Results 41-60 of 316 for likes to work speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

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Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Like previous speakers, I welcome the €96.6 billion budget. I have had a lot of phone calls from people in my area of County Carlow today. The expansion of hot meals to 900 more primary schools is really important, as is the free book scheme for textbooks and workbooks, which will be extended to up to junior certificate in secondary school. These things affect every family. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Enhanced Transport and Mobility Support Options for People with Disabilities: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (4 Oct 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: In my local area - I have to mention Carlow again - if someone lives in a quite rural area and the service does not have Garda-vetted and trained drivers, there is no plan B. In County Carlow, there some very rural areas. Has the Department ever explored having a volunteer system whereby someone with an accessible vehicle would be able to assist and be available on a part-time basis,...

School Transport 2023-2024: Statements (3 Oct 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: There are massive issues with school transport. There has been a 22% increase in the number of tickets allocated but, in some cases, there are no buses to operate the service. Last year, funding was put in place to increase capacity but loads of children were left without a seat. Some families in Carlow tell me there is no driver to serve a central location. They have to wait for a bus...

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

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: As we know, over the course of the two-day European Council summit in Brussels this week, the EU leaders will discuss Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and continued EU support to Ukraine as well as the economy, security, defence, migration and external relations. We have had many challenges in the last year or two years. Communication and information will be key at this summit....

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Challenges Facing Women Accessing Education, Leadership and Political Roles: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the speakers. All of us here, in particular the women, have seen the challenges. Like many, I was a county councillor for over 20 years. Then I became a Senator and am now a Deputy. My battle to get where I am today was a lot harder than it would have been had I been a man. That is the reality and we see it every day. While all women here are so proud to have been Deputies,...

Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 May 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. Like previous speakers, I was one of the first to welcome the Bill to outlaw the grooming of children into crime in 2021. "Fagin's law", as we called it, was a key piece of legislation for Fianna Fáil when we were in opposition, of which I was fully supportive then. Diverting young people from involvement in criminal activity is a key priority for me....

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Integration and Refugee Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (30 May 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the witnesses for coming today. As has been said, there have been huge challenges. There is no question about that. The communication has been unacceptable. There is some accommodation that is not fit for purpose. I question how often it is assessed and who goes to check it. I know of people accommodating people who have not been paid. We must be mindful that we all want to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Services Personnel (25 May 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is important that when we address a Topical Issue, the Minister in question is here to address it. It is very important. I am very respectful that the Minister of State is here but I would have to say that I am concerned. I was contacted by a number of constituents from the constituency both the Minister of State and I represent, namely, Carlow-Kilkenny. Some of them are retained...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Services Personnel (25 May 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: ..., I firmly believe we will hit a crisis across all the emergency services. While I welcome that people are living longer, and we are all glad about this, the cost of living is a significant factor. Everybody has mortgages and a lot more outgoings, which we see daily in our clinics. We are not able to recruit in certain areas. I go back to the retained firefighters, whom I have been...

Extension of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (24 May 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I totally agree with Deputy Connolly. The extension of this Act will allow the hospitality sector to continue to provide outdoor dining seating areas. We must all do what we can to support our hospitality industry, especially after what we saw happen with Covid-19. I was delighted to see the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2023 signed this week, which will...

Central Statistics Office Sexual Violence Survey 2022: Statements (Resumed) (17 May 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: ...with the previous speaker, as did the Minister. The results of the CSO survey are shocking but I think we all know that there are more under-reported numbers and that the numbers we have had up to now definitely did not reflect the true extent of the problem. This report really highlights the importance of having a whole-of-government, zero tolerance approach to domestic, sexual and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (10 May 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Like previous speakers, I deal with housing queries on a daily basis. Lately, there seems to be a huge issue with communication between the Department and local authorities. On issues like this, we must ensure that we are all on the same wavelength. I recently encountered a lady who had to go into emergency accommodation because the ban on evictions was lifted. Her child is autistic and...

Europe Day: Statements (9 May 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. Ireland’s 50th anniversary in the EU is a major milestone in its history. It is an honour for me to mark a successful 50 years of membership of the EU by celebrating Europe Day 2033. I was delighted to participate in the celebrations in Carlow this morning. We had a really big event. I thank Carlow County Development Partnership, including Ms Annette...

Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We have all learned from the past, which is why the Bill seeks to regulate and license construction, quarrying and related activities through a single designated body. As we ramp up our efforts to tackle the housing crisis, we need to ensure that health and safety and correct regulations are strengthened. Houses that were let down by faulty building supplies should be able to be remedied...

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Further Revised) (26 Apr 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister and the Minister of State. It is great to see that the two Departments have merged since 1 March. I believe the merger was vitally important. All of us have seen the great challenges within the system. I see families who come into my clinics on a daily basis who are so upset, as do all of us here. I can honestly say that. It has got to a stage now that although we...

Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: It is important that everyone has access to justice and that are courts are properly resourced to deliver on Government priorities such as the planning and environmental court and new family courts. Last year I encountered one District Court with 111 separate child law and private family law applications before it. This volume of cases is disastrous for children and families affected by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I wish to ask the Minister about gardaí for Carlow. I have highlighted this issue on numerous occasions. Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford are now linked. I recently met local gardaí whom I compliment on the job they do. However, from speaking to the gardaí in Carlow, I believe we need many more community gardaí. That is probably true across the country. For people to...

International Women's Day: Statements (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: ...relationships as the only support. The focus should be on friendship and social interaction which can provide us with support when we need it. Everybody needs a good friend and I am so lucky to be surrounded by strong women in Leinster House. It is the same in County Carlow. I have a lot of women who inspire me every day. Today, for example, a new women's centre, the only one in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessing Justice: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have been at another meeting and apologise if my questions already have been asked. This committee, which is working with adults with disabilities, has heard how prison officers may not be trained in how to deal with mental health issues in a way they need to be and how there is a need for standard training on disability awareness and rights across the criminal justice system by external...

Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I, too, welcome the Bill. It is a long time ago that I, like my parents, became a member of the credit union in Carlow. All my children are now members as well. That is important. Credit unions have always been part of families and communities. Since I first joined, there have been great changes in credit unions but more change is needed. This is the first substantive credit union...