Results 1-20 of 1,185 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (29 Jun 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: We have known each other a long time, a Chathaoirligh. I was first elected as a councillor in 2004 and I know that any member of any local authority in this country worth their salt has your number. You are a tremendous campaigner, a tremendous worker and I think you will be a tremendous Cathaoirleach. Apart from being a local authority member, I grew up on the Navan Road and in Cabra and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: The issue I would like to raise today is in some ways a follow-on from what the previous speaker said. It is the issue of maternity leave for workers who have become new parents during the coronavirus crisis. In particular, I wish to bring the House’s attention the campaign which calls for a temporary three-month extension of maternity leave for those workers who have become new...

Seanad: Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (16 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: With the permission of the Leas-Chathaoirleach, I will share time with Senator Byrne. I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House and I congratulate him on his appointment. It is an excellent appointment. The urgency and energy he will bring to his portfolio will be very welcome. He can be assured of all our support. In bringing the Bill before the Seanad, the Minister of...

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I am delighted to welcome the Minister to the House. When Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party put aside their differences to form a Government they did so to try to create a stable Government that would address climate change and the threat of Covid-19 and re-establish our society and economy. This third piece of legislation that has been brought before the House today is a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I ask the Seanad to show support for the Debenhams workers. In 1996, the great British retailer opened its first shop in the Jervis Shopping Centre in the constituency of Dublin Central. It had a great business, grew and was profitable, and then moved to the site of Roches Stores. On 9 April this year, it tactically moved its business from being a high street, shopfront business to being...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: The State has committed to pay statutory redundancy, and again today the State is supporting workers with the July stimulus plan. This is a tactical insolvency. I ask the House to ask the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to write to the liquidator to ask, and if possible instruct, that in the hierarchy of creditors the employees be placed at the highest level so they can be...

Seanad: Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I offer my condolences to the family of Dr. Ali who died so tragically after looking after so many others. I also commend all the healthcare workers and professionals, and everybody who supports them to do their work. I congratulate the Minister on his appointment to the health portfolio. I am sure he will do a fantastic job. It must be a great honour for him to lead such an important...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: This morning I draw the Seanad's attention to the tragic loss of life of five homeless people in Dublin city this week. They were five people under 40 years, most of them women. That tragic loss of life in one week in this city is unprecedented. I would like the House to join me in offering sympathy to the families and friends of those five people. I want us to offer our support to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I ask the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to bring forward an affordable rental scheme early in autumn. Ensuring that the housing crisis is tackled is a key objective of the Government. The issue of supply is fundamental to achieving that aim.Critically, the State must address the issue of supply. The commitment of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I would like to draw the attention of the House to the wonderful State-sponsored free amenity that is the Royal Canal. It runs all the way from the Liffey, at Spencer Dock in my constituency, to Longford, a distance of almost 150 km. During the pandemic it has been an amazing amenity for the people of the north inner city, providing a space for walking, cycling and picnicking. It has taken...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Second Stage (31 Jul 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. I thank the Minister of State for bringing this legislation to the House. I have not had the opportunity previously to address him and I thank him for coming in. I am speaking as Fianna Fáil spokesperson for housing, local government and heritage. I was first elected to Dublin City Council in 2004 and was in Dublin City Council for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I support the comments of the leader of the Green Party in the Seanad, Senator Pauline O'Reilly. It would be helpful if the Leader wrote to the President of the European Commission and emphasised the importance and urgency of a progressive migration programme for the European Union. Europe should be leading on this. It has been far too slow. We should call on the President of the European...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I call on the Leader to use her office to call on the Minister for Finance, who has publicly said he is engaging with the banks, to engage on behalf of borrowers and mortgage holders, whether holders of home mortgages or business borrowers. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke it was welcome that the banks supported borrowers. However, the deadline for applications to mortgage breaks is 30...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Today is the last day of September, but since August residential communities right across Dublin city have been tormented and terrorised by the sound and the sight of illegal fireworks. This is not limited to any one part of the city; it is taking place right across the city and, I am sure, in other residential areas around the country. The fireworks are illegal. It is illegal to purchase...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Committee Work Programme: Discussion (6 Oct 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It sounds a good idea. Did the previous committee agree terms of reference that could be circulated with the five reports?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Committee Work Programme: Discussion (6 Oct 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: We can consider them and agree that next week.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Committee Work Programme: Discussion (6 Oct 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Have we finished with Deputy Ó Broin's item? We have not touched on the homeless one.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Committee Work Programme: Discussion (6 Oct 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank the Deputy for the proposal, which I am happy to support. I would like the committee to examine homelessness from the perspective of Dublin city. I raised homeless deaths in the Seanad in July. In one week, there were five homeless deaths in Dublin city. It is a very serious issue and one the committee should consider. The phasing out of dormitory-type accommodation is welcome,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Committee Work Programme: Discussion (6 Oct 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: There are two elements to it: the homeless accommodation provided by private operators - this is often provided by private security firms - and the over-concentration of homeless facilities in small geographic areas in Dublin's inner city.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Committee Work Programme: Discussion (6 Oct 2020)

Mary Fitzpatrick: These are all issues in which we are all interested. They will all be covered when the Minister gives us an update on his programme for housing because they are all included in the programme for Government.