Results 5,901-5,920 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Construction of New National Children's Hospital: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (25 Sep 2024)

Martin Conway: Mr. Devine is saying there is not a single room in the hospital that does anything that has been handed over yet. Not a kitchen or anything. It is just mind-blowing. On the disputed claims, one of the board's spreadsheets gives a figure of €497 million and then one of €957 million. Is it the case the board agrees there is a potential liability of €497 million,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Construction of New National Children's Hospital: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (25 Sep 2024)

Martin Conway: Has BAM acknowledged that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Construction of New National Children's Hospital: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (25 Sep 2024)

Martin Conway: Surely that is a simple thing all parties could agree. If that cannot be agreed then we will have serious problems in the immediate future. Would Mr. Gunning agree?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Construction of New National Children's Hospital: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (25 Sep 2024)

Martin Conway: We have to be somewhat fair to BAM because it has not had the opportunity to come in and give its side of the story. I am trying to put myself in the contractor's shoes. I imagine it is having huge difficulty retaining staff in the current employment market. Would that be part of the reason? What explanations have been given to the board for BAM not committing the resources expected?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Construction of New National Children's Hospital: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (25 Sep 2024)

Martin Conway: I think we would all like to acknowledge the people on the BAM side of the equation as well. They are important people and important in terms of getting this project delivered. Going back to what I asked earlier, what is the final cost of this going to be? It is going to be well north of €2.5 billion and I fear we could hit €3 billion. I also fear we are looking at 2027 or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Construction of New National Children's Hospital: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (25 Sep 2024)

Martin Conway: Therein lies the problem. BAM is telling the board that it is committing what it deems, and these are Mr. Gunning's words, to be the appropriate resources. Therein lies the problem. BAM is saying one thing, namely, that it is committing the appropriate resources. Mr. Gunning is saying it is not. How are we going to resolve this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Construction of New National Children's Hospital: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (25 Sep 2024)

Martin Conway: Assuming that BAM continues to commit just 60% resources, we are talking about adding another four or five months to the handover date, if it continues as it is today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Construction of New National Children's Hospital: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (25 Sep 2024)

Martin Conway: In all fairness, if you are building a house and the builder tells you he is going to hand it over in June you would be hoping he would but be expecting it might be a couple of months later. If we are talking about a children's hospital of this size, I do not think anyone on this committee believes it will be handed over any time before 2026. If Mr. Gunning is being honest, and he...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Construction of New National Children's Hospital: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (25 Sep 2024)

Martin Conway: Or another two slips perhaps. It is important to commend Mr. Gunning and his team. I have no doubt that they are doing their best but there are a lot of unanswered questions. Perhaps it is not in their control but there are a lot of unanswered questions and the public are rightly not happy that this has not been delivered. Children are sick out there. We are waiting ten years for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (1 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for giving up his time to come to the Seanad. We hope he has achieved what he set out to achieve during the budget negotiations. All will be revealed this afternoon.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wastewater Treatment (1 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: The Minister of State, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, is most welcome to Seanad Éireann on what is a very busy day for her and all other Ministers. We appreciate her time.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (1 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State. We in Seanad Éireann all wish those residents the best and hope the issue will be resolved in a timely manner.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (1 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for attending and for yet again providing her prepared contributions in an accessible format. That is much appreciated. I wish her Department the best of luck with the budget this afternoon. I hope it will achieve its asks.

Seanad: Budget 2025 (Finance): Statements (1 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: The Minister of State is welcome to the House on his first budget in his important position in the Department of Finance. I commend him because he clearly influenced the budget significantly. There is an awful lot to take from this budget that is positive. I remember standing up in this House in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 when we were increasing taxes and cutting social welfare payments....

Seanad: Budget 2025 (Finance): Statements (1 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: Some day.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: I echo the Cathaoirleach’s welcome to Jagoda, who is in the Public Gallery and has been doing fantastic work in my office. She is gaining very valuable experience as part of her transition year. I also welcome Ellen, who is with a great mentor in Ms Long. The budget announced yesterday was certainly a very interesting and positive offering. Many elements of it are welcome. A...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: I second that.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Policy (3 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State. For some time now inside and outside this House, I have campaigned for better support services for and better screening of haemochromatosis. We have had discussions here in previous Commencement matters on the need for a national plan or strategy to deal with haemochromatosis. I have facilitated briefings within the House for staff and Members from the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Policy (3 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: I accept that much progress has been made, in no small part due to the people who have campaigned and stuck at it over the years. I also accept that the outpatient charges have been dealt with. We need to move to a situation where no haemochromatosis patient should have to be treated in hospital. Outpatient services are under enough pressure. This should be dealt with through the Irish...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (3 Oct 2024)

Martin Conway: I thank the Senator. As a keen sea swimmer, I fully endorse this Commencement matter.