Results 1,661-1,680 of 1,746 for speaker:Barry Ward

Seanad: Deportation Moratorium (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (9 Dec 2020)

Barry Ward: I second the amendment. The words "compassion" and "discretion" have featured particularly in this debate. That is the most important way we can approach this very sensitive issue. In that regard, I fully support the Bill's aims. It is an entirely meritorious matter to bring before the House. I understand the circumstances behind the Senators' decision to sponsor this important Bill....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Dec 2020)

Barry Ward: I wish to raise the issue of non-geographic numbers and premium rate services, which are provided by various institutions, companies and organisations throughout the country. Non-geographic numbers begin with 1800, 1850, 1890, 0818 or 076. These are reduced-cost services, often those provided by State agencies. This week marks one year since ComReg stepped in to ensure that the costs of...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Barry Ward: I just wanted to make one point in respect of Senator Higgins's comments. In the first instance, I recognise the intention behind the amendments because she identifies some important issues. Section 121 of the Bill inserts into the Act of 2015 three new sections, 51A, 51B and 51C. Section 51B refers to the power of an immigration officer or member of An Garda Síochána to arrest a...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Barry Ward: I am sympathetic to Senator Higgins' comments and she is quite right that we need to err on the side of consideration, protection and caution, particularly when it comes to minors or young people who are the subject of the proposed section 51B. This amendment applies to the proposed inserted section 51B, and particularly subsections (4) and (5) of that section. The difficulty I have is that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: This morning we heard the unfortunate news from the Environmental Protection Agency that there are significant risks to the environment throughout the country. We have been made aware now that there are particular identifiable aspects that are causing damage to the environment and to water quality in particular. One of the references made by the chief executive, Laura Burke, on RTÉ's...

Seanad: Inquiry into the Murder of Mr. Patrick Finucane: Motion (25 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: In many respects, I was too young when this happened to properly understand it. I do not think it is possible for a child to properly understand what was done to Pat Finucane and his family. I was old enough, however, to remember and know of it. When I grew into an adult and had what happened explained more fully, it was still difficult to understand the depth of that kind of thing...

Seanad: Combating Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I propose to share my time with Senators Currie and Carrigy.

Seanad: Combating Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I am grateful to Senator Gallagher for allowing me to speak because I wish to put on the record my appreciation for the work the Minister has done in this area. The understanding and the commitment she has had in this area are reassuring and impressive. She has listed off a number of schemes that are already in place to address these issues. When I say "these issues", this is a huge area....

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2020: Second Stage (18 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I also join with other Members who have congratulated the signatories to this Bill on the work involved in it. I do not know if I can say this definitively but physically it is probably the largest Private Members' Bill that has ever come before the House. There is an enormous amount of work in it and I recognise the acknowledgement of the work done by Dr. Maurice Manning and the committee...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2020: Second Stage (18 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: Yes, there is also a lack of press coverage. I, of all people, would like to do more about that but it is not within my gift, unfortunately. Last week, when we debated the Bill brought forward by Senator Byrne and his colleagues, I said that in 2003, the then Senator Mary O'Rourke, who I believe was Leader of the House at the time, chaired a committee on Seanad reform to which I...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2020: Second Stage (18 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: Senator Norris said it last week in the debate. Unfortunately, I did not have time to contradict him but I will do so today. The Senators who are elected by local authority members around the country are democratically elected Members of this House. They are indirectly democratically elected in exactly the same way as the Taoiseach. Nobody ever suggests the Taoiseach is not democratically...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I wish to raise the issue of local harbours. Recent changes in legislation have meant that harbour companies were abolished and their responsibilities were transferred to local authorities. That is welcome. Any element of local democratic involvement in the operation of harbours was removed in 2009 and councillors were removed from the boards of those companies. Harbours are now being...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: This type of legislation is welcome. I agree with almost everything Senator O'Loughlin said in her contribution introducing the Bill to the House. I commend her and her colleagues on bringing it forward. It is timely and, regrettably, it is also necessary. A number of Senators recounted the stories many of us will be aware of, including famous cases like that of Declan Flynn, where the...

Seanad: Political Donations: Motion (11 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I move: "That Seanad Éireann: notes: - the decision of Sinn Féin to accept a donation in excess of €4 million from the estate of William Hampton; - that the maximum donation allowable under Irish electoral law is €2,500 and that this donation to Sinn Féin is more than 1,600 times the maximum allowable donation; - that the will of Mr. Hampton...

Seanad: Political Donations: Motion (11 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I am pleased to propose this motion on behalf of the Fine Gael group in the Seanad. It comes in the context of the legislation that relates to political donations and political funding in Ireland. All of us in this House know that in the past, the culture of political donations in Ireland involved politicians receiving money without any oversight or transparency. We are acutely aware of...

Seanad: Political Donations: Motion (11 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I would happily answer. The Senator should not ask a question and then not allow time to answer.

Seanad: Political Donations: Motion (11 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht a chúpla focal agus as ucht an tacaíocht don rún freisin. In bringing this motion before the House I sought to raise an issue that needs to be addressed by this House. I agree with Members who expressed regret that we have used our Private Members' time to do this. I agree that it is regrettable that we have had to do it....

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I welcome this Bill and I commend Senators Byrne, Cassells and Casey on bringing it forward. The Minister of State has said he will support it, and I welcome that. I welcome him to the House. He has a very interesting portfolio and I am looking forward to much of the work he outlined in his speech this evening. It is not true to say that everybody welcomes the Bill. We heard speeches...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I do not believe that is a fair comment from Senator Mullen because I have always supported this House and have always been a strong supporter of Seanad reform. I listened to what Senator McDowell said about his first preference vote. I am not being vainglorious in saying that of the 47 panel Senators and the six university Senators elected earlier this year I got the lowest first...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Nov 2020)

Barry Ward: I am in no way a small parcel. However, Senator McDowell is somewhat comparing apples with oranges when talking about the different votes because the electorates and the size of the electorates on each panel are very different. There is a danger of suggesting that this House should be elected in the same way as the Dáil is elected. I doubt that anybody is suggesting that, but we do...