Results 1-20 of 86 for going forward speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Apr 2024)

Mark Wall: ...contributions. I thank my colleague, Councillor Lacey, for all he has done for the Labour Party. He was first elected in 1993. Today is not the first time I heard about his passion for local government. He made six points. Senator Boyhan has taken the one point I wanted to put forward, namely, the form and financing of local government. Across all our conversations over that period...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Apr 2024)

Mark Wall: ...in and day out. It is important to say that, and we recognised that by inviting the witnesses here. A concern I have about what was mentioned in Mr. Carrothers's contribution was the report that is going to tell us 40% are seeking a new job. Maybe he could tell us what is behind that. I probably know what is behind it. It is important the people he represents, who are the cornerstone...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...report that will stay on a shelf somewhere. That cannot be allowed to happen. We have been here before. I was a councillor for 11 years and I have heard all of these reports and talks about what is going to happen and all that. I am now on this side of the desk and I have an opportunity to try to do something about this. That is why I wanted to be a member of this committee because I...

Seanad: Community Safety and Investment: Motion [Private Members] (28 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...up the confidential relationship that comes with the trust that exists when a community garda is on the ground. That has been mentioned by other colleagues. Sean is involved in community events and is going all around the place. He is working with estates, which is an important part of a community garda's job. One of the issues that community gardaí look after are quality-of-life...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (13 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...Minister of State. I appreciate that reply. The most important thing we can take from it is that we will have a special school in south Kildare in September. That is the message that needs to go out to the many families who ring me and all public representatives in south Kildare because, as I said in my introduction, when you hear the stories you realise the stress on families. The...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: I wish to be associated with the welcome to our distinguished visitors. Given the good news the Minister has brought forward in respect of those in full-time education up to the age of 18, I will again raise the issue of foster carers. I know the Minister announced in the budget an additional payment of €75 for foster carers, €25 of which came into place from 1 January. Given...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Housing Schemes (1 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...I was elected to this House that I have raised this matter. We discussed this on the last day the Minister of State was here and he has heard of similar experiences in his own offices. Not a day goes by but I deal with an application for, or a query about, a housing aid or housing adaptation grant. As I have said, and will put on record again, these are very worthwhile grants that can...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Housing Schemes (1 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...it is a bit of déjà vubecause the last time we spoke, this report was with Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for discussion on changes to be brought forward. At the same time, as the Minister of State said, people are not being allowed to live independently in their homes, which this grant would give them the opportunity to do. Will...

Seanad: Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2024)

Mark Wall: ...to ensure that we hear the testimony of all those women without fear of any residual legal costs. There has been much commentary and concern in this House, previously and again today, about those who may wish to come forward to highlight their experiences but who are concerned that they may be barred from doing so by the terms of reference that have been set out. We are discussing that...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (30 Jan 2024)

Mark Wall: ..., because we have been here before. In 2005, former Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte introduced a short amending Bill that aimed to fix one particular deficit in the legislation. It was accepted by the Government and became law. At the time, the then Minister for Justice commented that he had produced a Bill to overhaul the system, that it was before the Attorney General for...

Seanad: An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An Teaghlach), 2023: An Dara Céim - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Jan 2024)

Mark Wall: ...have debated in this House on numerous occasions the value of caregivers in the State. Getting back to the Bill before us, Labour Party colleagues introduced amendments in the Dáil on how we might go about amending this language, and we have also tabled amendments to be debated on the next Stage in this House. I acknowledge the work of my party leader, Deputy Bacik, as Chairperson of...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (7 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: ...for more than ten years. They have provided a letter from the nursing home stating that their spouse would never return home and would live out their life in that nursing home. Unfortunately, they were told three weeks ago that this will not qualify them for the living alone increase even though, for all intents and purpose, they have lived ten years by themselves in that house. They...

Seanad: Disability Allowance: Motion (11 Oct 2023)

Mark Wall: I thank Senator Clonan and others for bringing forward this important motion. As Senator Black has done, I pay particular tribute to Senator Clonan. I know this matter is close to his heart, given his direct experience of challenges faced by people with disabilities and their families and of trying to navigate the dysfunctional support systems we have. He is a tremendous advocate for...

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

Mark Wall: I, too, support calls for a debate in this Chamber on what has been ongoing since the weekend. As has been said, it is important that the international community come together and that we debate this matter in the House to determine where we can go. We have all seen the horrific videos and photographs online of innocents being destroyed in this conflict. I totally support what has been...

Seanad: Care Payments: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jul 2023)

Mark Wall: .... A year ago they means tested me and over €2.80 carer's was taken off me. I'm only receiving half-rate carers so I'm not even worth €130 to the State. Regardless of what my husband earns, this was my money, money going into my account to give me some kind of self-worth in the struggles I have day in and day out. Because of my son's condition, I have to be available 24-7...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jul 2023)

Mark Wall: ...want to be associated with Senator Carrigy's remarks and the work he has done with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism. I am a member of that committee, which has done terrific work. We look forward to the implementation of the 109 recommendations set out in our report. I encourage all Members to do the training, which I hope to avail of next week at the next session. At 4 p.m....

Seanad: Ban on Dumping New Products Bill 2022: Second Stage (5 Jul 2023)

Mark Wall: ...of State has accepted that and brought it in as part of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, but it has not been rolled out yet and we need to see that legislation. There are negotiations going on with the City and County Managers Association etc. to try to get that up and running but it needs to happen quickly. Returning to the Bill before us, the Labour Party is happy...

Seanad: Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2023)

Mark Wall: ...their fair cut. We think the Bill is very well intentioned in its efforts to address this power imbalance but we have concerns about how effective it can be. As is too often the case with the Government, the Bill’s provisions do not go far enough to make a real and meaningful impact on the industry and how it protects primary producers. Helpful and constructive amendments were...

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

Mark Wall: ...local authorities and try to standardise the facilities that are available to the Civil Defence. The third ask I have for the Minister of State relates to communication. I hope this Bill will go some way towards addressing that. We are aware of the Minister of State's remit in the Department of Defence and also that the Civil Defence comes under the remit of local authorities. Its...

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

Mark Wall: ...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 called for a debate on the issue. In fairness, the Government has brought forward a number of proposals to finance and rectify the problem. However, the details on how this would be forthcoming in reality are not there at the moment,...