Results 221-240 of 544 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

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: Perfect. I apologise that I will have to go in about 15 minutes, but I appreciate that the Chair is chairing very fairly, as he always does.

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: There has been some discussion regarding the prolonged and inordinate nature of delays in respect of issues where the person is not under notification or is under notification. I will deal with the latter situation first, where someone has been notified of a serious complaint having been made against him or her. In such cases, it is incumbent on all concerned to throw all available...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Since the Seanad last sat, we learned the sad news of the passing of a fellow parliamentarian on the island. On behalf of the Green Party-Comhaontas Glas, I convey my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and the DUP on the sudden loss of Christopher Stalford, who represented the people of South Belfast since 2016 and had been the Assembly's Principal Deputy Speaker since 2020. Ar dheis...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Second Stage (22 Feb 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus roimh an Bille seo. The legislation proposed must be one of the most complex and hugely important to come to the Houses. Today marks a milestone in its progress.. We are now another step closer to finalising this groundbreaking legislation. The full establishment of Coimisiún na Meán, setting up a new regulatory body that will oversee a more...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Mar 2022)

Vincent P Martin: The Green Party, Comhaontas Glas, also conveys its sympathy on the death of former Senator John A. Murphy. He was a towering intellectual. Thousands and thousands of people enjoyed reading his erudite published pieces in Sunday newspapers and elsewhere. I did not always agree with him. Other Senators referred to former Senator Andy O'Brien, who showed that constitutional republicanism is...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (1 Mar 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Only a few short months ago, Seanad Éireann roundly condemned the outrageous, totally disproportionate and indiscriminate bombardment of Palestine by Israeli forces. Any country that engages in such flagrant breaches of international law is more than capable of operating an apartheid system. The overreaction of the Israeli Government to Amnesty's published findings was not surprising...

Seanad: Situation in Ukraine: Statements (1 Mar 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Today marks independence day for Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the reprehensible ethnic cleansing of the 1990s, Professor Brendan Simms described Ireland's performance and response at that time as squalid. Our reasoning for doing little or nothing was we would not be seen to level the killing fields. Doing little or nothing was justified by a predecessor of the Minister's in the Department of...

Seanad: Situation in Ukraine: Statements (1 Mar 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Linda Ervine to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge (3 Mar 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh ár gcuairteoir speisialta. Is mór an trua é nach bhfuil Gaeilge líofa agam. Ba mhaith liom feabhas a chur ar mo chuid Gaeilge. Tugann daoine cosúil le Linda inspioráid dom. Is iomaí duine ina ceantar féin atá ag foghlaim Gaeilge don chéad uair. Tá ardmheas agam ort, a Linda. The Irish language will only stay...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Post-Brexit Relations: Engagement with Scottish Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (9 Mar 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome our distinguished guests. In the fullness of time, history will judge the fall-out from and assess Brexit. While we did not wish for Brexit, would it be widely accepted that an unintended consequence of Brexit is to strengthen the case for Scottish independence, as I believe it does for reunification of this island? Maybe we should not waste an opportunity to move forward that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ukraine's Application for Membership of the European Union: Engagement with Ambassador of Ukraine. (15 Mar 2022)

Vincent P Martin: These are unprecedented times. It is a tiny symbolic gesture but the Vice Chairman, with the support of us all, has torn up the rule book to allow us to finish this debate, which is most unusual. It also is most unusual that every member of this committee, including the Vice Chairman, is wearing the colours of Ukraine. There is no neutrality here. The question is how we can best help the...

Seanad: Support to Ukraine: Motion (30 Mar 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, to the Chamber. It is always good to have a Minister of State in the Chamber. Especially when that Minister of State is from Kildare, I have to make sure I warmly welcome him here. I commend Fine Gael Members on their very considered wording of this motion. I commend Senators Seery Kearney and Dolan on their eloquent opening contributions....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I concur with Senator Craughwell. It was disappointing to think the Russian ambassador was being invited in the first instance and to be afforded that additional privilege. I am so happy a diplomatic storm has been averted by him having the good sense not to turn up where he is not welcome. I would like to associate myself with the warm welcoming comments by Members of the House to the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Apr 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I would also like to join with Members of the House in commending the Cathaoirleach on the speech he delivered at the historic joint session of the Houses this morning. He did this House proud, as did the Ceann Comhairle of the Lower House. The quality of all speeches made us proud to be part of the democratic world and parliamentarians. The debacle which immediately preceded this day,...

Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Apr 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Tá fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Seanad. We have a precious peace, but it is not a perfect peace. When it is not a perfect peace, it means much more work has to be done in the area of truth, reconciliation and healing. There are safe assumptions such as those my friend, Senator Carrigy, makes when he says that when he thinks of Óglaigh na hÉireann, he thinks of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2022)

Vincent P Martin: On behalf of the Green Party-Comhaontas Glas, I note we would like to associate ourselves closely with the thoughtful remarks of condolence to the family and friends of the late Michael O'Kennedy, SC.He had a decorated career in politics and wore it so lightly. I had the privilege of sitting close to him in the Law Library, which was in and of itself a collegiate hotbed. The late Brian...

Seanad: Automated Data Exchange for Police Co-operation: Motion (26 Apr 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I will not take the full five minutes because this topic has been well covered and succinctly opened by the Minister, whom I welcome to the Chamber, in her contribution. The advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. I understand there might be an immediate, instinctive reaction from some quarters who zealously protect data, but we have to assure them that the advantages outweigh the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Engagement with Ambassadors of Moldova and Romania (27 Apr 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I will make a statement rather than ask any further questions as the ground has been covered very well by my fellow committee members who have encapsulated the concerns. It is absolutely heart-wrenching. The accession journey is arduous and difficult but in my humble opinion, prior to the invasion is was rudderless and going nowhere in a hurry. There is some momentum building. It is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 May 2022)

Vincent P Martin: The outcome of tomorrow's election in Northern Ireland is an opportunity to deliver real, seismic change. It is the most important election not just in a generation but in the history of Northern Ireland. It is an opportunity for a new beginning. A few days ago, I attended a funeral in Northern Ireland for the late canon, Fr. Pat McHugh. He was a kind, decent pastoral priest who was full...

Seanad: Europe Day 2022: Statements (11 May 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State. Sometimes, we forget that the primary success of the EU has been peace. Monday was Europe Day, when we celebrated the Schuman Declaration. The Schuman plan was to establish long-term peace in post-war Europe. It has been a considerable success, as Senator O'Reilly stated. Europe has grown in strength at a time of crisis, with what Bono called "one man's...