Results 1,721-1,740 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: It is a very interesting discussion. I do not have a deeply held view either way. I remain to be convinced by either side. I have no doubt that the Minister of State is taking on board the various aspects of this. Senator Power spoke about teachers who are not necessarily of a faith teaching the curriculum and I think that most teachers are very professional in that regard. When one is a...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: We all find ourselves in that type of unique situation every now and then. I think the Minister of State will reflect all of these concerns on Report Stage or, at least, I hope he will.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: I agree with the need for this House to have some sort of debate on Greece. It is an international crisis that, regardless of the way it is resolved, will have a detrimental effect on the European project as we know it. Regardless of whether it is resolved satisfactorily or not, Europe has changed as a result of the Greek crisis. It would be no harm if the Leader were in a position to...

Seanad: Choice of Court (Hague Convention) Bill 2015: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, whom I commend him on the dignified way he represented Ireland in America recently. It was a very difficult time for young people and their families, particularly the families of students participating in the J1 visa programme. He represented the Government with dignity in very difficult circumstances.I am keen to put that much on the...

Seanad: Choice of Court (Hague Convention) Bill 2015: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: Next Monday.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Aquaculture Licence Applications (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, and thank you for allowing the Commencement matter to go ahead. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, to the House. This issue is simple. Ballyvaughan in County Clare as well as Fanore and the Burren are among the most unique areas of landscape in the world. The Burren is certainly has a unique style in terms of its rock, limestone,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Aquaculture Licence Applications (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this Commencement Debate matter on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Of course we have to respect the separation of decision-making and so forth as well as the appropriateness of ministerial involvement. However, as I said at the outset the Minister also has responsibility to protect our environment as...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: On 30 June there were two fatalities in County Clare. I understand that in one case the ambulance service had to request the assistance of the fire service. I also understand that as a result of staff shortages in Ennis, paramedics had to be drafted in from other parts of the county which left them compromised in the provision of an ambulance service. In his wisdom, the Minister for Health...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: It would be remiss of me not to echo and endorse the remarks of the Minister of State which are correct. I fully agree with them. I do not think there is anything in his summation that I do not agree with. I come from a rural part of Ireland where the Roman Catholic Church made a significant contribution to teaching and education. If they were not there, it probably would not have...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: There are four primary schools as well. It is hilarious. It is not good for children and it does not create equality. It certainly does not create opportunity. Maybe part of the problem is that so many Oireachtas Members are former teachers.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: It is good to hear a former teacher express the observations he did because I would think he would be in a minority in the Houses of the Oireachtas in terms of his view. Certainly, in my parliamentary party, I hear Trojan defence of the Catholic Church's operation within education and its right of place, etc. I never seek to be in any way disrespectful to them, and certainly I acknowledge...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: We all would agree with that.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: On a point of information for my good friend and colleague-----

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: -----I have always advocated that the education of religion is something to which people should be able to opt in or out.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: I have a high regard for the contributions of my good friend and colleague, Senator Mullen, which are always well thought out and thought provoking. I agree with the principle that the State should be the leading and main provider and manager of education, but I would not subscribe to the idea that religion should not be taught in schools. I think there is a very significant difference...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: -----were it not for the Catholic Church, hundreds of thousands of people would not have got an education. It is easy to be cavalier in dismissing the role of the Catholic Church and, in a modern society that espouses equality, saying it should be the role of the State. I take Senator Bacik's point on board but we must remember the State is run by those who have a mandate from the people....

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: It is a very good debate.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: I express my congratulations to Councillor Breen, who has become Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council. It is a great honour for him. He is a former member of this House. I welcome him. I think his guests from San Francisco may be present also. If so, I welcome them and I hope they have an enjoyable trip to Ireland and to Leinster House. Speaking of County Clare, and what I would...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2015)

Martin Conway: Everybody knows where Shannon Airport is. Everybody knows the address of Shannon Airport.