Results 221-240 of 245 for speaker:Maura Hopkins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: That is right.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (26 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter. I am extremely angry with the HSE because it has not been truthful and honest with the people of Roscommon. I say that because information was given to me and to other public representatives, both verbally and in writing, regarding the potential closure of mental health day centres and hostels in County Roscommon. The...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (26 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: The Minister of State is right, in that the HSE needs to provide us with accurate and honest information, which we are not getting at the moment. It is difficult to have confidence and trust in County Roscommon's mental health services when there is a complete disconnect between what we are hearing on the ground and what we are being told publicly by higher levels within the HSE. It is not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Business of Joint Committee (25 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I think that is the most constructive way to ensure the Minister has a time that is appropriate for her to come to the meeting. To be fair to the Minister, as the Chairman has stated, she is attending a Cabinet meeting this morning and is, therefore, unable to be here. The short notice given to the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, meant that it is unfortunate that neither of them are able to...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I want to raise the issue of mental health services in County Roscommon. The people who use mental health services in Roscommon, their families and the staff must be provided with the facts about the current and future provision of services in the county. I have listened to a wide range of individuals over the past number of days who are involved in the mental health services in the county....

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Second Stage (19 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I welcome the Minister of State. Like my colleagues, I very much welcome the pupils and members of the Irish deaf community here today. Similarly, I thank Senator Mark Daly for having brought this Bill to the Chamber. It is an extremely important Bill for the current and future community of deaf people in Ireland. One person who wrote to me put it quite succinctly and clearly. She said...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (5 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to discuss this important matter. Last week I met people living with the impact of a stroke in the community. A new stroke support group has been established in County Roscommon, led by the Irish Heart Foundation. One of the issues raised at the meeting was the concern for people who attended the group and every person living in a rural...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (5 Oct 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response. I am encouraged by the fact that the programme for Government sets out that there will be a multi-annual programme which will focus on providing an enhanced ambulance service, involving increased personnel, improved technology and improved ambulances. However, we are dealing with a very urgent issue, particularly in known...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I want to raise the issue of farmers, particularly in the west, who are concerned about the difficult weather conditions we have had throughout the summer. I understand Teagasc is undertaking a survey on the extent of the tillage crisis, looking at how many hectares of barley, wheat and oats are yet to be harvested. There are farmers who have managed to harvest crops but the yields and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development and Infrastructure: Belturbet, Connemara and Kells Municipal Districts (20 Sep 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the witnesses for their contributions. This is a constructive discussion because we are passionate about rural areas. Coming from a rural area, I want to see more young people return to live in rural areas. I seek commentary on a number of issues. First, on the question of tourism, I live in the midlands and I am frustrated with regard to the interaction with the major tourism...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development and Infrastructure: Belturbet, Connemara and Kells Municipal Districts (20 Sep 2016)

Maura Hopkins: No, that is fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Culture 2025 - Éire Ildánach: a Framework Policy to 2025 and Related Matters: Discussion (7 Sep 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I would like to make a number of brief points about the connection between artists and the business world. I say that because a really interesting report was commissioned by the Western Development Commission in 2009. It emphasised that the creative sector was very much underdeveloped and that there was huge potential. On foot of that, I was recently involved with Roscommon Leader...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motor Insurance (14 Jul 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber this morning. I want to raise the issue of insurance costs. The spiralling cost of motor insurance has placed a massive burden on motorists. Over the past year, increases in excess of 30% have become standard within the sector and that is unacceptable. I am fully aware that the Minister for Finance has set up a task force to examine the issue...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Motor Insurance (14 Jul 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for his response. It appears the working group will take the issue of motor insurance costs seriously, as it must if we are to remove all possible barriers for people who are trying to work, which is a major issue in rural areas. The issues around fraud, claims and more extensive use of the book of quantum are core elements in addressing this matter. I look...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2016: Second Stage (13 Jul 2016)

Maura Hopkins: Like my Fine Gael colleagues, I support the Bill, certainly in principle. As a newly-elected Senator, I am trying to learn the ropes with regard to the functioning of the Seanad. Having been elected on the administrative panel, an area I was very interested in, and which was one of my drivers to get involved in politics, was health care reform, particularly in the area of rehabilitation. I...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2016: Second Stage (13 Jul 2016)

Maura Hopkins: It is important that we respect each other within this Chamber and work together on issues. There is a focus at times on local issues. In the context of this debate, we have frequently mentioned the importance of our local representatives who are working on local issues and meeting local people every day. It is critical that we connect with those local representatives because it is only by...

Seanad: Housing for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I thank Senators John Dolan, Grace O'Sullivan and the other Independent Senators who brought this Private Members' motion forward today.I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. As a health care professional, having worked as an occupational therapist for the past eight years, I have worked with many people who have suffered from disability and have been involved with many who...

Seanad: Farm Safety: Statements (6 Jul 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming my former colleague, Councillor Kathleen Shanagher, to the Chamber today. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Creed, to the Seanad and I wish him every success in his new role. The farming sector is crucial to Ireland's economy and agrifood is our most important indigenous sector. Farm safety is a critical issue today and is of serious concern. Some 30...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I refer to concerns about the need for urgent action on the N5, particularly between Frenchpark and Strokestown. Locals have informed me that there are black spots along this section of road. We understand there have been over 20 accidents at a particular one. I have raised this issue on several occasions in the past year with Roscommon County Council and ask that Transport Infrastructure...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Maura Hopkins: I wish to continue our discussion on Brexit and to raise the serious implications for the Irish agrifood industry following the decision by the people of the UK to leave the EU. The UK is our single biggest trading partner and Irish agribusiness will, undoubtedly, be the most exposed. Ireland exported €5.1 billion in farm produce to Britain in 2015. A recent Teagasc survey has...