Results 621-640 of 886 for speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Second Stage (28 Nov 2023)

Mark Wall: The Minister of State without interruption, please.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2023)

Mark Wall: I too raise the "Prime Time" programme broadcast last night. When I left the House, I went home to watch it. I watched Sarah McInerney interview Niall Hodgins of the Garda Representative Association and it was an extraordinary interview. In his answers, Niall Hodgins informed all of us who were watching that, as my colleague has said, there was no plan. Garda members turned up simply...

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2023)

Mark Wall: The Acting Chairperson summed it up well. There is not a family that has not been touched, unfortunately, by pregnancy loss. The Labour Party is proposing to put workplace leave to deal with that on a statutory footing, as the Minister of State said. It is important. I second what the Minister of State said regarding the work of my colleague, Senator Sherlock, on this matter. It seems to...

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) (Coercive Control) Bill 2023: Second Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I call Senator O'Loughlin.

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) (Coercive Control) Bill 2023: Second Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank our Fianna Fáil colleagues, Senators O'Loughlin and Clifford-Lee, for introducing this important Bill, which the Labour Party supports. Notwithstanding what the Minister of State has said about the concerns she has raised and their implications for the provisions of this Bill, we hope they can be thrashed out and worked through in a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I join my colleague Senator Murphy in welcoming the Minister's announcement about the hot school meals programme yesterday. This is very positive and 28 schools in my own area of Kildare have now joined the list. This is a tremendous result for Kildare and in particular for the children for whom it will ensure a hot meal each day in primary school. There is also a knock-on effect that...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (7 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I join colleagues in sending condolences to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, on the sad loss of her mother. This Bill is important for many people. The Labour Party will support it and make sure it passes through this House as quickly as possible. However, I wish to raise a number of issues with the Minister of State. I will start with carers. The first issue I wish to raise is those who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Water and Energy Connections in Rural Areas: Discussion (6 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome our guests here today. I have a couple of questions about average connection times for the ESB and for Uisce Éireann. Deputy Ó Cuív mentioned the 16 weeks for connection with Uisce Éireann but can we get specific dates in relation to average connection and especially for rural once-off houses? What are the average connection times at the moment for the ESB and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Water and Energy Connections in Rural Areas: Discussion (6 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: Yes. I will come back in if I have any more questions.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: And camogie.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I echo Senator Gavan's words about Garda civilian staff. As has been said, the Minister has had discussions with them but what Senator Gavan has asked for today is reasonable, given the amount of time that has passed. In fairness to the work they do, their worries and so on have been articulated by Senator Gavan today and previously in meetings with the Minister. We support the call by...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This business is to conclude after 90 minutes if not previously concluded.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: Amendment No. 3 has been ruled out of order as it is not relevant to the subject matter of the Bill.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I agree it is very important. Before I ask the Minister to respond, I want to welcome a Belgian student and guest of Senator McGreehan, to the Gallery today. You are very welcome to the Seanad.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister. Before I go back to Senator Sherlock, I welcome members of the Department of children and equality network. They are welcome to the Gallery. I hope you enjoy your stay in the Seanad. How stands the amendment?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: Amendment No. 5 in the names of Senators Hoey, Moynihan, Sherlock and Wall is out of order. It is not relevant to the subject matter of the Bill. That brings me to amendment No. 6 in the names of Senators Ruane, Black and Flynn.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: I will get a note for the Senator.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: No, I will read out the reason as requested. Amendment No. 5 relates to the publication of candidates' postal addresses on ballot papers at elections. The topic strays too far wide of the provisions of the existing Bill, which relate to Dáil and European Parliament constituencies and their reconfiguration on foot of the recent reports of the Electoral Commission. The amendment must be...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: Is the Senator pressing the amendment?