Results 101-120 of 487 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

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

Vincent P Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Tánaiste. Along with the paralysis of the ongoing suspension of Stormont, the other main issue of deep concern to citizens on the island of Ireland and further afield is, as other Senators said, the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill the Westminster government seems to be persisting in progressing through its legislative process. This...

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (25 May 2023)

Vincent P Martin: The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is very welcome to the Chamber as always and I realise that many of my points have been covered by previous speakers. I confirm that the Green Party grouping will support this legislative initiative. The Bill is fundamentally about health practitioners. It contains a welcome development in response to Brexit in respect of UK medical graduates because since...

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

Vincent P Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Civil Defence is a fantastic voluntary organisation with a proud history of more than 70 years. It plays a vital role in protecting and safeguarding the lives of people throughout Ireland. It is responsible for providing emergency response and relief services during times of crisis such as floods, storms, fires, landslides and other disasters....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 May 2023)

Vincent P Martin: It was widely reported in the media yesterday that the Ulster Volunteer Force, UVF, provided answers to a family concerning a 1974 murder in Belfast. The late John Crawford, a father of nine, was shot dead in west Belfast in January 1974. Almost 50 years later, the family of the late Mr. Crawford was given a report by loyalist paramilitaries setting out the circumstances of the killing....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products (16 May 2023)

Vincent P Martin: The Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, is welcome to Seanad Éireann. Friedreich's ataxia is a rare, progressive, life-limiting neuromuscular condition. This disease was first recognised in 1863, and after many decades of research, the first and only treatment called omaveloxolone has recently been discovered. It can slow progression of this illness by 50%. I commend the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products (16 May 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I thank the Minister of State. Are we at the ready? Will things change? Sufferers want assurances. We have a track record of being in the Vauxhall non-league conference in terms of speed, when it comes to approving and funding such drugs. What is stopping Ireland being in the premier division? Then again, should we not all be equal in the context of the EU, as we are equal members of...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (10 May 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit.The Green Party grouping welcomes this short Bill put before the House as a step in the right direction as part of the overall jigsaw. It comes from the Government. To give some credit to the Government, it appears to be in listening mode. More judges have been called for, for as long as I remembering practising in the Law Library. To see a Bill...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 May 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I thank her and the Department officials for engaging with me in respect of concerns which I have flagged but are not fully allayed. I would like to raise three issues under section 13. I have not tabled an amendment, but I am discussing it now to ensure it is kept alive on Report Stage. I hope the Government will deal with this as it would...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 May 2023)

Vincent P Martin: The Minister of State might take note of that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Accession Progress of North Macedonia: Engagement with Foreign Minister of North Macedonia (10 May 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I can only anticipate what was said but I also totally support North Macedonia's application and admire its government for the quality and professionalism of the way it has gone about it. I concur with other contributors and associate myself with their remarks. I apologise that I could not be here earlier but I have read the submission and have been following the meeting. I thank the Chair...

Seanad: Public Water Connection Charges: Motion (26 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I begin by welcoming the Minister of State to the Chamber and by commending Senator Garvey for leading out on this issue. It is enthusiastically supported, as one might imagine, by Senators Pauline O'Reilly, the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, and myself. We have been campaigning to seek positive inroads for many a long year...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (25 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: The Minister of State is very welcome to Seanad Éireann. While it is good to see him in the Chamber, many people in Kildare will be disappointed that the Minister for Health is not available to answer this question today. It has been reported that about 200 women from County Kildare are unnecessarily compelled to travel to the Coombe hospital every month for antenatal maternity care...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (25 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: We also commend and are grateful to the hard-working staff in the Coombe but there is an avoidable, unnecessary situation. With respect, there is no comfort in the Minister of State's reply so the campaign will go on. I urge the Minister of State to use his ministerial influence to give us this assurance. He gets it. He is a dad of young children. He knows this is unnecessary. He knows...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: It is most appropriate the Seanad has set aside time later to discuss the crucially important report of the independent review group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces. I thank the Women of Honour for speaking out about their experience in the Defence Forces. Their courage and bravery in sharing their stories has brought to light the urgent need for change within our...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (20 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: The Minister of State is, as always, very welcome to the Chamber. He stated that the Bill is a further strengthening of the existing laws. He also stated that transparency is key and, with frank candour, accepted that lobbying is a part of the greater workings of the democratic system. Lobbying can sometimes be misunderstood and misrepresented as something untoward but, of course, once it...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (20 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I propose that notwithstanding the order of the House agreed today, Second Stage of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2023 be taken at 12.45 p.m. and that the sitting now be suspended until the said 12.45 p.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (28 Mar 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Seanad. The announcement by the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, of free school transport for all was initially greeted by many with great fanfare. The reality on the ground for some communities is entirely different.It has turned the lives of people living in the communities of Rathcoffey and Straffan upside down. It has...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (28 Mar 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I thank the Minister of State for outlining the facts. A number of parents are tuned in live to this at home. They will be putting all their hopes in the review but they have not heard anything new. They feel they are running around in circles. They are losing hope. They simply want an adequate bus service of sufficient capacity to bring all their children to the school. I know that...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement and Windsor Framework: Motion (8 Mar 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State.I commend Sinn Féin on tabling this motion and for the tone, tenor and language of its Members' opening contributions. As no doubt proud republicans, it demonstrated a generosity that was so needed in the past. For the future, including the current big challenge but even looking beyond that, we can take great strength from the past. Then UK Prime...