Results 141-160 of 245 for speaker:Maura Hopkins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Pobal: Review of Past Performance, Current Issues and Future Strategies (31 Jan 2018)

Maura Hopkins: Some of the questions I wanted to raise have already been answered. I will make a few general comments and maybe the witnesses can give me a sense of their thoughts on issues that have not been raised. My first thought is an issue that I have raised at length with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring. I refer to support for boards, voluntary bodies and...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Maura Hopkins: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for her work on the Bill. I very much welcome this Bill, which will establish technological universities with strong regional ties to support development. In particular, I welcome the forming of the Connacht-Ulster alliance, of Galway-Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny institutes of technology. It is very important that we have increased co-operation...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Maura Hopkins: Ballinasloe in County Galway is a town that has made real progress in the Tidy Towns competition in recent years and I strongly commend the local community, committee and council in this regard. However, as a community the people of Ballinasloe continue to be plagued by the issue of waste. In 1999 community representatives took the urban district council to the High Court in their efforts...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Maura Hopkins: It is outside the main house.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Maura Hopkins: Good for her.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2018)

Maura Hopkins: I want to raise a very serious issue in regard to the Rosalie unit in Castlerea. I have raised this issue before and asked questions for many months. When one does not get replies, it causes one to ask even more questions. We had a meeting with the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, and HSE chief official, Tony Canavan, yesterday on the current and long-term future of the unit. The unit...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: National Planning Framework: Discussion (13 Dec 2017)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for being here. In regard to the national planning framework and rural Ireland, one of the biggest challenges in terms of maintaining rural communities is access to employment. If we want people and families to remain in and return to rural Ireland, we need to ensure there are jobs in rural areas. Deputy Canney gave the example of Parkmore in Galway city. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development: Discussion (29 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: I apologise as I had to step out for another meeting. My first question concerns Pillar 2 - supporting enterprise and employment. The action plan has a number of key actions in that area. I want to ascertain how closely the new Department works with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in terms of trying to support job creation in rural areas. There are different...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, to the House. As colleagues have noted, these amendments to the 2005 Act provide a welcome strengthening of existing provisions. Following on from what Senator Dolan said, the key element here is the clarity that is now provided regarding the distinction between physical therapy and physiotherapy. It is not to diminish the role of...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: Tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (16 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: I wish to share time with Senators Tim Lombard and Catherine Noone.

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (16 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: Like other Senators, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, to the House. As I am under time constraints, I will make a few key points. I have to disagree with Senator Grace O'Sullivan's view of the local electoral areas. I live in the Boyle municipal district in County Roscommon, which is a huge geographical area that from end to end is probably 80 km. There is nothing local...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Response Times (8 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: I thank the Minister of State for his attendance in respect of an issue I have raised several times in the Chamber regarding the ambulance service in County Roscommon and, in particular, its response times. There have been a number of reports on the issue, such as a HIQA report in 2014 and the Lightfoot report in 2016. Both are very stark in their findings and provide us with evidence that...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Response Times (8 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: I will make three very short points. In 2017, €1 million in additional resources have been made available. Surely, those resources should be directed towards identified, evidence-based black spots. The Minister of State referred to the Loughglynn ambulance base. To be honest, the response is not at all satisfactory. The Minister of State said this facilitates better utilisation of...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: I welcome the amendments on the link between alcohol and fatal cancers. However, alcohol is also a huge risk factor for high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, atrial fibrillation, stroke and liver damage.While it has a major implication as regards the direct impact on cancer, it is equally important to recognise that it is also a major risk factor in respect of those conditions.

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

Maura Hopkins: There has been a lot of discussion today about the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 and in the main there has been really strong support for its objectives of trying to deal with binge drinking, particularly among young people, and addiction. On section 20, the Minister has been reasonable in trying to come up with a practical, cost-effective solution for retailers. That is what we need to...

Seanad: An Ghaeilge: Ráitis (25 Oct 2017)

Maura Hopkins: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta McHugh. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus leis an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta as a dtiomantas d'fhorbairt na Gaeilge. Bíonn roinnt deiseanna againn an Ghaeilge agus todhchaí na teanga a phlé sa Teach seo. Cuirim fáilte roimh na deiseanna sin. It is unfortunate...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2017)

Maura Hopkins: Not great. Many Senators have spoken about the effects of Storm Ophelia, and I, too, extend my sympathies to the three bereaved families. This is a very difficult time for them. Likewise, I commend all who were involved in yesterday's efforts. I join Senators Mullen and Colm Burke in raising the issue of stamp duty. While there were many positive aspects to last week's budget for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Maura Hopkins: Tá mé ceart go leor.