Results 3,821-3,840 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Independent Reporting Commission Bill 2017: Second Stage (19 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister and thank the parties opposite for their support for, and endorsement of, the Bill. The best any of us can do for the negotiations in the North is wish the parties well in their endeavours to find an agreement. It is in the interests of all Irish citizens, North and South, to find an agreement and I have no doubt that all parties will play a constructive role. I...

Seanad: Independent Reporting Commission Bill 2017: Second Stage (19 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: We all want to be invited.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I really find our colleague, Senator Leyden, to be highly entertaining. We have had some remarkable outbursts from him, particularly in the last Seanad. He seemed to go quiet there for the last six months but I think he is coming back into his form again. It is good to see.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I know the Acting Chairman agrees with me. On a serious note, I am delighted for Senator Lawless. It is not everyone who can say they successfully got a Private Members' Bill over the line. I did need persuasion on the necessity to have pubs open on Good Friday. There are 365 days in the year and they are only closed for two. It is not the biggest crime in the world to leave them closed....

Seanad: Mediation Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister to the House. There is never an easy day as Minister for Justice and Equality and today is no different. It is certainly not an easy day for our esteemed colleague for whom I have huge regard, especially with the report of the Committee of Public Accounts and its damning findings on the Garda Commissioner. While the Minister is probably not in a position to comment...

Seanad: Mediation Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I know it is not.

Seanad: Mediation Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: It is worthy of comment because it was a committee of the Oireachtas. That said, the Bill before the House is welcome although it is a pity it did not happen some time ago. When I was appointed as spokesperson on justice in the Seanad in 2013, following my colleague, Paul Bradford, being kicked out of Fine Gael, mediation was----

Seanad: Mediation Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: Paul Bradford was the spokesperson on justice prior to my appointment at the time. I felt then that mediation had a long way to go in this country to come anywhere near what our European colleagues had to resolve disputes. I decided then to use the mechanisms available to Members to put down a Private Members' motion calling on the Government to develop legislation on mediation. I commend...

Seanad: Mediation Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016: Second Stage (13 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: The Minister of State is always extremely welcome here on his regular visits. He has come here today with extremely important legislation. It is transposing a European directive on victims of crime into Irish law. Much legislation coming here is a result of European directives, which is one of the great benefits of our membership of the European Union. The importance of looking after...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service (12 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, to the Seanad and I congratulate him on his appointment, which in my view is well-deserved. I rise today to raise the extremely important issue of management of the ambulance service. There has been a lot of media coverage in recent years, particularly in recent months, of the ambulance service in regard to response times, ambulance service...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service (12 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. He confirmed what I know about the 2015 review. We are now in the middle of 2017 and one can assume that this review has been completed. My challenge to NAS management is to ask what they have to hide. I would also like to know why they will not publish the report. I acknowledge that this is an operational matter, as the Minister of State...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Pensions: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I thank Mr. Shanley and his colleagues for attending and outlining what seems to be a miscarriage of justice. How does the Garda Representative Association work? Does someone become a de factomember of the GRA once he or she becomes a member of An Garda Síochána or is there an opt-out clause, as is the case in other unions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Pensions: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I am trying to establish whether the representative body had the authority to negotiate on the delegates behalf. If 10% of gardaí had opted out of membership of the GRA, one would question whether it had the authority to enter into this agreement in the first place. Was the Department of Justice and Equality negligent in negotiating with the body? Mr. Shanley said he had not been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Pensions: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I agree. Has the group calculated what the liability to the State would be if its property rights under the Constitution were recognised?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Pensions: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: Is there any other group in the public sector the rights and pension entitlements of which were written away in such a cavalier manner?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Pensions: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: It appears that while the members of the group were in the force, part of their salaries went in tax towards a pension. Did they ever get that money back, given the fact that they did not receive a pension?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Pensions: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Pensions: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Martin Conway: I propose that the committee undertake a report or write to the Minister. This is more of the type of issue in respect of which we have been engaging with the Garda Síochána. Trying to find out what is happening in that organisation is like peeling an onion. It is scandalous that the pension rights of these gentlemen and their colleagues have been written away with the stroke of...