Results 1-20 of 305 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Code (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving time to the House to debate my Commencement matter that calls for action by the Minister for Finance to increase the affordability and supply of housing for our citizens by introducing tax measures that will address the activities of private investment funds in the housing market. I specifically call for the Minister for Finance to end tax incentives for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Code (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit for his response. I acknowledge that Cabinet is meeting today and that this item is on the agenda and will be addressed. We all must remind ourselves, however, of what the purpose of tax is. The purpose of tax is to raise income to invest in essential community services and supports. In this instance, the tax system is undermining the State's...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Today I wish to remember someone who lived in the Dublin Central constituency. He was a visionary, a leader, a true revolutionary, and an innovator of unparalleled intellect, integrity and modesty. I would like to remember Seán Lemass. He grew up on Capel Street. He attended O'Connell boys' school on the North Circular Road where he was an excellent student. He fought in the GPO in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: This week, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, proposed to Cabinet the most comprehensive affordable housing legislation in the history of the State. It proposes to change the direction of the State's role in the provision of housing in Ireland. This is an important development, not just for Government, but for society at large. We are coming...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate Examinations) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 May 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister for joining us. I also thank her for the tremendous work she has done as Minister since taking office. She has brought new energy, creativity, resilience and professionalism to the role and to her Department. It has certainly been noticed by the schools and the education community in the Dublin Central constituency in which I live and across the country. I commend the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank him for coming here to respond to my Commencement matter, which speaks to the need for the Government to provide financial and other supports to the taxi service industry. I congratulate the Minister of State and the Government. Today is a hopeful day. The announcement yesterday was very welcome to all sectors of industry and community...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I welcome his clarification of the situation with regard to the bus lanes. That is an operational matter and it is important that there is clarity around that issue. I also welcome the supports the Minister of State mentioned and the fact that taxi drivers can earn up to €120 a week. However, they cannot do so because there is no...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: The Fianna Fáil group is happy to have only one speaker on each amendment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: We just want to get through it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I advise the committee that we will not support this amendment. We are very anxious to conclude our business today. We are trying to facilitate the completion of the report on the affordable housing Bill so that legislation can be introduced to start to address the housing crisis in a meaningful way, with the provision of affordable housing to rent...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: He should vote for the Bill then.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 and Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2021: Discussion (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister and thank him for coming in. I apologise for being late. I was in my office and thought we were having this meeting on Teams. I would have hated to miss the party. I pay tribute to the former Minister, Eoghan Murphy. I served with him on Dublin City Council and while I disagreed with his politics, I always admired his energy, commitment and enthusiasm for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Fianna Fáil will be opposing this proposal. It is similar to the first one brought forward by Sinn Féin and is political virtue signalling. We all understand that cost rental means affordable rental accommodation. As with the serviced sites fund, funding can only be applied to affordable homes that are provided for purchase or rent. The funding cannot be applied to for-profit...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It is not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: The motion calls for the removal of the provision in the legislation to create a shared equity loan scheme. The details of the scheme are not actually going to be in the legislation and we all know that. Therefore what Deputy Ó Broin and others are opposing here is the principle of the State providing financial support to people who are paying more in rent than they would on a mortgage...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: That is not true.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It is not true.