Results 21-35 of 35 for speaker:Mark Duffy

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Apr 2025)

Mark Duffy: I welcome our friends from the British Embassy who are visiting this afternoon. I look forward to hosting the delegation of visitors from the UK transport committee on Thursday. I wish to raise the issue of defective concrete blocks, particularly the pyrite in my constituency of Mayo, as well as the mica scheme. The issue has devastated so many homeowners along the western seaboard....

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Apr 2025)

Mark Duffy: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Apr 2025)

Mark Duffy: A matter of concern to many of my constituents in County Mayo is the state of disrepair of the piers and waterways on the Mayo coastline. On Kilcummin pier, there are proposed clearance works. Small fishing boats are unable to dock at the pier because of the storm debris and rocks that need to be cleared. The slipway is in a treacherous state and it is the same for other slipways in the...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (2 Apr 2025)

Mark Duffy: The Minister is very welcome to the House. I welcome the opportunity to discuss with him the housing crisis that is plaguing every constituency in the country. I will give an anecdotal example from my home town of Ballina, County Mayo. I have spent the past six years as a local councillor in Mayo County Council, working with colleagues across the county to improve housing supply. At...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Apr 2025)

Mark Duffy: I wish to be associated with the remarks on the retirement of Martin Groves. He was a great help to me in my early days, although I am still in my early days in the Seanad, and I put on record my thanks to Martin for his assistance. I would also like to associated with the remarks on the Holy Father, the late Pope Francis, and his contribution to community, society and faith right across...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2025)

Mark Duffy: I raise an issue very important to my constituency. With the closure of deadlines for the school bus scheme for this year, a particular area and blackspot in my constituency is just outside of Crossmolina - the area of Coolturk, Eskeragh and Dooleague. There are 20 students without access to the school they attend, Crossmolina National School. The students have family links and connections...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 May 2025)

Mark Duffy: In recent days there have been reports about the appointment of a housing tsar to help support the housing crisis we face. I have serious concerns about this concept considering the fact that we have more than 900 tsars in county councils across every local authority. They are our county councillors. Devolved functions to zone housing on the ground is what we need to unlock housing supply,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Mark Duffy: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As the Fine Gael spokesperson on transport in the Seanad and a member of the newly formed Oireachtas committee on transport, I bring to the Minister of State’s attention a key and important piece of infrastructure for the north west, namely, the western rail corridor. The line between Athenry and Claremorris, which is currently closed, is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Mark Duffy: I thank the Minister of State for the update. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, for his work on this issue. The all-island strategic rail review identified the reopening of the western rail corridor from Claremorris to Athenry as a short-term measure. Having invested so much in planning, consultation and reviews, we now need to move to delivery. We need to do whatever it...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2025)

Mark Duffy: I raise the important issue of ambulance response times in County Mayo, particularly the Erris region of Belmullet. I have three call logs of incidents from the past number of months. In some instances, the ambulance response times to patients has been two hours. Two hours, two hours and 96 minutes are just three examples from the past number of months. I compliment the Minister for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (13 May 2025)

Mark Duffy: The Minister of State is very welcome back to the Seanad. The housing crisis we face is not news to him or to any of us here in the Chamber. I compliment him on the work and efforts he has commenced since taking over his brief. His knowledge is impeccable. He has experience of being his party spokesperson for housing in the previous Seanad and he also worked on the issue while in local...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (13 May 2025)

Mark Duffy: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am heartened by it in terms of the consideration and the flexibility that could be given to local authorities. In a partnership process, any semi-State or any body that tries to develop critical infrastructure that is in the common good and the public good must be supported. I encourage Uisce Éireann and other such bodies to work with...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Mark Duffy: I share in the sympathies expressed on the death of Garda Kevin Flatley, which was a tragedy to befall the force and, most particularly, his family. I offer my sympathies, those of my Fine Gael colleagues and, I am sure, those of the House on the passing of former councillor Senator, TD and Minister, Paddy O'Toole, who passed away over the weekend. Paddy O'Toole was a native of Erris and...

Seanad: Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 May 2025)

Mark Duffy: I welcome the provisions in the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024. I would like to raise a point with the Minister of State. I refer to access to cash. I have had a number of conversations with constituents as this has come to light over the past number of weeks. We have discussed this in great detail. It is important to recognise the lack of access at...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2025)

Mark Duffy: I join in the Cathaoirleach's welcome to James Cafferkey. He is a TUI student in St. Muredach's College and has been a great help to me. Yesterday evening, James attended a launch of the new strategy for the No Name Clubs, which is a youth organisation aimed at youth empowerment across Ireland. It has launched its new strategy that runs until 2029 and it has a great focus on working on...