Results 1-20 of 3,940 for speaker:Mark Ward

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: The Government has broken its promises to carers. In the general election, the Government promised to abolish the means tests for carers. This was another broken promise. In this budget, so little money has been allocated that at this rate of investment it would take 30 years under Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and, in the case of the Minister of State, Independents, to abolish the means...

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: No, we are sharing time between the two of us.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I see Deputy Sean Crowe is here. I apologise.

Confidence in the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade: Motion (15 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison are constituents of mine. They are my neighbours and the parents of Harvey who, as we all know, died tragically earlier this year. I got to know Gillian and Stephen very well over the last while. I am really fond of them. They are just an ordinary family trying to do their best for their children and build a life for themselves. They carried...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. I agree with Mr. Herrick when he spoke about ambiguity, incompleteness and lack of clarity. That seems to be the common theme of the speakers. We do not know what we are signing up for. I believe we need an international protection system that is enforced, effective and not rushed, as is happening today. I have significant concerns...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: Ms O'Keeffe mentioned the 2005 and 2013 Acts and previous Acts. Would the Acts that were there previously not allow us to go through this process without signing up to the EU migration pact?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I am aware of the decision but I am asking for clarity. The decision was made and signed off on by the Government and was passed in the Houses of the Oireachtas, so it is agreed. We all know that. There have been pacts and legislation previously, though. Would they not allow us to deal with this legislation rather than signing up to the EU migration pact?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I am looking for clarification on a couple of more issues. I have huge concerns about the capacity of the current system to deal with the implications of this legislation. Will the officials clarify whether the general scheme deals with what will happen if it is not possible to hire the number of staff required to meet the timeframes for processing applications and appeals? Will they also...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: Will Ms O'Keeffe clarify whether the general scheme deals with circumstances in which the State would face penalties from the EU and whether the penalties are outlined in the legislation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: Turning to the Department, I seek a clear and concise definition of the term "legal counselling" that is used in the Bill we are talking about. I am still trying to work out an exact definition. Has the Department got one?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: I am trying to see the difference between legal advice and legal counselling. Mr. Herrick mentioned that the IHREC had concerns about it. Are there international examples of the term "legal counselling"? I ask because this is the first time that I have heard of "legal counselling" in this Bill.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: But instead of.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: Discussion (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: Is there any clarification on who or what agency will provide this legal counselling?

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 263. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the search and rescue helicopter is now based out of Weston Airport; if so, the reason it is not based out of Baldonnell Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54859/25]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 390. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 810 of 29 September 2025, the final cost of the works to install the netting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55341/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 718. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on prison capacity for 2024, by prison; and the average bed capacity per prison, by male and female, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55399/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 719. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps his Department and An Garda Síochána are taking to address a reported rise in racist assaults and attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55415/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 820. To ask the Minister for Health the staffing levels in primary care child psychology in the Dublin mid-west; to outline where these services have been paused; the time and the reason these were paused; the steps being taken to resume services; the number of children on waiting lists for psychology services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54681/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (14 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: 821. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the process of accepting a referral for primary care child psychology services; if letters are sent to parents asking to consent their child for services following a GP referral letter; to outline the need for this if a GP referral has been made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54682/25]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Oct 2025)

Mark Ward: The Government has abandoned whole communities to the drug crisis. Yesterday, it reduced the overall budget for drug and alcohol task forces by a shameful 25%. I am a director of an addiction service in Clondalkin and I know the devastating effect this is going to have. The cut will have a negative and immediate effect on some of the most disadvantaged communities. In the area where I...