was no engagement with them....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Chris Andrews: The Minister of State might clarify something. My understanding is that the charge of €125 per table will be waived. However, the cost for renting the space, which can work out between €200 and €400 per square metre, is not going to be waived. Obviously, that it is a huge expense. The waiving of the charge of €125 will going to have a huge impact. It is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Chris Andrews: The children in Enable Ireland Sandymount School have very complex needs. There are serious leaks in the school building and, as a result, the children have been displaced into rooms that are not suitable for their needs. The library is out of action for the entire school. This impacts everybody in the school. The repair works are needed urgently and the school and vulnerable students are...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2024)

Chris Andrews: It is happening now.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Postal Services (25 Apr 2024)

Chris Andrews: We often talk about a 15-minute city, but this model of An Post postal service delivery will not lend itself to a 15-minute city. People will have to travel significantly longer to reach the local post office. One example, as I mentioned earlier, was when Kevin Street post office closed. Residents have quite a distance to go now to reach the nearest post office, and at an older age it...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Postal Services (25 Apr 2024)

Chris Andrews: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte. An Post is planning on selling off its beautiful art deco building which has been the home of Rathmines post office for almost 90 years and is an iconic building in the heart of Rathmines. In one fell swoop, the actions of An Post will mean that this building will be lost to the Rathmines community and An Post will privatise the postal...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)

Chris Andrews: For months, the Government has watched Mount Street turn into a tented city. Fine Gael's neglect of the inner city continues. Many residents do not feel safe around Mount Street or, indeed, anywhere in the city. Small local businesses next to Mount Street are on the brink of closing down because of the shambles this Government has created. The people I represent are sick of this...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)

Chris Andrews: Baggot Street hospital is empty.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)

Chris Andrews: Baggot Street hospital is empty.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Mar 2024)

Chris Andrews: Harold's Cross Educate Together Secondary School is a relatively new school in the community. It started with just 38 students and has grown rapidly due to the high demand in the area. Planning permission for vital works was granted two years ago but parents, teachers and students have seen absolutely no progress since then. This is a new school with nearly 300 children that has no...