Results 341-360 of 418 for long speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Martin Conway: ...was a west of Ireland issue, initially affecting County Clare the worst and then its neighbouring counties. However, this is now a national issue. It requires a national response. All areas along our rivers or the shore have now been affected. We saw many news reports last night of areas of the country, including the Leader's city of Waterford, that have been destroyed by flooding. We...

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Martin Conway: ...mistakes. We also need a Minister to take charge of Departments' responses. A short-term response that gets people back in their homes and protects those homes is critical, but we also need a longer-term response. I have been told that a number of Departments are responsible. I am referring to the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Martin Conway: I suggest that the discussion on the revelations regarding this country's charity sector will have a cleansing effect on charities in the long term. The public has directed its antennae towards charities to a much greater extent. When people donate money, they will ask questions. That will lead to a positive situation for charities that do things properly, have proper corporate governance...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Martin Conway: ...case and what happened in Donegal a number of months ago, and in other areas, focuses our minds and underlines the need for new initiatives targeted at ensuring old people can remain living in their homes as long as possible because that is what all of us would like.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2013)

Martin Conway: ...fighting to increase rather than decrease our quotas. We must fight because fishing is a growth industry. In regard to medical cards, I suggest to the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, that it is long past time for it to set up some sort of customer feedback panel to find out how customers are being treated. A lady on my local radio station this morning, Clare FM, was in a very...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Animal Welfare (26 Nov 2013)

Martin Conway: ...Deputy Brian Hayes, were to let it be known to the city manager that it would be his wish that Dogs Aid would be accommodated here on a temporary basis until such time as it can find more suitable long-term accommodation. I suggest a letter or communication from Deputy Brian Hayes's office to the city manager. Obviously, the Minister of State does not have power to direct the city...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Martin Conway: ...endorsed the campaign and it has been accepted in Northern Ireland. I would like to know the Government position on this. Every day there is a delay in adopting the policy is a day too long. We need to see action in this area. What Joe Brolly has done for organ donation in this country is phenomenal. I was most disappointed at the position of the Irish Kidney Association. What Joe...

Seanad: Science Week: Statements (12 Nov 2013)

Martin Conway: ...to what is being done in this country at second level. Investment in science is an investment in the future. One might not see a benefit instantaneously, but there is a clear benefit in the long term, not least in so far as it fosters confidence among investors internationally. Investors seeking bases in which to invest or set up business will see us as a nation investing in science and...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2013)

Martin Conway: ...like to see it go. We must target our resources at those who need them most. While it may be difficult to police and implement that approach, there are means by which it could be done. I have long advocated that the budget process should be the summing up of a period of lengthy consultation within Parliament. I credit the Leader for facilitating significant debates in the lead up to...

Seanad: Irish Sign Language: Motion (9 Oct 2013)

Martin Conway: ...of what the Government is doing in every area, from the Revenue Commissioners and education to social welfare and the various pilot initiatives. They are all extremely welcome, but we are still a long way from utopia and from where we need to be in terms of equality of access to information for members of the deaf community. I agree with the Minister that there is no point in having...

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Martin Conway: ...This problem is almost as bad as it was five years ago in the sense that many businesses in the mid-1990s, when they were trying to get some sort of security for the future of their businesses, entered into long-term leases, some of which were for 25 years, 35 years and longer. Landlords were quite happy with this arrangement. Tenants entered into this arrangement to ensure they had some...

Seanad: Tackling Bullying in Schools: Statements (Resumed) (26 Sep 2013)

Martin Conway: .... Bullying is a scourge at present. It must be nipped in the bud and dealt with as much as it possibly can be. As has been said already, we will never eliminate bullying altogether. As long as there are human beings there will be bullying, but we can at least put safeguards in place to identify it at an early stage.

Seanad: Tackling Bullying in Schools: Statements (Resumed) (26 Sep 2013)

Martin Conway: ...no timeframe. In this instance a clear timeframe has been provided. We are dealing with an absolutely awful development. Bullying has taken place in schools for many years. It has existed for as long as children have been educated. Now there is a different style and facet to bullying due to the use of modern technology. I have no doubt that in 20 or 30 years' time that there will be...

Seanad: Directive of European Parliament on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children: Statements (19 Sep 2013)

Martin Conway: ...His contribution as Minister of State has been well noted. His views on the future of the House will be decided by the people on 4 October, and everyone will move on from that. It puzzles me how long it has taken to get this directive enacted. I know it is replacing an older framework going back to 2004. The issue surrounding child abuse and child pornography is very much an...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Cúirt Achomhairc) 2013: An Dara Céim - Thirty-third Amendment of the Constitution (Court of Appeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage (24 Jul 2013)

Martin Conway: ...current caseload of the Supreme Court and address the logjam. Justice delayed is justice denied. The Minister is proposing comprehensive reform of the courts system. This should have been done long ago and it is welcome that the matter is finally being addressed. I have every confidence that citizens will view the Minister's proposals as a correct step forward and endorse them. I...

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Martin Conway: ...of disabilities is a right and something to which we need to aspire. As a young fellow in County Clare, I remember not being able to participate in sport and feeling excluded but we have come a long way as a country. Special Olympics Ireland played a critical role in ensuring healthy living and participation among people with disabilities in sport. What has been achieved is remarkable....

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2013)

Martin Conway: ...this issue? Suicide is a serious problem. The Minister of State, because of her portfolio, is probably more aware than most parliamentarians of the devastating effect of suicide. I have thought long and hard about this and do not accept that section 9 of the Bill should not be included. I have not spoken very much on this issue. I have kept my own counsel, but I believe the provisions...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Child Abduction (11 Jul 2013)

Martin Conway: ...a meeting in Dublin between the most senior official in the Department and the two fathers when they return to see if assistance can be provided to deal with this situation? I fear it will be a long and difficult road and that the two fathers in question will need every assistance they can get from the Government.

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Second Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Martin Conway: ...sustainable financially. I understand we have among the best maternity leave periods in Europe. The Minister, Senator White and Senator Moran would know more about this than me but it is not too long ago when it was ten weeks and then 14 weeks. Coupled with that, a woman expecting a baby might have to go on maternity leave two weeks prior to her due date but for health reasons could not...

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Second Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Martin Conway: ..., all these issues could be thrashed out on Committee Stage. Members on all sides of the House could table amendments that might considerably enhance and improve the Senator's Bill. We have come a long way in terms of recognising the importance of having parents available to care for their child when it is born. I would like to see an enhancement of parental responsibility beyond the 26...