Results 1-20 of 118 for long speaker:Chris Andrews

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Integration of LGFA and Camogie Association with the GAA: Discussion (10 Apr 2024)

Chris Andrews: ...for events like that? These are the obstacles the witnesses are going to have. There is huge reluctance in a club I know of. There was an all-weather Prunty pitch put in and some of the male long-standing members of the club objected to women playing on that particular pitch. There is huge resistance to it, so the witnesses' job is difficult and, as was said, it is complex....

Services for those Seeking Protection in Ireland: Statements (30 Jan 2024)

Chris Andrews: ...would they? The international protection system has never worked and we have been saying this for years. The Government approach has been shambolic from the start. Decisions have taken way too long. We need an efficient, compassionate and enforced immigration system just like Canada or Australia. We need to have effective control over our borders. People are frustrated when they hear...

Housing and Homeless Prevention: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (23 Jan 2024)

Chris Andrews: ...until these apartments are made affordable. If that is what it takes to make them affordable then it must be done. There is still no affordable housing scheme in place. The community has waited far too long for these new homes. The residents of Seán Moore Road are enduring construction noise from 7 a.m. each day, and the construction works are so extensive that they are concerned...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (17 Jan 2024)

Chris Andrews: ...ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason there is no appeals process in relation to a request for an increase to a payment (details supplied) for persons who are on long-term; the reason there has been no increase of this payment to reflect the increase in rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1347/24]

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) (No. 2) Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...will wake up in emergency accommodation. I met one family today who are in a homeless hub. For them, with three children, what they are going through is absolutely devastating. It is traumatic. The long-term effect cannot be underestimated and we should not be accepting this as a normal behaviour. This Bill will protect workers and families who pay their rent on time - renters who...

Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (28 Nov 2023)

Chris Andrews: We have a long and proud tradition of supporting the United Nations peacekeeping missions. Ireland is the only state to have continuous deployment on UN and UN-mandated peace operations since 1958. We should be immensely proud of that commitment to peace and stability. We should stand fully opposed to any attempts to undermine our highly respected standing on the international stage....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Risk Management (23 Nov 2023)

Chris Andrews: .... It was traumatic and I distinctly remember being in the areas affected and the devastation caused for residents. I know the Irish Red Cross intervened and work has been done in Ringsend along the River Dodder, which has made a significant difference to the residents and given them a sense of security. The Sandymount flood protection project was initiated in 2003 following the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Nov 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...council-owned properties and flat complexes that are in unacceptable condition. Some of the complexes were built in the thirties and they are now destroyed with dampness and mould. They have been long designated for regeneration but the process could not be moving any slower. "Glacial" is the only word that could be used to describe the process. Glover's Court is one example and Pearse...

Capital Support for Sports Facilities: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...will help build a healthier society and increase participation in sport. At present the Government's approach clearly is not working. Participation rates are moving at a snail's pace and are a long way off the Government's targets. In our alternative budget, Sinn Féin provided for increased capital funding to reopen the large-scale sport infrastructure fund for a fresh round....

Situation in the Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Statements (18 Oct 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...of Ireland to hold Israel to account. We hear a lot of people talking about peace but without justice, there can be no peace. The time for the Irish Government to act in unison with the EU has long passed. The Irish Government must step forward and take action. We urgently need to see a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Ireland needs to boycott, divest and sanction Israel. We...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child Abuse (12 Oct 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...acts. Six months have passed now and the board of St. John Ambulance Ireland remains largely the same. Judge Dr. Geoffrey Shannon's recommendations still have not been implemented. The two long-standing board members who were meant to resign still have not. One left, and the other is now the interim chair. That seems like another kick in the teeth for survivors. I was talking to Mick...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Sep 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...issue at the core of this dispute is simple, it is how the management of local authorities has refused to engage on this and have allowed this to go on. It is beyond me. This should have been addressed a long time ago. During the years of the harsh austerity measures, these workers stepped up and took on increased responsibilities and duties. Workers are seeking that the increased...

Investment in Football: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jul 2023)

Chris Andrews: .... Crucially, it is based on evidence, namely, an audit of the current infrastructure. I welcome that, under the plans, 50% of the funds will go to grassroots football. It is important the Government would carry out a long-overdue national sports facilities audit. From this, we would have a national sports facilities strategy. This would mean facilities for all sports would be...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...its voice on the European Council as a voice for peace? For decades Ireland was to the fore as a mediator in conflict, working for peaceful solutions, but that voice of Ireland has been silent for too long. We are hiding behind the pretence that Europe is restricting our taking a principled stand on the mayhem, apartheid and terrorism Israel is imposing on Palestinian people. As an...

Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (13 Jun 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...products to new generations will always be synonymous with further deterioration of public health. Regulation provides a viable means of ensuring the protection of our communities. It is a long time since I was a young person. Therefore, I met with a group of young people to discuss this issue and find out what they think. They made a few points I thought were worth hearing. They...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...in the pre-legislative scrutiny stage with many proposed reforms criticised by many stakeholders in the committee. That being said, there are many positive steps in this Bill that will bring about long overdue reform and create effective oversight and accountability for An Garda Síochána, which both gardaí and the public will welcome. This Bill sets out to abolish local...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Centres (2 Feb 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...a 15-minute city impossible because it will take two bus journeys for people to reach the Meath Hospital. When they arrive there and get off the second bus journey, they will then have to take a long walk up to the hospital. This issue is about the restricting of access. This move is restricting access for older people in Ringsend and Irishtown to community services. People are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (26 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...entrust the local authorities to fix this problem which has been there for decades. The homes are passed with just a bit of paint or bleach, which some tenants are given. The days for that are long gone. Government needs to intervene and ensure that the funding is there. The funding can be there if the Government is committed to it. It is not being taken seriously. We need action....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (26 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...levels of damp and mould. We know that mould has a serious impact on the health of young and old, in particular. A young child died because of mould in a flat in the UK. The time for concern is long gone. We need action now. The chance of the council sorting out this mess and these issues is long gone. The Government needs to intervene directly. It needs to set up a task force with...

Climate Action Plan 2023: Statements (18 Jan 2023)

Chris Andrews: ...to reduce emissions, but the tenants in Bishop Street or Rathmines Avenue do not see or feel any benefit from all these announcements. They are living in neglect and have been neglected for too long. I was in McDonagh House and Pearse House recently meeting with residents and, almost without exception, every flat had serious dampness and mould problems, the level of which has serious...