Results 2,401-2,420 of 6,065 for speaker:Martin Conway

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

Martin Conway: I, too, wish everybody all the best for 2021. Hopefully, it will be a better year than 2020. I hope also that it will be a better year for young people, particularly students. I have been particularly troubled over the past couple of weeks by the issue of a return to school. None of us really believed the schools would resume on 11 January and it transpired that that was the case. When...

Seanad: Report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation: Statements (19 Jan 2021)

Martin Conway: On a point of order, my good friend and colleague, Senator Boyhan, said there was no male Senator here at the beginning of the debate. For the record, I was here for the Minister's speech but I had to step out for about ten minutes to do a prearranged media interview. I have been here for the entire debate since.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: I was listening in my office when Senators Crowe and Casey spoke. My heart sank when I heard what they had to say about the hospitality industry and what it has suffered because they are so right. The news last night was yet another blow to the sector and I agree with what others have said on the need for clarity. Clarity is important and I hope it will come in the next day or two....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Just in case I do not get the opportunity to speak tomorrow, I want to wish the Cathaoirleach a very happy Christmas. This is his first Christmas as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and he has done a great job so far. He has been very co-operative and supportive of Members and a great ambassador for Seanad Éireann. I thank him for that. I also want to acknowledge the work done by the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Roll-out of Covid-19 Vaccination: Discussion (16 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Along with other speakers I want to mention the work Professor MacCraith has done but I have a couple of questions. First, the message that the IT system will be ready on the day the vaccine arrives, which Mr. Paul Reid said would be the case, is very welcome but the critical point is public confidence. Does Professor MacCraith believe it is a mistake that the IT system is not ready now in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Roll-out of Covid-19 Vaccination: Discussion (16 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: I asked about the IT system. It has also been raised here that there are people who are not IT literate due to disability, old age or IT poverty. There is not enough clarity on how the witnesses intend to reach out to those people. It is an equality of access issue as well. When the witnesses talk about the IT system they might also develop that point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Roll-out of Covid-19 Vaccination: Discussion (16 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: My final question is to Dr. Ronan Glynn. On a separate note, I commend him on the work he has been doing. There is a lot of media discourse about vaccines. Is he concerned that that will have an effect on people's behaviour now that they know we are on the eve of a vaccine? He might also give us his thoughts on the situation that has developed in Northern Ireland overnight where...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Roll-out of Covid-19 Vaccination: Discussion (16 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Is it possible that NPHET might recommend, as an immediate response, additional restrictions in the Border counties given the very worrying situation in the North?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: I raise the issue of tourism and the effect that the pandemic has had on the sector, particularly on the coach operators who are one of the main actors in the industry in Ireland. The €55 million strategic fund that is being administered by Fáilte Ireland and was announced in the budget is extremely welcome but, unfortunately, the coach operators do not have access to that fund....

Seanad: Commencement of Irish Sign Language Act 2017: Statements (15 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: History was made here today because I do not recall a Member, a Cathaoirleach or a Minister ever speaking in sign language in this House.It is yet another first in the Seanad Chamber. The work the Cathaoirleach has done on this issue has been immense. I can stand here in front of him and say that we would not be where we are today but for what he did, his commitment and dogged determination...

Seanad: Access to Contraception: Motion (15 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: I commend and welcome the motion from our Green Party colleagues. I note the fact it is a clear commitment in the programme for Government. Furthermore, it is a recommendation in the report of the committee on the eighth amendment. While many recommendations in the committee's report gained huge traction and coverage at the time, this particular recommendation did not. It is a critical...

Seanad: Access to Contraception: Motion (15 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Parties are always evolving.

Seanad: Access to Contraception: Motion (15 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Exactly.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Hopefully, it will not be another 60 or so years.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. She is becoming a frequent and regulator visitor, and it is always great to have her here. I see this Bill as a positive development. The facility in Dundrum is clearly not fit for purpose. What we are facilitating through what is a largely technical Bill, but yet a very important statement, is transferring the Central Mental Hospital into the...

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Now.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: I listened with great interest to Senator Murphy and his experience with Cloverhill Prison. I want to comment on what Senator McDowell said. I do not necessarily subscribe to the view that Thornton Hall was a mistake and I certainly do not subscribe to the view that it should have been scaled back. There was potential there for a centre of excellence where we would have had as many...

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Hear hear.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Now.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2020)

Martin Conway: Now.