Results 1,361-1,380 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, to the House. This is my first time speaking since he came here, so I wish him well on his appointment and he is already doing a fantastic job. I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, Senator Sheahan, who has been called away to a meeting in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine....

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: This was very welcome because I do not think the Office of the President is mentioned in this legislation. If it is unmentioned then it is open to such scrutiny. I am open to correction because I have not studied the legislation and am only filling in for Senator Sheahan. Overall, this will be an interesting discussion as it is also on the schedule next Thursday for Committee Stage. There...

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: It abuses its privilege regularly.

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: It needs to be abolished.

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: It will be on the Order of Business next Tuesday.

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 23 September 2014.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Darragh O'Brien regarding the Inclusion Ireland report on speech and language therapy in this country. Those sentiments are correct. Nobody in this House would stand over the appalling record with regard to dealing with young children at an extremely important and vulnerable age in their lives to ensure that they get the best start. Indeed,...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: It is also contrary to our Constitution, which states that every child should be treated equally. That clearly is not happening. It is extremely important that the Minister for Health come to the House and account for this appalling service.

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: The Order of the House cannot be amended again.

Seanad: Appointments to Board of Irish Museum of Modern Art: Statements (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: I very much welcome the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, to the House. Her appointment as Minister for the arts is an inspired choice because she brings a set of unique qualities to the Department which will create an equality within arts. She deserves enormous credit for making herself available for a debate following the motion that was passed today. Furthermore, the debate has...

Seanad: Appointments to Board of Irish Museum of Modern Art: Statements (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: No, culture as well as sport. Tourism is important and Irish culture and art should be a part of the tourism product. We should be in a position where we and our Ministers can go abroad and promote the tourism of art, as well as the tourism of culture, in this country. Let us be frank, the gentleman is eminently qualified. I respectfully suggest that even if he never had the board...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: VAT Rate Application (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: As the Minister was delayed in waiting for the vote to take place, I do not intend to delay him beyond what is necessary. Recently, it has been brought to my attention that the rate of VAT is 21% for lessons in Irish dancing, set dancing and the elements that make up the fabric of our culture. It has also been brought to my attention that the VAT rate for ballet lessons is much lower. I am...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: VAT Rate Application (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister for a comprehensive response. It would appear that the people in question are campaigning in the wrong vein in that it is a European issue they may need to examine or, alternatively, they could have Irish dancing reclassified as a cultural activity. The Minister has also outlined a number of exemptions, which has provided clarity for me. There will be an ongoing...

Seanad: Order of Business - Order of Business (24 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: I listened with interest to the debate yesterday evening with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Humphreys. The Minister deserves credit for making herself available to this House, and I thank her for that, but there are always ways of improving matters. Senator Mooney's suggestion merits serious consideration. If an Oireachtas committee felt it necessary to call an...

Seanad: Order of Business - Order of Business (24 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: The Government parties campaigned on this issue in opposition and committed to making gazumping illegal. That commitment should be honoured.

Seanad: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (24 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister and this very important legislation. It was an open goal that citizens and the country should have been scoring for a long time in terms of collecting money from online gambling. As has been pointed out, traditional bookie shops pay rates, taxes and everything else. Just because technology has advanced does not mean that the people who have embraced that technology -...

Seanad: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (24 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: He could do it online.

Seanad: Access to Educational and Other Opportunities for People with Disabilities: Motion (24 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: Senator Darragh O'Brien has to second the amendment.

Seanad: Access to Educational and Other Opportunities for People with Disabilities: Motion (24 Sep 2014)

Martin Conway: Go raibh maith agat. I understand Senator Darragh O'Brien's frustrations, to be quite frank. Today there are people outside the gate protesting because there is still no recognition of Irish sign language. That is something I would consider inhumane at this stage. At the end of the day people who are deaf are probably the most marginalised and isolated group in Irish society and it is...