Results 3,421-3,440 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: I had indicated some time ago.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: I indicated at the very start that I wished to speak. I am just pointing that out to the Acting Chairman.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: I indicated my intention to speak was before it was resumed. It was before it finished the last time.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: I thought I was the one with the eyesight problem.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: This debate has already proved to be a very interesting and provocative debate. I listened with great intent to Senator McDowell who made genuine points. I do not question his motivation but I do not agree with him either. The word "diversity" has been bandied about a lot but it still is and will always be an extremely important word. Diversity is something that should define us a people...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: That is a totally separate issue. There is no point in blurring this important debate with a political charge.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: To be fair to Senator Craughwell, he will present us with a presidential election. I wish him the very best of luck and I am sure every Senator in the House would also wish him well. Of course, Michael D. Higgins is a great President. I sincerely hope that he stands again and, if so, he will have our full support.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: Yes. A presidential election is inevitable.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: It seems that Sinn Féin-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: -----will field a candidate anyway.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: The presidential election will be very interesting.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: If I was not interrupted it would be grand. Diversity is what should define us and it should be an aspiration. Senator Ruane was right to table her amendments as it has provoked this debate. I wish to say the following to Senator McDowell. Merit is a basic requirement. I believe that nobody should be considered for appointment unless he or she has merit, irrespective of his or her...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: They should not. Senator McDowell gave very detailed examples yet I did not hear him outline the type of scenario that I have just done. In order words, I wish to reverse his argument. Let us say somebody from the Traveller community was lucky enough to reach the level of junior or senior counsel, and the position of a District Court judge was being considered, and let us say it was noted...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Martin Conway: I have not finished my contribution yet. I urge the Minister for Justice and Equality to see what he can do in the next week in terms of Report Stage. I urge him to come up with a formula that embraces what Senator Ruane wants to achieve and what I presume that we, as a group, want to achieve. We may approach the matter from different angles and I sincerely hope that everybody in the House...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Martin Conway: I also welcome the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, back to the House. He is a regular visitor at this stage. I will begin on a positive note. It is commendable that Senator McDowell will not oppose this Bill on Second Stage. People putting forward Bills often call for Bills to go to Committee Stage, and ask others that they not oppose Bills on Second Stage but allow the debate to continue....

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Martin Conway: Senator Norris is not too far out either. However, I suggest that sometimes a tail might put it up to a governmental dog that something should be done-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Martin Conway: -----and perhaps change is not such a bad thing. One thing we are afraid of in this country is change. We have often seen that in respect of social change, however, when change happens the sky does not fall in. There have often been situations where we were told we face Armageddon should something pass yet when calm is restored, we find that the laws have improved things. I challenge...

Seanad: 25th Anniversary of Decriminalisation of Homosexuality: Motion (19 Jun 2018)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, to the House on this special day. This special speech is a special acknowledgement and a special apology. Like others, I echo everything that has been said about our great and dear friend, Senator Norris. I have got to know him over the past seven years. In that time, I have developed an understanding of the type of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 and Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motions (14 Jun 2018)

Martin Conway: It is regrettable that year after year we have no choice but to renew the provisions of the 1998 Act. More than ever before, these measures are absolutely necessary. The Minister has rightly pointed out the reason the Act had to be brought in back in 1998. The threat to the State and our citizens is as prevalent today as it was then. It has probably become even more prevalent in recent...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion (14 Jun 2018)

Martin Conway: I wish to advise the Acting Chairman that I will not avail of the full eight minutes. I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality to the House. I acknowledge the Government's success in persuading somebody of the calibre of Patrick Sullivan to take up this very important role. His curriculum vitae and experience is extremely impressive. His appointment can only enhance the reputation...