Results 4,021-4,040 of 6,065 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: Like many, I have been watching nightly what is going on in America with the newly-elected President Trump. Sometimes I wonder if it is a nightmare I will wake up from or is it reality. Unfortunately, it is very real. For many years I have taken a position on the US military use of Shannon Airport and believe that it is not appropriate that the US military should have free access to...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: We are a neutral country. We have always prided ourselves on our neutrality. I do not accept the business case for the US military using Shannon. So be it if it goes to Germany or some other country with its business. With the present leadership in America I would be quite happy to see that happen. In the intervening period I call on the Leader to request the relevant authorities in this...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (25 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: I move:That Seanad Éireann– - recognises the role of history in promoting civil engagement and an understanding of the present through a knowledge of events in the past; - recognises that public engagement and awareness of history has been enhanced following the centenary of the 1916 Rising which saw thousands of commemorative events take place all over the country; -...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (25 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: To echo the positive note, it will be a very good day for myself and Seanad Éireann if part of my legacy in politics is that in 2021 some people in the Department of Education and Skills credit the motion with that type of fostering of learning and achievement.

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (25 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: You never know. I agree more than I disagree with what the Minister has said, but I never would have pigeonholed him in any way just because he comes from the jobs portfolio. To be fair to him, he held the position of education spokesperson for Fine Gael for many years when it was in opposition. I have a deep interest in education because I believe it is one of the best ways of getting...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (25 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: -----and equip them the way we want them equipped. I salute them for doing a wonderful job. There is a Dublin branch to the History Teachers' Association of Ireland. I did not know that until today. These teachers are doing a wonderful job in imparting knowledge to our young people. I commend teachers in general, but today is for the teachers of history, including retired history...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Legal Aid Board: Discussion with Chairman Designate (18 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: I wish Mr. O'Leary well in what is an important role that benefits and is supposed to benefit the most vulnerable in our society. I am rather alarmed at the anomalies Mr. O'Leary has outlined to Deputy O'Brien, especially the specific example. I am always a great believer in a certain element of discretion. We are in a systems-driven society. Whether it is a third level grant application...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Legal Aid Board: Discussion with Chairman Designate (18 Jan 2017)

Martin Conway: If we are all still here in 12 months time perhaps the Chairman might ask Mr. O'Leary to come back to the committee to reflect on his year as chairman of the Legal Aid Board.

Seanad: Courts Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Dec 2016)

Martin Conway: As the Minister of State has said, this is a largely technical Bill. In the justice area, one often deals with legislation arising from court judgments. This Bill is largely the result of rulings of the courts in July of this year.It is a technical Bill. I respect that there are minor changes the Minister of State would like to make, as we all would. The changes are in train. New...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Dec 2016)

Martin Conway: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Courts Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Dec 2016)

Martin Conway: At 11.30 a.m. next Tuesday.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Rural Resettlement Scheme (14 Dec 2016)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, who is a frequent visitor to the House and usually has reasonably good news. I hope he will have good news on this occasion too. The Minister of State will be aware that Rural Resettlement Ireland, a housing NGO that was begun by Mr. Jim Connolly in Kilbaha in west Clare, has been responsible for relocating hundreds of families from...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Rural Resettlement Scheme (14 Dec 2016)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for endorsing the ethos of the case I have made. I am delighted a positive meeting was held between departmental officials and Jim Connolly of Rural Resettlement Ireland, who is based in Kilbaha in west Clare. I hope the meetings in the new year will be even more positive, because Rural Resettlement Ireland has a proven track record going back to the early...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Equality/Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill: Discussion (14 Dec 2016)

Martin Conway: I did not expect to be the lead speaker. I take the Minister of State at face value and believe he is genuinely committed to this issue. It is a pity that he did not meet his target. I ask him to elaborate further on the reasons for the delay. He mentioned the Attorney General and having to deal with complex legal issues. I am perplexed by what he meant by the term "complex legal issues"...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Equality/Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill: Discussion (14 Dec 2016)

Martin Conway: The Minister of State may feel he made a mistake by expressing the optimistic view, when he took up his portfolio, that ratification would take place by the end of 2016. There is a legitimate expectation of a timeframe. I am worried that the Minister of State is not prepared to commit to a timeframe now. When he took up office, he was happy to stipulate the end of 2016. We have reached...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Equality/Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill: Discussion (14 Dec 2016)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for his sincere comments. He has a new portfolio and it is the first time that disability has been represented at Cabinet. Has he met his expectations? Today we are debating one specific issue but in terms of the overall service provision for people with disabilities and what he hoped to achieve under the programme for partnership Government and so forth,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Immigration and Refugee Crisis: Discussion (14 Dec 2016)

Martin Conway: I thank Deputy Clare Daly. A couple of the questions I wished to ask have now been asked by her. I have a brief comment to make and a question to ask. The previous justice committee did a great deal of work in this area. I have been a member of the ad hoccommittee on direct provision. The situation in respect of direct provision has certainly been a very shameful for this country. I have...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Suspended Sentences of Imprisonment) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2016)

Martin Conway: This is a technical Bill. As we were in the last term when the Cathaoirleach was just a spokesperson on the other side of the House, the Seanad is happy to facilitate the passing of legislation. I encourage the Minister of State and the Tánaiste to initiate Bills in this House. We would be delighted to debate and legislate in respect of such Bills. Seanad Éireann has a proud...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Suspended Sentences of Imprisonment) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2016)

Martin Conway: Only a small bit? It was a big bit.

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Dental Services Waiting Lists (24 Nov 2016)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State. I think it is my first time speaking in her presence in this Chamber. She is heartily welcome. I congratulate her on her well-deserved appointment. As a Deputy and as a former councillor over the years, I am sure she has experienced the issue I am raising today. Children who have difficulties with their teeth can become agitated, difficult and...