Results 2,041-2,060 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (25 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: To echo the positive note, it will be a very good day for myself and Seanad Éireann if part of my legacy in politics is that in 2021 some people in the Department of Education and Skills credit the motion with that type of fostering of learning and achievement.

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (25 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: You never know. I agree more than I disagree with what the Minister has said, but I never would have pigeonholed him in any way just because he comes from the jobs portfolio. To be fair to him, he held the position of education spokesperson for Fine Gael for many years when it was in opposition. I have a deep interest in education because I believe it is one of the best ways of getting...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (25 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: -----and equip them the way we want them equipped. I salute them for doing a wonderful job. There is a Dublin branch to the History Teachers' Association of Ireland. I did not know that until today. These teachers are doing a wonderful job in imparting knowledge to our young people. I commend teachers in general, but today is for the teachers of history, including retired history...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (31 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: I will not even need that. Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, for selecting this matter for discussion. It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, a lady for whom I have enormous regard. I wish her well in her portfolio. She is already doing a great job. It is a difficult portfolio but it gives me great pleasure in the Seanad to acknowledge...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (31 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for her positive and comprehensive reply. It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to Deputy Clare Daly and Senator Mac Lochlainn - a former Deputy - for the immense work they have done on this issue.The news from the Department is good. I sincerely hope that by this time next year we will have new coroners legislation in place and that the system will be in...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: I too congratulate Martin Groves who has been very good to us over recent years, in the last term and this one. It is appropriate that he got this appointment. I wish him well and hope we will all be here for many years to work with him.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: Like many, I have been watching nightly what is going on in America with the newly-elected President Trump. Sometimes I wonder if it is a nightmare I will wake up from or is it reality. Unfortunately, it is very real. For many years I have taken a position on the US military use of Shannon Airport and believe that it is not appropriate that the US military should have free access to...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: We are a neutral country. We have always prided ourselves on our neutrality. I do not accept the business case for the US military using Shannon. So be it if it goes to Germany or some other country with its business. With the present leadership in America I would be quite happy to see that happen. In the intervening period I call on the Leader to request the relevant authorities in this...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, to the House. He is a Minister of State and politician who is deeply committed to the principles of equality and has proven that in the work he did as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality prior to this. I commend Senators Nash and Ó Ríordáin on bringing forward what I think is very important...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: Yes. Former Senator and Leader of the Seanad, Senator Manning, was our lecturer at the time. This is exceptionally important legislation. It is funny when one talks about apology because the word "sorry" is only one word but it means so much to so many people. It is not a difficult word to say or a difficult concept to express. We saw the Taoiseach in one of his proudest moments when he...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: It was an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: Ar 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: We need to be very careful in discussing the issue raised by Senator Humphreys given there is an ongoing court case concerning a lottery claim. My understanding, having sold many lottery tickets over the years in my former role as a retailer, is that people are advised to sign the back of their ticket after purchase. When the national lottery pays out on a win, payment goes to the persons...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: I concur with Senator Bacik and others in commending the Government for finally implementing the recommendations of Mr. Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill's committee, and actually going ahead with a commission of investigation into suggested ill-treatment of whistleblowers. Whistleblowers are the primary source of a lot of the reforms that we see today, and this situation needs to be dealt with...

Seanad: Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill 2017: Order for Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister and commend her for successfully getting the sexual offences Bill through the other House. It criminalises the use of prostitutes and we all look forward to getting it through the Seanad. The previous justice committee worked very hard on it and I certainly believe it will result in the protection of vulnerable women, something we all want to achieve. From time to...

Seanad: Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: On Tuesday, 14 February.

Seanad: Amendments to Councillors' Conditions: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: One could not but agree with everything that has been said. The vast majority of Members have come up through the local authorities and still work closely with them. Members have lifelong friends who are councillors and members of local authorities. I commend the Minister for at least responding to the calls that have been made over time. I believe that the municipal district structure is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Rape Crisis Network Funding (9 Feb 2017)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to the House. It is my first opportunity since he was appointed Minister of State to formally congratulate him. He has already hit the ground running with his very important junior ministerial role. I wish him well and continued success with that. I tabled this Commencement matter following a Clare FM "Morning Focus" investigation...