Results 4,421-4,440 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I thank all of the witnesses who are here for their contribution and for what they do for healthcare and women's health in this country but I have to say that I find myself in agreement with a great amount of what Deputy Bríd Smith has said. It is not overt religious influence I am concerned about but covert influence. The influence of the church is rampant in education and,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I totally accept that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I totally accept that. I have great admiration for the work Dr. Mahony has done over many years. However, does she not believe there is something ironic about the Taoiseach reading out a letter of support for the national maternity hospital's new location when eight of those who wrote the letter are not providing termination services?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: Why can Dr. Mahony not comment on it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: No.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I am talking about the provision of termination services. Of the 19 hospitals providing maternity services around the country, eight are not providing termination services. I do not believe it is a political question. With respect, it is a health question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I asked whether it is ironic that he would read out a letter of support from these 19 hospitals when eight are not providing termination services.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I just despair because 68% of the people of Ireland voted to provide termination services in this country and yet eight of these hospitals are not doing so. I know I am going off the point somewhat but I am trying to amplify my overarching point, which is that you cannot blame people for being cynical and asking questions. I know the Minister is not doing so and, by the way, I do trust him...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I do not think it can be argued that healthcare in Ireland has not been influenced by religious denominations and nobody is being disrespectful to anybody by raising that issue. What we are trying to achieve or guarantee here is that there will not be any religious influence at the national maternity hospital. If Professor Higgins takes offence at being questioned on that, I would disagree-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: That was extremely useful and I thank Dr. Mahony for it. I spoke to the Minister last night about the issue of "clinically appropriate" services. Is there any way of defining that within the constitution of the hospital? This is a major issue for the people who are listening in to this debate. While I may be reassured by the Minister's explanation, the public has to be reassured as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: In conclusion, we all want to work with the Minister. We all have the same goal and we all want to achieve it. This discussion has been extremely useful and I am glad the Minister is going to take learnings from it. Hopefully, those learnings will influence the new memorandum he brings to Cabinet next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I will have one more question at the end but I am happy for Dr. Mahony to go ahead now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Martin Conway: One hour should be enough.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 May 2022)

Martin Conway: That is good news for a change and it is nice to sometimes have good news. The announcement this morning that Ryanair is taking a lease of a hangar at Shannon for aircraft maintenance, creating between 150 and 200 jobs with an investment of €10 million, is welcome news. We all know how successful Ryanair is and it is a company that is sustainable into the future. It is Irish-based...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (Resumed) (12 May 2022)

Martin Conway: Okay. I would like to dwell for a moment on the consequences of this not going ahead. Mr. Boylan has worked in this area all his life and dedicated his professional life to it. Clearly, he is a believer in co-location. If the Cabinet, for argument's sake, decided not to go ahead with this, I have no doubt he appreciates how many years the building of a new hospital will be set back. What...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (Resumed) (12 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I know Professor Higgins understands the hurt that has been caused to the women of Ireland over the years, but can he also understand why they are deeply cynical about this arrangement and why the opinion poll at the weekend showed that nearly two thirds of people are cynical and have questions about it? Does he understand that we are here to voice their concerns? We all are here to achieve...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (Resumed) (12 May 2022)

Martin Conway: That is good, and I welcome that fact. I was going to raise it but Deputy Bríd Smith raised it before me, because I considered some of the language in Professor Higgins's opening statement quite emotive. I do not think it was helpful, but he has clarified it and acknowledged it. That is very welcome. Professor Higgins also said in the opening statement that he had spoken to a legal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (Resumed) (12 May 2022)

Martin Conway: It was in the opening statement and usually when one is making an opening statement to the Oireachtas one would identify or at least verify the sources.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: New National Maternity Hospital: Discussion (Resumed) (12 May 2022)

Martin Conway: I do not need a lecture on that, Chairman. I understand that. I am just saying that it is a pity we could not get more information on that because it would have been useful. That type of expertise is very helpful in terms of giving clarity to the public, so perhaps that person might be able to speak publicly over the weekend. It would be useful. Turning to Ms Murphy, the master has...