Results 241-260 of 886 for speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (9 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I too welcome the Minister of State to the House this evening and thank Senator Mullen for bringing this important Bill, which we support, before us tonight. As colleagues have said throughout their contributions tonight, it is very hard to believe that the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act, as amended, does not provide for any penalties for giving false or misleading information to the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the long-awaited report by the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces, which was published yesterday. I welcome the emphasis on personnel. It is vital that the Minister for Defence immediately agrees with the recommendation in the report that the representative associations be allowed affiliate with ICTU, an outcome that I, on behalf of the Labour Party, have been calling...

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

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State. I will not take up too much time as I am anticipating his reply, which we all await. I thank my Green Party colleagues for bringing forward this important Bill. My colleague, Senator Moynihan, spoke at length about our support of the Bill on Second Stage. Senator Pauline O'Reilly spoke about the comments of the former President, Ms Mary Robinson. They...

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

Mark Wall: I want to raise today the current cost of student travel. I ask the Acting Leader to schedule a debate again with an emphasis on rural transport and commuting costs. There can be no doubt that the 20% reduction in transport fares, as recently announced, is welcome, but I have received a number of worrying emails and messages informing me that prices have gone up recently. This means that...

Seanad: Life Saving Equipment Bill 2017: Committee Stage (17 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State. It is important that I say a few words on this Bill. I also welcome Community First Responders Ireland to the House. As the Cathaoirleach will be aware I have continuously raised the importance of AEDs in all our communities since I was first elected to this House. I am glad that today we are also including lifebuoys as part of this Bill. I congratulate...

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

Mark Wall: I will start by thanking the Cathaoirleach for facilitating today's visit by Athy Sing and Sign. He has been to the fore as regards the Irish Sign Language, ISL. Athy Sing and Sign has always put it first. It is a great group led by Ms Maggie Owens along with Ms Linda Dobbyn, Ms Mary Byrne, Ms Breda Moore Flynn and Ms Majella Harris. Of course, who could forget Mr. Aiden McHugh? The...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021: Second Stage (22 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State. I thank An Garda Síochána for the work it does every day in all our communities. In recent days with St. Patrick's Day parades, etc., we have seen the work gardaí do in our communities and it must always be recognised. As Senator Craughwell has said, over 200 attacks took place in 2020, which indicates how much compensation we need to give to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I will first join with my colleague in congratulating Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen on becoming the first attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, friendly school in Ireland. It is a very significant moment for the school, which has wonderful staff, wonderful pupils and a wonderful school community. I have visited it on many occasions. It is very important that we...

Seanad: Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising) Bill 2021: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am hoping to share time with my colleague, Senator Sherlock.

Seanad: Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising) Bill 2021: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank my Labour Party colleagues for agreeing to this Private Members' business. I also thank the Leader for facilitating this debate, given the changes over the past two weeks. It is very much appreciated. I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to the House. I put on record once again my thanks to him for his leadership and commitment on this public health issue in...

Seanad: Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising) Bill 2021: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank the Acting Chairperson for her kind words and encouragement. As Senator Cassells said, a number of Senators have spoken passionately over the past two years about gambling. Indeed, I have joined Senators Cassells, Pauline O’Reilly and Mullen on a number of podcasts on this important topic. Concern about this issue is cross-party and that message is loud and clear here...

Seanad: Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising) Bill 2021: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State and I thank the Acting Chairperson for selecting this important matter. Like many public representatives, I recognise the importance of the housing adaptation grant, the housing aid grant and the mobility aid grant for many constituents. These grants can be, and for so many are, life-changing and they ensure many of our older population and those with a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am very much aware there is one form for the three different grants. That has helped about which there is no doubt. However, the problem at the moment is that I have to direct the majority of applicants with whom I am dealing to the community welfare service, which is another arm of Government, in order that they can complete their grants....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I want to raise a number of matters. There has been a lot of talk in the past number of weeks about our Defence Forces and what future they should or might have within Europe and on the world stage. The desperate and unjustified attack by Russia on the sovereign state of Ukraine has concentrated many minds on this subject. I read yesterday that Cabinet is discussing increasing our defence...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, and thank him for coming to the House.

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I will come back to the Minister after Members come in with their contributions. We will give him time at the end.

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (30 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: Is that agreed? Agreed.

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

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Senator Martin is right. We can never have enough Kildare people in the one room at the same time. I thank my Fine Gael colleagues for placing this very important Private Members' motion before us today. It is an important issue and it is welcome that we get the chance to discuss it and ask some questions of the Minister of State and his...