Results 1,881-1,900 of 4,153 for speaker:Martin Kenny

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Citizenship Rights and DeSouza Judgment: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: I wish to welcome the witnesses and thank them for coming in this morning. I wish to assure them of my support, and the support of practically everybody in the Oireachtas for the position they have taken and the courageous efforts they have made to set out a basis for equality. That is really what this is about. It is not about one being better than the other, although sometimes it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Citizenship Rights and DeSouza Judgment: Discussion (4 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: It is clear that both Governments, as co-sponsors, have equal responsibility in respect of this, and the British Government is failing in its responsibility. In that context, would the witnesses concur that the Irish Government has a responsibility - if not to put pressure on - to create a situation where the British Government has to come up with a responsible situation with regard to Irish...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (5 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: That is not the question.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: What about leaders?

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: Poor leaders.

Rent Freeze (Fair Rent) Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: I welcome the Bill. The intention is that €1,500 would be put back into the pockets of renters every year through a tax break, which they badly need. It was ironic to hear the criticism of that earlier, given that the Government has given tax breaks for the past number of years to developers and every other sector in society, except to people who are trying to rent a home and keep...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: I also wish to raise the Building Community Resilience report by Dr. Johnny Connolly. It stated in the report that just over 1% of people in the community concerned were involved in this criminal activity and that is an important lesson because this report reflects many other communities around the country that are in a similar position and that are often termed "gangland". It is not; only...

Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2019: First Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: This Bill is warranted in the context of so many young women who fall foul of sexual violence and sexual attack and do not come forward. Very often, they do not come forward because of what they read in the newspapers and because of the atmosphere around all of that. They see these trials as a re-victimisation of the person and a degradation of their humanity. That is what happens in many...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: The Taoiseach mentioned various infrastructure projects that are going ahead throughout the State. All of that is welcome where it is happening. I want to take this opportunity to raise healthcare infrastructure, namely the Cuisle home in County Roscommon. It is unique infrastructure as a resort that provides for people with disabilities, which many people across the country use for...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: These people have few choices in life. They should be given a choice as to where they avail of respite services. I implore the Taoiseach to use whatever influence he can to make that happen.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): National Economic and Social Council (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: Last year, the NESC published its important report No. 145, entitled Urban Development Land, Housing and Infrastructure: Fixing Ireland’s Broken System, which described the housing system as speculative, volatile and expensive. Launching the report, Dr. Rory O'Connor stated, "We know from experience that in countries with more effective, affordable and stable housing systems - such as...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): National Economic and Social Council (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: It is the opposite.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Civil Service Renewal Plan (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: The Civil Service renewal programme was launched five years ago by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and earlier this year, it was lauded for the improved gender balance across the Civil Service as an area of significant progress and achievement from the plan. Unfortunately for the women who work in the Civil Service and the public sector, the figures do not support the...

Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: I welcome the legislation and I commend Senator Ó Céidigh and the other Senators for bringing it forward. The truth is that perjury is something we have had in our society for a long time. As Deputy O'Callaghan mentioned, if we go right back to the 1700s, we find it on the Statute Book. It is interesting that one of the big things people had in their lives, certainly among the...

Domestic Violence: Statements (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: We all have long experience of speaking on this issue. I was a member of Leitrim County Council for many years. Many people came to me privately to talk about the situations they were in. I have great respect for the domestic violence advocacy service in Sligo. I have had to direct many people there many times. The level of funding received and the way in which the service considers it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: I thank all of our guests for their contributions this morning. I would like to tease out a few things a little more. Almost all the contributors have referred to class actions, multiparty actions and the impact they may have. I recently raised with the Minister for Health the case of a woman who had a settlement in court. She is one of probably 150 or 200 people in the country who have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: Is it possible to ensure that the legislation contains as many conditions as possible to avoid any negative impact like that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: One current example is the replacement hip joint used for hundreds or probably thousands of people in the country which was found to be defective. It was used all over the world, yet in Ireland each person is fighting individually. To me that would be a very typical multiparty class action and there would not be an issue because it is very clear there is a problem. The reason Professor...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: If the civil legal aid was expanded and properly resourced, would that resolve many of those issues?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Dec 2019)

Martin Kenny: In respect of homelessness and housing, we come across people paying very high rent who cannot get any result if the house is damp or cold, the heating does not work, the landlord will do nothing and they go to the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, and the battle goes on. They feel they cannot get anywhere. On the other side, there are people in rented accommodation who do not pay the rent....