Results 141-160 of 886 for speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: Interim Report of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Motion (30 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I too welcome the Minister of State to the House. I join with colleagues in thanking our Chair, Senator Chambers, for her inclusiveness, for what she has done in bringing us all together and for arranging for the number of witnesses we saw in respect of this very important report to appear. We are here today to discuss the interim part of that particular report. A number of colleagues...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Provision of Local Employment Services: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the representatives of both unions and thank them for their comprehensive assessments and presentations and for their support for the employees in our jobs clubs and local employment services. I am acutely aware of the great work they do. I deal with them on a daily and weekly basis. I am very much aware of the cost model involved and of the problems regarding a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Provision of Local Employment Services: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the Chair. I thank Mr. Egan and Mr. Kane for their presentation. I have a couple of questions. Mr. Egan in his presentation said he would postpone the process for a short period into the new year. Will he confirm what a short period is? Is it a number of months? Is it the full 12 months? Will he also commit to the request by both unions which we met earlier that he would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Provision of Local Employment Services: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I wanted to make sure we were valuing the 25 years of experience. Mr. Egan said he will be putting a value on it. I would very much welcome if he could share that value when he comes up with it. I am sure it is well in excess of €311. That is the point I was making and it is the only point I wanted to make. We cannot put a value on the excellent service, the 25 years of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank Senator McGreehan for bringing us all together to wear pink today and to make people aware of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We remember my own mother, who died seven years ago having unfortunately succumbed to cancer, initially breast cancer. It is great to remember but, as other Members have said today, it is important that as many women and, indeed, men as possible come forward...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to address what I feel is an important matter for many people in this country, especially those in my county, Kildare. I am sure that, like me, the Minister of State has assisted many people and families with what has always been a worthwhile grant. The grant has made such a difference to the day-to-day lives of so many older people and families...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State for his reply, the final few sentences of which addressed precisely the problems people have raised with me. It goes without saying that other Senators are dealing with similar matters. Building costs have risen exponentially over the past 24 months and the grant has not kept pace. I have had people cry on the other end of the telephone line as they told me...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State. I would say the invitations are in the post at this stage.

Seanad: Budget 2022: Statements (Resumed) (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House today. There is no doubt we were all looking forward to a post-Covid Ireland. Many people who have spoken to me do not want to return to what they experienced before. They want a new Ireland where their loved ones can get a hospital appointment within a reasonable time, where they do not have to pay the equivalent of a second mortgage for caring...

Seanad: Peat Harvesting: Statements (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: We all had.

Seanad: Peat Harvesting: Statements (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He has said that the committee is reviewing the significant positives and negatives but I will again mention an issue that has been mentioned by everybody else who has spoken here this afternoon. I refer to an issue that has featured in every local newspaper, including local papers in County Westmeath. I was shocked to learn, especially as...

Seanad: Peat Harvesting: Statements (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I accept that but let me quote the Minister of State again. He said that he had no problem with extracting peat extraction from the planning process. That is what he said.

Seanad: Peat Harvesting: Statements (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I am not quoting the Minister of State on that but on the whole issue, which is why we need three Ministers. I accept that he did not say that but I quoted him correctly in terms of the exemption from peat extraction. We need three Ministers to debate these matters because, as my colleagues have said, different versions have come from sections of the Government, which is always difficult to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I join my colleagues across the political spectrum in welcoming the announcement that BAM has been awarded the long-awaited contract for the Athy distributor road. My home town has been waiting a long time for this announcement. It is great news and has been widely welcomed by the people of Athy. All we want now is to see the diggers on the ground - the sooner, the better. I also support...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I want to be associated with the vote of sympathy at the start of business today on behalf of the Labour Party. I want to raise two issues today. The first is to seek a further debate on housing. My colleague, Senator Moynihan, has continued to raise the housing crisis on an almost daily basis. In asking for a debate I want to reference an interview I heard this morning on my local radio...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I support Senator Moynihan for bringing this Bill before us. It is very important to give the support that has been given throughout the House given its importance to our student population and how we treat those who are the future of our country. As my Labour Party colleagues said, we have a crisis in student accommodation but it is one that did not need to happen. I am glad the...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Cross-Border Healthcare Directive: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I also thank our guests for coming back to us today. It is important that we get to discuss these issues again. I thank them also for the good news on the extension of the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme. I have some questions on that. Senators Gallagher and Malcolm Byrne have asked some questions on it already. On waiting times, Ms Donohoe stated that 90% of those who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: National Broadband Plan: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the guests. Senator Garvey has mentioned much of what I wanted to speak about, which is businesses, especially rural business. I have a number of problems with businesses within 500 m of fibre broadband but that cannot connect. There is no doubt it is affecting their business and quality of life. I appreciate the answer given to Senator Garvey that one cannot change the broadband...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank the Fine Gael Senators who tabled this Private Members' motion. Obviously, it is timely, given what happened across the water in Glasgow this week. I acknowledge the detailed presentation by the National Transport Authority, NTA, that all Senators received this week. It was exciting in parts. The motion calls for investment in...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: The Senator cannot share time when responding, unfortunately.