Results 201-220 of 544 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I commend Into Kildare, the main tourism body in Kildare, which ran a fantastic conference last week in the stunningly beautiful Kilkea Castle. It was a celebration of the resilience and ambition of people and stakeholders in Kildare. I hope that other counties have such fantastic local bodies on the ground. Something that we in Kildare are keeping a close eye on is the prospect of a bank...

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (1 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: The Green party, an Comhaontas Glas, is very pleased to support this motion before the House. We commend all movers and sponsors of the motion, including Senator McDowell and all associated with it. It strikes a unified chord in this House. In doing so, I am conscious of the hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists we have welcomed to this country every year, the very active education...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for outlining in succinct terms the impact and import of the proposed legislation before the Upper House. It is proper that the House would sit today. Never should a Government or a Minister be given a free pass or a blank cheque to implement measures that are, with respect but in reality, draconian. The measure, by their very nature,...

Seanad: Antarctic Treaty: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I move: “That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges: - the time and effort committed by the officials of the Irish Government in the consideration of Ireland’s accession to the Antarctic Treaty; - that there has been governmental interest in the accession of Ireland to the Antarctic Treaty and that this continues; - the long association of Ireland with the exploration of the...

Seanad: Antarctic Treaty: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Chamber. The motion is a detailed one. The last couple of lines urge the Government to commit to taking all necessary steps to accede to the Antarctic Treaty as soon as possible. The ongoing pandemic has reminded us of the primacy of science in providing solutions to potentially overwhelming problems. Science, be it identifying and...

Seanad: Antarctic Treaty: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: Yes. To return to the motion, Shackleton is the second thing. Horse racing, St. Brigid and-----

Seanad: Antarctic Treaty: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: We are spoiled for choice in Kildare. St. Brigid, horse racing and Shackleton have huge untapped tourism potential for our county.

Seanad: Antarctic Treaty: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: Ernest Shackleton's name and reputation go before him. I will hand over soon to my Green Party colleague. Ernest Shackleton died in January 1922. He is buried in the whalers' cemetery on the Antarctic island of South Georgia. It would be most appropriate that we mark the centenary of his death by building on his pioneering Antarctic work by acceding to the Antarctic Treaty. If the...

Seanad: Antarctic Treaty: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: The big question for the Minister is if he is up for this. Will he give us a signal today because there is a lot of goodwill in the room, as there has been for decades? We have now formally tabled it as a motion. I look forward to the Minister's contribution and to his assessment of where we stand and exactly what he can do as Minister for Foreign Affairs to get this over the line, which...

Seanad: Antarctic Treaty: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I again thank the Minister for his attendance. It is testament to how seriously he takes this matter. I would like to comment favourably on some of the Minister's comments. The Minister said that he welcomes this motion, that he is positively disposed to it and personally committed. Credit where credit is due, he has also put a timeframe on matters and said that he is happy and willing to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: Even in such challenging Covid times, it has been and remains important for legislators to legislate, which is their primary role, on a wide raft of diverse topics of concern. This morning, I seek leave of the House to take No. 16 ahead of No. 1, thus permitting me to introduce my Bill entitled the Regulation of Air Traffic Over Sporting Events Bill 2021. This Bill, if enacted, would...

Seanad: Regulation of Air Traffic Over Sporting Events Bill 2021: First Stage (15 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide certain protections against unfair betting activities in relation to certain sporting events, for that purpose to regulate the operation of certain aircrafts over sporting events and to provide for related matters.

Seanad: Regulation of Air Traffic Over Sporting Events Bill 2021: First Stage (15 Dec 2021)

Vincent P Martin: On Tuesday, 21 December 2021.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Jan 2022)

Vincent P Martin: In a bombshell allegation made by a senior Tory MP, he has accused No. 10 government sources of blackmailing elected members of parliament. That would potentially strike at the very heart of democracy. It is a timely reminder to never take things for granted and to never become complacent. Maybe it is a time to cherish and celebrate the lack of such allegations in this celebrated democracy...

Seanad: Final Report on Impacts of Brexit of Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I begin by welcoming the Minister, Deputy Coveney to the Seanad. I acknowledge the work of the committee, which was so ably led by Senator Chambers, who from the get-go adopted such an inclusive and professional approach to the work and the workings of our committee. Ireland is the go-to English speaking member state of the EU. We are well placed to take advantage of foreign direct...

Seanad: Final Report on Impacts of Brexit of Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Vincent P Martin: There is a golden opportunity, which as been well flagged by the work of Irish-French parliamentary grouping. This has taken on a whole new meaning because France is now Ireland’s closest neighbour in the EU. There are significant historical and educational ties between France and Ireland. The Alliance Française is, of course, located close to us here on Kildare Street. It was...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Second Stage (27 Jan 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. It is always great to see her here. I am conscious of time and do not wish to repeat points made, only to concur with what I perceive to be a warm reception for reform. The force of law and order, An Garda Síochána, should be conscious that reform is being sought with the very best intention. Lest we forget, an opportunity should not be let...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Solar Panels for Public Buildings, Schools, Homes and Other Premises) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (16 Feb 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I wish to support my fellow Green Party Senators and also welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I thank him for giving us updates from time to time. I assure him that his words are recorded on the transcript, photocopied and sent out to dozens of people who are hanging onto every word he says regarding when this will actually happen. I welcome his reaffirmation in that regard today...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Feb 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome Senator McDowell’s interest in this green, innovative initiative. I agree with him, as did former Senator and President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, at the launch of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Seanad. We should have much more discussion. If the initiatives are good, which I believe they are, they should be able to withstand scrutiny. We should not be afraid of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill: Discussion (15 Feb 2022)

Vincent P Martin: May I make one supplementary point before we move on, with the indulgence of the Chair?