Results 21-40 of 544 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

Seanad: Ireland-China Relations: Motion (8 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: The Green Party is delighted to support this Private Members' motion and we commend Senators Mullen and McDowell on bringing it before us. The grotesque scale of the breaches of human rights in China has been well documented. As Senator Malcolm Byrne noted, this did not just happen a few days ago and there is a track record of abuse. As previous speakers have noted, there are over 1...

Seanad: Budget 2021: Statements (14 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: There is one certainty about where we are, namely, that it is uncertain. Considering the complete uncertainty of the situation, the challenge the Government faced was mammoth.In a record spend of €17.75 billion, there are a number of headline figures to which my colleagues have already alluded. There is so much to be welcomed about the €4 billion on health. Ill winds blow...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I will address a very serious issue. Next month, the United States of America elects its next President. I hope it will be a new President, with Joe Biden becoming the 46th holder of that office. It could not be a more serious time for the world. The outcome of that election will have serious long-term consequences for the Iran nuclear deal, for the Paris climate agreement, for the EU,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Is it ungentlemanlylike?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: What about Cavan?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Brexit Negotiations: Members of the House of Lords (21 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: There is a complete unpredictability around what is going to happen and whether agreement can be reached. There is also a complete inevitability about the substantive point that the UK is going its own way in one form or another. We must look to the future and at relationship paradigms. While our immediate attention is on the sundering that is facing us, we must also look to the short,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Brexit Negotiations: Members of the House of Lords (21 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I anticipated an answer along those lines. I thank Lord Kerr in particular. I fully accept that it is Ireland's prerogative in the first instance. That is a given. When Deputy Ó Cuív and others spoke about it, it was about North-South reconciliation but maybe there is an added dynamic that we should look at, of east-west economic co-operation. Talking about unthinkables, while...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: When Covid first visited the isle in March, the heroic work and crucial role of doctors, nurses and so many more behind the scenes in hospitals became apparently and rapidly clear to us all, if we needed reminding. They are the heroes of the hour and continue to keep us all safe. They have been joined in recent weeks by new heroes, and it is not an exhaustive list. We should remember...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Response to Covid-19: Discussion (28 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: A more immediate and pressing spotlight is on the flu vaccine. Admittedly there is an increase but the HSE underestimated the uptake of it. In this EU state, we always suffer from overcrowding, particularly at the peak of winter. I know it is a competence for member states but are the witnesses aware of the extent of this shortage and crisis and GPs' concern about their patients in other...

Seanad: Biodiversity: Motion (5 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I second the motion. I welcome the attendance and participation in this debate of my party colleague, the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. I thank Senator Garvey for moving the motion. In 1972, a young research assistant made a list of natural and semi-natural habitats in County Kildare with the objective of selecting habitats for preservation. That research assistant, Roger...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: The past couple of days have demonstrated, if anyone needed reminding, how precious democracy is and how much it matters. Every vote counts. It is quite improper for any government to involve itself in another country's election, but as individuals who care about democracy and the free world, the last few days have been little short of incredible in our lifetime. It has also been a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: My final point is that Mr. Biden should come to Mayo and Galway and that perhaps the Irish Government should consider, after all we have been through, inviting President Biden to address the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (6 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I do not wish to repeat the points that have already been made but a central acknowledgement is that An Garda Síochána has not issued, as has been said by the Minister of State, any closure or compliance order. On one level this vindicates the legislators who supported this two months ago and on another level we can say the Members of this House and the Lower House who opposed it,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I commend the Cathaoirleach and the Ceann Comhairle for moving so swiftly to invite the Government to consider extending an invitation to President-elect Biden to visit Ireland. They are clearly in tune with the Members of the two Houses and the people of Ireland. It is with sadness that I convey my sympathy to the people of Palestine, who have lost one of their most prominent politicians,...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: The year 1979 is such a long time ago. Some of us were not born and others will remember the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland. We had the horrific loss of life in Warrenpoint and Mullaghmore. On a less serious point, Monaghan won their first Ulster title in 41 years in 1979, and the Boomtown Rats were raging No. 1 in the charts with "I Don't Like Mondays". We really stand indicted...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Military Service at Jadotville in 1961: Statements (11 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister to the House. His presence is a sign of how seriously this matter is being taken. It is a good day for the Upper House, Seanad Éireann, that we can come up with an initiative such as this, ventilate our views and have such a constructive, positive debate, shining a light on this in a way that might not always be open to the Lower House. It is fitting that we...

Seanad: Political Donations: Motion (11 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I remember canvassing in a general election of yesteryear and being challenged by an animated and exercised member of the electorate who said that the Green Party was not a Thirty-two County party. When I replied that we were and that we had councillors and MLAs in the North, I was told that we were not a "true" Thirty-two County party. I decided to tell him that he was right, because we...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (17 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, to the Chamber. The Green Party is thrilled to have Senator Eileen Flynn as a Member of the Seanad. Today, she asked for dignity and respect for the travelling community. That is a cry for dignity and respect and it is not too much to ask. As a child, I was privileged in that my late parents invited members of the travelling community...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2020: Second Stage (18 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. People are judged by actions, not mere words. Today is an action. I hope I can be forgiven for not getting carried away and being slightly reticent in not being overly optimistic for any radical solution in the short term. One only has to look at the history and the delay upon delay the House has suffered. In 1979, the outcome to a...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2020: Second Stage (18 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: -----was a wonderful gentleman and was missed during the general election as well to crunch the figures and predict individual constituencies. He is irreplaceable. We had so many others such as Katherine Zappone, John Crown, the brilliant Feargal Quinn, and let us not forget the role of the Attorneys General. With a week to go, I recall John Rogers being hauled out on the “Six One...