Ciarán Cuffe Dáil Speech Environment Justice Disability

Speeches by Ciarán in Dáil Éireann

Statement on Transport 21 2007 14 November 2007 "I am not convinced that Transport 21 is a plan for the sustainable development of transport. The Green Party is concerned that placing 80% of the capital investment over the next several years in roads is not the right way to promote social cohesion, economic success or environmental sustainability"

On Civil Unions 2007 31 October 2007 "It can be difficult to enter into an unconventional relationship. When the Green Party was approached by Fianna Fáil six months ago, many believed the relationship would not last"

On the EU Reform Treaty 2007 16th October 2007 "Together with many members of the Green Party I consider myself to be a proud European and a proud Irish person. I am a friend of Europe and believe that Europe has been a friend to Ireland since we joined the European Economic Community in 1973"

Green Party Waste Motion 2006 21 June 2006 "Everybody wants to recycle, but they are currently not being given enough opportunity to do so, despite Government pronouncements. The recent Forfás waste management benchmarking report and the European Environment Agency’s report, entitled The European environment — State and Outlook 2005, highlighted Ireland’s growing waste generation levels."

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2005 24 May 2006

"Should all the major projects be flicked through at the stroke of a pen? Perhaps we should take a bit of time to decide on some of these larger projects which will be in place for 100 or 200 years."

Dáil Adjournment Debate on the Sexual Trafficking of Women 10 May 2006

"Ireland has failed to transpose into law the 2002 EU Council framework decision on combating trafficking in human beings which obliged all member states to legislate to criminalise the trafficking of human beings for exploitation."

Statement regarding the 25 February 2006 Dublin Riot 2 March 2006

"The underbelly of the Celtic tiger was exposed last Saturday. I urge the Minister to address the exclusion, as well as the criminality, that gave rise to the violence."

Building Control Bill 2005 14 February 2006

"We need to build better buildings, instill public confidence in those who design our buildings and recognise the qualifications of such people. We should improve the quality of the buildings being built in Ireland, not only in terms of their energy performance and their accessibility but across the board"

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 2 February 2006

"If we engage in the race to the bottom proposed in this Bill, we will end up with a small number of large players in control of the retail market here. That is not good for communities, family businesses, towns or rural communities".

Private Members' Bill on Climate Change Targets Bill 2005 29 November 2005

"Politicians must take a long-term view. We must move away from taxing labour and enterprise towards examining environmental damage and taxing finite resources and poor planning."

Private Members Motion on G8 Summit 2005 29 June 2005

"The Taoiseach reiterated Ireland's absolute commitment to achieving by 2007 the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNP on overseas development assistance. That is what the Taoiseach said but it will not be delivered."

Ciaran's Speech to Convention in Cork 14 May 2005

"If we can combine the confidence of the Boston model with the social concern of Berlin we could build an amazing place for our children."

Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters

9 December 2004

"We need to establish a body to review development plans at a draft stage. With all due respect to the Minister, Deputy Roche, I do not think he is the appropriate person to review development plans to ensure that they comply with national strategies, such as the sustainable development strategy".

Planning and Development Bill (Amendment) Bill 2003

1 December 2004

"People are being fenced-in and prevented from exercising their ancient right to walk across lands".

Overseas Development Aid Budget 12 October 2004

"A plea for the new Junior Minister Conor Lenihan to keep the Government's promise to raise Overseas Development Aid to 0.7% of GDP by 2007."

Water Services Bill 2003 6 October 2004

"A conservation ethos of placing new emphasis on efficiency is necessary to save the Government and the taxpayer millions of euro."

Sustainable Communities Bill 2004 6th July 2004
"A Green Party bill to require the drawing up and implementation of a strategy to promote sustainability among

local communities."

Housing Provisions: Motion 26 May 2004

"We want the Minister to ensure that 10,000 social housing units are built every year until the waiting lists are clear."

Broadcast (Amendment) Bill 2003 10th December 2003
"A bill to restrict to advertising of certain products, such as toys and foods with high salt, sugar or fat contents, to children."

Constitutional Right to Housing 2003 11 November 2003

(Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution (No. 2) Bill)

"It is high time that recognition was given to a right to housing within the Constitution".

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003 2nd July 2003

"A bill we described as anti-family, anti-tourism and anti-fun."

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2003 26th June 2003
"An amendment to the Planning and Development Act 2000 to introduce measures to discourage land speculation."

Offences Against the State Act 2003 25th June 2003

The Green Party expresses concerns about the human rights implications of the Bill

Protection of the Environment Bill 2003 29th May 2003
Ciarán draws attention to problems with the Government's bill.

Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 21st May 2003

An act to license indoor events but that may result in an excess of bureaucracy that may pose difficulties for those holding small gigs and concerts.

Local Government (Amendment) Bill 8th May 2003

This bill ensures that members of the Dáil cannot also be councillors but sadly it did not allow for directly elected Mayors.

National Transport Authority Bill 2003 26th March 2003
An act to broaden the focus of transportation planning and infrastructure provision by amalgamating the National Roads Authority and the Rail Procurement Agency.

Waste Management (Amendment) Bill 2002 20th November 2002
An amendment to the Waste Management Act 2002 to promote a "zero waste" policy.

Last updated 24 May 2006

Ciarán Cuffe is a TD for the Dún Laoghaire Dáil Constituency. Ciarán can be contacted at Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or 96 Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire Tel. 284 6060 or 618 3082, Fax 618 4341, Email Ciaran CiaranCuffe.com, or Text Ciaran on 087 265 2075.