Results 1-12 of 12 for epa speaker:Mary Ann O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I want to talk again today about the EPA. Section 15 of the Environmental Protection Act 1992 provides for the immunity of the EPA, while section 16 provides for the indemnification of the director general, directors and other persons in it. In its in-depth review in 2010 the EPA stated doubts had been expressed about the constitutionality of this immunity and whether it was compatible with...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to call in the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, to discuss the EPA. There is a considerable amount to say and I think some other Senators will support me. Last week's "Prime Time" programme contained a very good report on Portlaoise. Senator Whelan has worked hard on this issue and I congratulate...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: Since that plant has been in operation, there has been much pollution, ill health and animal ill health and farms have had to be closed in that area. This started in the early 1990s. The EPA commissioned a report in 1996 that cost the taxpayer €5 million-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2016)

Mary Ann O'Brien: -----yet nothing has been done, but everyone who works high up in the EPA enjoys total immunity. This has to stop. The Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, in her closing speech to the debate on that Bill, stated "I can assure and inform Senator O'Brien that the Minister has confirmed to me that the Department will expedite the completion of the current review and a comprehensive report on...

Seanad: Services for People with Asthma: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: .... I will ask the Minister of State a question about joining the dots. Environmental conditions contribute to asthma and allergies and air quality has a huge effect on asthma sufferers. Will the Department of Health and Children join the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to monitor the air quality in Ireland and...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (21 Jul 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: ...;. We have been over this ground in recent days. I remind the House that section 15 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 provides for the immunity of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, while section 16 provides for the indemnification of the director general, directors and other persons of the EPA. In its in-depth review of 2010, the EPA itself stated that doubts...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: ...15 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act that gave the agency immunity from prosecution had been ruled out of order owing to the fact that it involved a potential charge on the Exchequer. The EPA has one of the greatest responsibilities to perform for us taxpayers. It is the protector and watchdog of our water supply, rivers, oceans, fish, the environment, the air we breath, land,...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: ...consideration of the Minister of State. I have in mind section 31 and amendments to the 1992 Environmental Protection Agency Act. A very good public consultation process was undertaken by the EPA in 2010, out of which review came 58 recommendations. I commend the EPA for its work because action has been taken on 43 of these recommendations to date. However, one serious recommendation...

Seanad: Growing Tourism to 2025: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: ...to visit. My friends from New Zealand want to get married on the River Nore in Kilkenny. To touch on some of the negatives, one is the overarching government policy. We need co-opetition among departments, a realigning of Ministries and to pull it all together in order that we can be powerful when it comes to this area. I would also mention the EPA, and I note Senator Landy is present....

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: ...again be destroyed. I welcome Nuala and Pat Geoghegan who are in the Visitors Gallery and who are from Askeaton, County Limerick. The Aughinish plant and Moneypoint are near their farm. If the EPA allows this new waste management business to go forward the area will surely compete for being the most polluted small area on the planet. We will become a global player. We need a debate on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector and Annual Report 2013: Teagasc (10 Mar 2015)

Mary Ann O'Brien: ...may become automated. I worry about the staff shortages in Teagasc. Enrolments are up 154%. Since 2000 the number of staff at Teagasc has fallen by 42%. How can Teagasc strategise and prepare for the future and the challenges that are ahead of it if we do not lift the embargo on recruitment? The value of Kinsealy must be huge; that might help to hire a few new staff that are badly...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency: Motion (9 Jul 2014)

Mary Ann O'Brien: ..., and the protection of the environment, for the future of our country and its citizens. Everyone who has spoken - we have heard a rainbow of speeches - seems to have a similar story about the EPA. I would like to refer briefly to my story, which comes from the beginning of my research. Coincidentally, in light of Senator Whelan's motion, I met some people from Askeaton, County...