Results 181-200 of 730 for speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: Garda Reserve: Statements (31 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State. The Garda Reserve was launched by Senator McDowell, the then Minister, with a view to bolstering policing in the Republic. The intention, we were told at the time, was that unpaid reservists could aid full-time Garda members in carrying out their duties and, in some cases, free them up from the most basic of tasks, thus helping to boost front-line policing....

Seanad: 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement: Motion (30 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I too welcome the Tánaiste to the House to discuss this important matter. I also thank the Fianna Fáil Senators, in particular Senators Blaney and McGreehan, for using their Private Members' time to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which the Labour Party supports in full. It is, of course, only right that we mark this important milestone on this island. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (30 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I thank Ms Campbell and Ms Kinross for joining us today. Everything they have said has been very informative. A couple of my questions have already been asked, but I would like to tease them out a bit more. On the assessment of need, it has been brought to our attention that the assessment of need in other jurisdictions has a legislative base in exactly what it contains. Is it the case in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Homelessness Issues: Discussion (30 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I thank the witnesses for attending and, as been said by other committee members, for the work they all do. It is important to many people when we look at the numbers that were announced recently. I have two specific questions. The last time Ms Hayes was before the committee we spoke about people from Dublin moving to my good county in Kildare and there was an issue regarding them...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Homelessness Issues: Discussion (30 May 2023)

Mark Wall: No.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Homelessness Issues: Discussion (30 May 2023)

Mark Wall: Excellent. That is good news.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Homelessness Issues: Discussion (30 May 2023)

Mark Wall: That is the reason I raised it. It is something new that has come to my attention. Identifying the legislation that is governing this is causing me a problem with local authorities. I will contact Threshold. I know local authorities have also been in contact with Threshold but it is just to come back on that. My final question may have been answered. I will put on record, as I did...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I support Senator Ó Donnghaile's comments about East Belfast GAA. The fact that the Cathaoirleach is taking that on board is most welcome. The first item I wish to raise is one I have raised a number of times in this House, namely, the Life Saving Equipment Bill 2017. This morning as I made my way to the House, I listened to my local radio station KFM where a local Independent...

Seanad: Naming of National Children's Hospital for Dr. Kathleen Lynn: Motion (24 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell. I welcome to the Visitors Gallery members of the 1916 Relatives Association, who are guests of Senator Fitzpatrick.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Child Benefit) Bill 2023: Second Stage (24 May 2023)

Mark Wall: The Labour Party supports this Bill, as we did in the Lower House. The purpose of the Bill is to give legislative effect to the child benefit summer bonus of €100 for each qualifying child. That is very welcome. Many families are struggling. The Minister said that in her speech and she is recognising that by giving those families an additional €100. I wish to ask one...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (23 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I too welcome the Minister to the House this evening. The Labour Party welcomes the introduction of Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022. This Bill is long overdue and will bring a number of improvements to our criminal law. I am particularly pleased to see proposed improvement provisions to help with domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as provisions to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Mark Wall: Positive.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister and her officials to the committee and thank them for making themselves available. It is very important to this committee that they do that and that we get the chance to talk to them on a number of issues in regard to education. The first part I want to speak on is the summer programme. The Minister mentioned the €40 million and the 20% increase overall, and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (23 May 2023)

Mark Wall: That is fine. Colleagues are anxious to get in so I will let them have the time. I thank the Minister for those replies.

Seanad: Civil Defence Bill 2023: Second Stage (18 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I thank my colleague from County Kildare for the introduction. The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. I welcome the Bill, as does my party, the Labour Party. As has been said by colleagues, the Bill is long overdue given the importance of the Civil Defence to us all in our communities. This Bill will underpin an organisation that has been at the heart of community events in...

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (18 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister. Tourism is a major contributor to the economy. It is a key employer in our communities and adds to development in many of them, as does heritage. The Minister mentioned that tourism was worth almost €10 billion to the economy in 2019, which is very positive. She also mentioned the latest CSO figures, which are worth repeating. Irish residents took 13.3...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I congratulate the Kildare under-20s all-Ireland winning team. It was a tremendous day for any lilywhite who was in Cavan last Saturday and for all of those involved. I thank the team and management for creating such an atmosphere. Obviously, I offer my commiserations to Sligo but it was a great day to be a lilywhite. I want to talk about retained firefighters. There was a breakdown in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (16 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I thank Mr. Harris for coming in. It is important to start with some statistics. This is our 48th meeting and our 19th public session, which shows the importance of what we are discussing today. To reference the AsIAm report for more, 86% of autistic people feel that they do not get the same chance, and 57% of the public recognise that autistic people are treated in a different way. That...

Seanad: Report of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media: Statements (11 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I too welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is a very important and timely discussion we are having. I also thank the members of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media for producing this report because it is a conversation we need to have. I will talk in my contribution about a conversation we need to have around the kitchen table in every house in this...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 May 2023)

Mark Wall: I want to raise the Not our Fault campaign led by Sam and Odette Doran, which other Members have raised previously in this House. Each Wednesday Sam and Odette are outside Leinster House in respect of apartment defects. I was lucky enough to speak with them last week about their campaign and what they are hoping to achieve. There is an urgent need for a debate on this. Other Members have...