Results 181-195 of 195 for going forward speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Homophobic Bullying: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

Martin Conway: ...in the Visitors Gallery such as GLEN and BeLonGTo. The work they have done has paved the way to improvements. There is legislative provision in place but, hopefully, this will be tightened up going forward. I also await with interest the recommendations in the report of the working group set up by the Minister for Education and Skills. Senator van Turnhout is correct in the sense that...

Seanad: Homophobic Bullying: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

Martin Conway: ...in the Visitors Gallery such as GLEN and BeLonGTo. The work they have done has paved the way to improvements. There is legislative provision in place but, hopefully, this will be tightened up going forward. I also await with interest the recommendations in the report of the working group set up by the Minister for Education and Skills. Senator van Turnhout is correct in the sense that...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: ...country and encourage people throughout the world to holiday in Ireland, both North and South. There has been much talk in recent days about the upcoming Personal Insolvency Bill. I very much look forward to its publication because it will certainly create a road map for people to work their way out of their very difficult circumstances with the assistance of the Government. I hope...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (13 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach arís. She is present almost as often as the Cathaoirleach. It is remarkable that she has been present twice on the one day. This legislation is long overdue and was recommended by the Law Reform Commission in 2007. Even then its recommendation was long overdue. I listened with great interest to Senator Aideen Hayden's contribution. She...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: ...road safety is a political and policy issue, it is not a party political one. The penalty points structure started under the previous Administration and a genuine effort was made under previous Governments to ensure road safety received the priority it needed to reach the relatively good position we are in. My colleague, Senator Pat O'Neill, outlined in detail what has been achieved. I...

Seanad: Schools Staffing (31 Jan 2012)

Martin Conway: ...that there are probably better ways of providing this service than has been the case up to now. I do not believe telling schools this service must now be provided out of budget is the right way to go. This will force school managers trying to compete with the current points system to kick career guidance down the line. The brightest always seem to shine and set the agendas within the...

Seanad: Schools Staffing (31 Jan 2012)

Martin Conway: ...It is important that schools are reminded of their responsibilities under the Education Act 1998. I come from a rural area four hours from Dublin and one hour from Galway and Limerick. Children going to school in cities and their commuter belts tend to be better informed. While teachers have expertise in their own fields, if the career guidance element ceases to be a priority, the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

Martin Conway: I welcome this Bill. Part of me would say it does not go far enough. The legislation is progressive. A person's home is effectively his palace, as Senator Norris indicated. One's home is one's sanctuary and where one ought to feel safe. It is where the State should ensure one feels safe. Senator Brennan stated his wife stays with his daughter when he is in Dublin to be in the Seanad. I...

Seanad: Public Policy and Planning: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: ...National Statistics Board has published a number of surveys which contain some very interesting recommendations. Based on what the Minister of State said earlier, many of those recommendations are going to be taken on board. We can move forward by having access to the facts and by dealing in those facts. In the context of the social agenda, we are facing into a budget in respect of which...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid (5 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: ...overseas development aid is taking it. That is an endorsement of the work we are trying to do in the House. The Government has been proactive on international aid for many years and the people, going back generations, have willingly assisted people in the Third World and in other distressed. Many missionaries and lay people have travelled all over the world to help. This can never be...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: ...will come to the House on 27 October, long overdue as the visit may be. I am very concerned that the nurses and midwives at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick have found it necessary to go out on strike because of what one of them described to me as the war zone conditions in which they work. It is not appropriate or acceptable, and I call on the Leader to have a word with the...

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Martin Conway: ...are feeling the pinch in terms of their rate bills. Is there any joined-up thinking between the Department and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government? The Minister is going to Kilkenny and perhaps he can talk to the Minister, Deputy Hogan, while there. The Minister spoke in his presentation about the benefits of art to people with disabilities in terms of...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2011)

Martin Conway: I listened carefully to the Minister. Going from 12 to five years is a significant improvement. I also welcome the news that we are likely to see the insolvency Bill this side of Christmas. That is significant, although I realise it is part of our commitment under the EU-IMF agreement. Company law in this country is not up to standard or fit for purpose. In the last two years numerous...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2011)

Martin Conway: I commend the Minister. I do not know him but I have always admired his competency. He has proven it today and with the measures that were taken in the first 100 days in Government, such as a reduction in the Taoiseach's salary to €200,000. He was right to acknowledge what the Secretaries General of Departments did because when good things are done, they are not often recognised. I spoke...

Seanad: Whistleblower Legislation: Motion (29 Jun 2011)

Martin Conway: I join colleagues in commending Senator Rónán Mullen for bringing forward this very important Private Members' motion. We lag way behind, unjustifiably so, in bringing forward whistleblower legislation. As was pointed out, such legislation has been in place in the United Kingdom since 1998. When one considers some of the scandals that have happened in this country in recent decades,...