Results 41-60 of 245 for speaker:Maura Hopkins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Like other Senators, I want to raise the matter of the Mercosur deal between the European Union and South American countries. We all know the possible negative implications if this deal is passed. It has the potential to absolutely decimate the Irish beef market. The current draft of the deal includes a quota of 99,000 tonnes of beef from South America into the EU market. As we know, the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Bird Population in Ireland: BirdWatch Ireland (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Dr. Donaghy has mentioned that further measures need to be taken to have a robust GLAS that values biodiversity. What additional measures should be put in place in the next Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, negotiations for GLAS? I live in the west and so am quite familiar with the challenge of non-native Sitka spruce there and in the north west. Dr. Donaghy says it is having an impact on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Bird Population in Ireland: BirdWatch Ireland (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I have a question on the specialist advice to farmers. Who is best placed to give it? We know that the GLAS scheme is at full capacity and 50,000 farmers are signed up to it. It is important that all farmers engage and that is a well made point. Has there been progress on the curlew sites? It is a species that is hugely endangered. Have the witnesses seen progress in terms of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Bird Population in Ireland: BirdWatch Ireland (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: An increase in numbers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Bird Population in Ireland: BirdWatch Ireland (2 Jul 2019)

Maura Hopkins: In general.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: IDA Ireland Site Visits (20 Jun 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I also welcome the Minister of State. I want to raise the matter of the work IDA Ireland is doing in counties Roscommon and Galway. It is an issue the Minister of State is well aware of as he visited the IDA Ireland business park in Ballinasloe recently. IDA Ireland's quarterly results will be published later this morning and, therefore, it is timely to raise this issue, as my...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: IDA Ireland Site Visits (20 Jun 2019)

Maura Hopkins: The final statistic cited by the Minister of State is important. Significant work has been done to reduce unemployment. As he said, the rate is now at 5.5%, which is positive. However, I am not satisfied, and I do not have adequate evidence that enough is being done. I will outline a few examples. IDA Ireland's business park in Ballinasloe, with which the Minister of State will be...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I refer to the 50-bed replacement ward block at Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe. The matter has been ongoing for many years. It is a shovel-ready project. It is essential that we see works progressing as quickly as possible. When I recently met hospital management, it highlighted the urgent need for the project to progress. The current ward block is not fit for purpose and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Flooding at Ballycar on Galway-Limerick Railway Line and Opportunities for Investment in Heavy Rail: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I thank Mr. Kenny for his presentation. It is very clear that Irish Rail is doing a significant amount in terms of investment in infrastructure with a particular emphasis on environmental sustainability. This is very positive. There appears to be significant investment, which we were starved of for many years. I wish to raise the issue of the western rail corridor, which was mentioned by...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Flooding at Ballycar on Galway-Limerick Railway Line and Opportunities for Investment in Heavy Rail: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I thank Mr. Kenny for that. I am mindful that circumstances have improved. The last train to Westport from Heuston Station is at 6.15 p.m. The last to Cork leaves at 9 p.m. Mr. Kenny has acknowledged that the number of customers using that service has increased. We believe there is a lot more potential. Many have raised this issue with me because they are commuting. As he rightly said,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 May 2019)

Maura Hopkins: This morning I wish to raise the very positive outcome which was achieved in respect of RehabCare services yesterday evening. It is extremely good news that RehabCare services will continue to function, as they are important in supporting approximately 3,000 people countrywide in day services, residential services and respite services. People with disabilities and their families have been...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 May 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Yesterday morning I met the principal, staff and children of St. Teresa's special school in Ballinasloe. They face a major challenge at the moment. They have been given an insurance bill of more than €26,000 for this year. In 2017, the insurance bill was a little more than €3,000. In 2018, it was a little more than €19,000, and the bill for this year is...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (15 May 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I propose that we suspend the House for ten minutes.

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2019)

Maura Hopkins: On Tuesday, 21 May 2019.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Apr 2019)

Maura Hopkins: On Monday I attended the launch of the Western Development Commission's strategy. A lot of work is being done by the commission to promote the economic and social development of the western region. It launched a five-year strategy entitled, Work Smarter, Live Better. Much of the strategy centres on the promotion of enterprise hubs. A sum of €1 million is being provided from the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I wish to raise the issue of school transport for our local schools. I have been in contact with a number of school principals and staff across Roscommon and Galway whose schools are at risk of either losing a teacher or potentially closing due to decreasing pupil numbers. From a number of examples I have in mind there is a significant imbalance across a number of schools. Many of our...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Apr 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I support this amendment and the contributions made by Senators Paddy Burke, Paul Daly and Ó Céidigh. It is about achieving a balance. I live in a rural area and have spent many of my summers on the bog. I am familiar with the challenges of rural life. It is about ensuring we achieve the objective of preserving our bogs, as well as being proud of the flora, fauna and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I raise an issue I have raised in this Chamber on a number of occasions. It relates to the Rosalie Unit, which is a mental health long-term care facility in Castlerea. Currently, there are 12 residents in the unit and there have been major concerns about the long-term future of the unit since admissions were closed in September 2016. We have had two public meetings in that time and I have...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (26 Mar 2019)

Maura Hopkins: Notwithstanding anything in today's Order of Business, I propose that we extend the time allocated to this item of business by ten minutes, to conclude at 5.55 p.m.

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Mar 2019)

Maura Hopkins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, to the House. It has taken some considerable time for this Bill to make it to this House. I hope its passage will not be significantly delayed so we can see it implemented to address a very important issue for rural communities. This Bill, as the Minister of State said, will primarily grant more power to the Minister and will provide for a...