Results 721-740 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second and Subsequent Stages (13 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: I warmly welcome the Minister to the House. I will take this opportunity to commend her on her 18 to 19 months of work on the children referendum, which had been sought and requested for many years. It was vital, not just to get the issue over the line, but in terms of public discussion on the matter. It was great to see children's interests so focused in the minds of the media,...

Seanad: National Lottery: Motion (13 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: I noted the suggestion by Senator Eamon Coghlan of selling the Cliffs of Moher. The biggest problem is that they are priceless. I consider the national lottery to be a national treasure. The legislation introducing the legislation the national lottery was passed when a Minister was part of a coalition Government between 1983 and 1987. In its 25 year history, the lottery has enriched...

Seanad: National Lottery: Motion (13 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: When talking about change, we all get nervous. As an agent in Clare selling national lottery products on a daily basis, I have an attachment to the State national lottery and the An Post National Lottery Company. Change is always challenging for everyone. I have thought long and hard about this and I have read the legislation and the supporting documentation. As late as today, I looked at...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: I welcome Judge Egbert Myjer, who recently retired from the European Court of Human Rights and is in the Visitors' Gallery. Judge Myjer is here to attend an important conference on family reunification, organised by the Immigrant Council of Ireland. This is a major issue in terms of the integration of our new communities in this country. I pay tribute to him on his wonderful work at the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Services (14 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I raise this issue on foot of a news report from last week or the week before concerning a young person who had a cochlear implant inserted and who had to wait four years to have a second implant put in. The report indicated that Beaumont Hospital made a submission to the Department of Health for funding in order to do both ears at one time when...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: The Taoiseach's speech yesterday on the Magdalen laundries was encrypted with humanity, humility, compassion, understanding, generosity and the type of leadership that we expect from a man of his calibre. It was appropriate, long overdue but the right thing to do. This Taoiseach has proved that he does not take advice from his advisers and opinions from legal people but says and does the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: The Taoiseach's speech yesterday on the Magdalen laundries was encrypted with humanity, humility, compassion, understanding, generosity and the type of leadership that we expect from a man of his calibre. It was appropriate, long overdue but the right thing to do. This Taoiseach has proved that he does not take advice from his advisers and opinions from legal people but says and does the...

Seanad: Future of Further Education and Training: Statements (20 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: Much of what I wanted to say has already been articulated. I commend the Minister of State on how he is dealing with the SOLAS issue, etc. I was at an international conference in Austria over the weekend that dealt specifically with unemployment among the disabled throughout the world, particularly in Europe. Graduates with disabilities face a serious problem in getting a fair crack of the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Schools Recognition (20 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Mol an Óige national school in Ennistymon which is part of the Steiner family of schools was established a number of years ago by volunteers. It is based on the Steiner model, although it is more streamlined. Well in excess of 100 students attend the school.Delete Snippet Senator Maurice Cummins: I join my colleagues in complimenting...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Schools Recognition (20 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: I am happy with it today.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: The Senators are doing a fine job.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: Perhaps we should all reflect on Senator Eamonn Coghlan's interesting invitation before 16 March next.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: We will have to make a special effort on this occasion, given that our colleague is organising it. I encourage the Cathaoirleach to lead the way on 16 March.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: I commend Senators Ó Murchú and Bradford on their raising of an important issue which I had intended to raise today. I was delighted to hear the Tánaiste announce yesterday that he is making an issue of the upcoming US legislation regarding the undocumented Irish in that country. Over Christmas, I spoke to a lady whose husband had died and whose two sons in the US were not in a position...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: They are slow learners.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: Perhaps Senator Mullins could tog out.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Social Entrepreneurship: Discussion (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: My question is supplementary to that of Senator Bacik. It is regrettable to see One Foundation coming to an end. Irrespective of the financial element, could the human resources and expertise the organisation has developed in terms of mentoring, leading, engagement and development be harnessed and retained for the betterment of the country in general? On the principle behind the giving...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Social Entrepreneurship: Discussion (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: I will have to give that to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I ask the Chairman not to give out to me because he regularly does so. I have a very short commentary to make. With regard to Ms Casey, it is wonderful that the first social entrepreneur to become an Ashoka fellow happens to be a person with a disability from Ireland who has ability and leadership...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Social Entrepreneurship: Discussion (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: I believe the way to break down barriers and facilitate people with disabilities to play an active part is through technology. I am sure there are many social entrepreneurs developing technology to make it more accessible and to make the employment of people with disabilities more amenable. Could the delegation make a quick comment on that? I have heard Mr. O'Hara speaking before but could...

Seanad: Ireland's Presidency of the European Council: Statements (26 Feb 2013)

Martin Conway: Like other speakers I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House and commend her on the impressive start to our Presidency of the European Council. There is not much point in my repeating what has been already said. Obviously, the central theme of our Presidency is cohesion, job creation and so on, which are themes that percolate throughout the European Union in terms of importance....