Results 221-240 of 886 for speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: Live Industry Supports: Statements (16 Dec 2021)

Mark Wall: It is hard to follow those heartfelt words from Senator Black but I will try. I also welcome the Minister to the House. There can be no doubt that one of the industries hit hardest by the Covid pandemic is live music and entertainment. Once again, it is this industry that is being told it must reduce the numbers attending its venues. It is those working in this industry who are listening...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2021)

Mark Wall: I know we discussed this last night. As Senator Boylan said, it was discussed in the Dáil too, where Deputy Duncan Smith had a conversation with the Minister, since we had an amendment about it. I know the Minister is prepared to provide a report on that. I welcome that. We previously had a Bill in the Seanad on this important topic. I welcome that the Minister will prepare a report...

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

Mark Wall: First, I raise an announcement on promised legislation in recent days. I spoke recently to the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, on when we can expect a long-overdue gambling control Bill. Colleagues have mentioned this previously. I congratulate the Minister of State on bringing this Bill through Cabinet and preparing it for debate in the Houses. However, we cannot afford to wait much...

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (20 Jan 2022)

Mark Wall: I am particularly proud to co-sponsor this Bill. It is a very important moment for us in this country to have the Bill coming before us. I too pay tribute to the Leader of the Seanad for allowing it to come before us today. That is very important. I also welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is a very important discussion and we must have more of them. I put on record my...

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

Mark Wall: I wish to raise, once again, our community first responders and the wonderful work that they do throughout all of our communities. I am sure the Deputy Leader is well aware of the work that they do her own community. I raised this matter previously in the House through a Commencement matter, namely, the need for a national register of automated external defibrillators, AEDs in this country....

Seanad: Broadband Roll-out: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Mark Wall: I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House today. There are a couple of points I want to raise with him. The first is the broadband connections that has been raised by colleagues in the House. In County Kildare, we have five at present, at Bigstone community hall, Crookstown education centre, Lullymore nature park and Rathmore National School and St. David's National School. These...

Seanad: Broadband Roll-out: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Mark Wall: Is that agreed? Agreed.

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)

Mark Wall: I would like to welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to the House. I wish to start my contribution by joining with colleagues in thanking Senator Chambers for her leadership and inclusivity in relation to our committee. It has been a learning curve for many of us. As a new Seanad Member, it was very important to me how she treated new Members and everyone on the committee. I thank her...

Seanad: Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is his second time here today. I congratulate Senator Malcolm Byrne and his colleagues in Fianna Fáil on bringing forward the Bill. The Senator correctly said that in 2021 I introduced a Bill on behalf of the Labour Party on the use of the CCTV and the prosecution of offences. It was quite similar to what we have before us. The bottom...

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

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is good to see her back. Like other Members, including Senator Gallagher, it is important to express my gratitude, and that of the communities I represent, to An Garda Síochána. It is important to pay tribute to those who put on the uniform and go out to protect our communities. They do so in the knowledge that they may not return home....

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (27 Jan 2022)

Mark Wall: I congratulate Senator Chambers on the vital legislation she has brought before us. I thank the Minister for her co-operation and work on the Bill. This sends out the message to Una and Eve that their voices were listened to through the work of Senator Chambers, which we are here to support. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, I cannot be around for statements on violence against women....

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

Mark Wall: I congratulate the Acting Leader on taking the Chair today. I join with her and colleagues in wishing everybody a happy St. Brigid's Day, Lá Fhéile Bríde. We are all very proud of our association with St. Brigid where I live in County Kildare. We recently learned, following a very successful campaign by so many in this House and, indeed, the Lower House, that we will...

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

Mark Wall: There is no doubt that we need to invest in the different capital and equipment projects that have been mentioned over the past number of days. However, we must never forget that we must first invest in and provide security to those who serve us so loyally, and those who may wish to consider a future in the Defence Forces. We must allow their representative bodies to affiliate with the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pigmeat Sector (3 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, to the House.

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House today. I will start by congratulating Senator Flynn on the introduction of her first Bill. As a fellow new Senator, I know of the honour it is to introduce and discuss one’s first Bill. Today, I am sure, is a day on which Senator Flynn can be justifiably proud. In introducing her first Bill, Senator Flynn addresses serious outdated...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this important matter for discussion. St. Vincent's Hospital in Athy can trace its history back to the opening of the Athy workhouse on 9 January 1844, an event that came just in time to relieve some of the harshest effects of the Famine in and around that area of south Kildare. The Sisters of Mercy...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State very much for his reply. It is heart-warming to hear his words of support for the hospital in St. Vincent's, Athy. Since his recent visit, I am sure his words are most heartfelt. I was very happy with the start of his reply, which stated that the HSE would apply for planning permission in quarter 1 of 2022. It then deteriorated a little when he said that the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I would like to be associated with the comments of my colleague from Kildare in congratulating Leona Maguire on her historic win on Saturday night in the Ladies Professional Golf Association, LPGA, event. I was fortunate enough to watch the final couple of holes she played. What struck me most was her response in an interview immediately after the event. She said her success would...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (9 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I congratulate my colleague Senator Chambers on bringing forward this vital legislation, which we are all proud to support. There have been a number of television programmes in recent weeks on the treatment of women in Ireland. It is unacceptable and it just cannot continue. This Bill is a valid and good attempt by Senator Chambers to address some of what is going on. As I have said...