Results 1-20 of 192 for speaker:Alison Comyn

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I join colleagues in thanking the Belgian ambassador for her many years of service and wishing her bonne chance in her new adventures. I stand here, on the last day of term, with a sense of gratitude that I have had an opportunity to raise so many local and national issues. It is a privilege to be able to do so and we do not do it alone. Without wanting to sound like an Oscar winner, I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I want to raise an issue of serious concern today that was reported by one of my former colleagues, Mr. John Kierans, in the Drogheda Independent this week relating to ambulance cover in Drogheda and the wider north-east region. Paramedics quoted in the article say that Drogheda is regularly left without a local ambulance as crews are being dispatched long distances for non-urgent calls that...

Seanad: Sport: Statements (16 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I am sharing time with Senator Rabbitte, five minutes each.

Seanad: Sport: Statements (16 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank the Minister of State for coming here today. I rise today as Ireland continues to bask not just in sunshine but also in the success of one of our finest athletes, Katie Taylor. Her brilliance on the world stage continues to inspire, reminding us what is possible with talent, support and opportunity. Katie's journey lit a path that many others have since followed. Indeed the way...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: This past Sunday, like many of my Oireachtas colleagues, I had the honour to attend the National Day of Commemoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. It was a really moving and dignified ceremony remembering all those who died in past wars and on service with the UN and honouring all who have served in our Defence Forces. While I stood there, I found myself thinking not just of those we...

Seanad: Transport Policy: Statements (10 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, and the Department for all the incredible work carried out, even in the short time the current Government has been in office, to improve connectivity, reduce transport and commuting costs, improve EV charging, increase train and bus options, and, especially in my home town of Drogheda, effectively cutting the cost of a ticket...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I welcome one piece of vital infrastructure in County Meath, although I am shocked another project just a couple of kilometres from County Louth will not be included in the national development plan. There is a widespread welcome for the green light given to the Slane bypass in County Meath. It is much-needed infrastructure that will save time and countless lives. I acknowledge the work...

Seanad: Post Office Network: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I speak in support of this matter, which goes far beyond simple logistics or commercial viability. I speak of our post office network, a cornerstone of Irish community life, and the urgent need to ensure its survival and sustainability. The post office is not just a facility. It goes even beyond a public service. It is a social connector and, in many parts of rural and regional Ireland, a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: Or, indeed, Louth. I was there this morning. It is looking very good.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: LOITV is probably suffering similar hurdles.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: What are both organisations doing to communicate more strongly the message that piracy is holding them back and the damage it is doing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: So, this is something we could work on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank the witnesses for attending. A lot of my queries have been answered. I have to concur with my colleague Deputy Byrne: the witnesses provide a vital service, and we thank them very much for that. There is no question that, as they themselves said, GAA+ and LOITV broaden the appeal of the sports to so many who cannot get to the venues for reasons of vulnerability, finances, etc. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: Like many parents, I probably spend a lot of time nowadays trying to get children off screens rather than onto them. It is magnificent that these services are offered, including the streaming services and the apps, etc., but what is being done in terms of outreach programmes, perhaps with juvenile clubs such as Cúl Camps, to try to get them engaged in real life, as they say, too?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: Is it particularly connected to LOITV at any stage?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I have one quick, mischievous question. Does the weather in Ireland have any kind of correlation with a bump in viewership? Are people staying away from stadiums and turning on the TV when there is bad weather?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank all the witnesses very much for coming in. As a journalist of three decades, before I took on a new career as a Senator, I understand the challenges that we have had and the challenges that we face. I have had connections with the NUJ and Séamus Dooley and Trevor Keegan over the years. However, I presume there will not be a conflict of interest. As a former mother of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank Mr. Kane. We are very short on time. I understand the point. We might move on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: I do not know if anyone else wants to come in on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Alison Comyn: The only thing I would observe is that many local and regional presses would have closed down if it were not for the introduction of the likes of the local democracy positions. There is a fine balance between whether one closes or not.