Results 4,241-4,260 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: Too often people talk of historic days, but most people would agree that the passing into law of the Marriage Bill is indeed a historic day. Earlier this year, 22 and 23 May were historic days. I could not but have been proud to be Irish on those days. Moreover, I could not but be proud to be a Senator on a day like today. I am proud to see so many people in the Gallery whose lives are...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: I echo the sentiments expressed by Senator Paul Bradford. We can engage in negative or positive politics. While there are problems that must be addressed, we cannot lose sight of the fact that we have come a long way. The best way to deal with the situation in the North is to have cool heads and try to be as professional as possible in our dealings on it. We owe this to future...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: I do not disagree with my colleagues on the other side of the House on this particular issue. I do not see what harm there would be in laying the plans before the Houses of the Oireachtas, if for no other reason than to keep the issue on the agenda. Senator Barrett is quite right when he speaks of the proud history of this House on environmental issues. In particular, we think of the...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: We can all get caught up in the language used, and while I would be in unison with my colleagues, I would not express outrage at the Minister of State. Unfortunately, Ministers are regularly handed scripts. If Ministers had the time to analyse the content of those scripts, which they do not, the language would probably be quite different.It is a political issue but it certainly is not a...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: The amendment proposed by Senator Barrett makes eminent sense. The word "shall" as opposed to "may" is not a big issue if there is an advisory council with the necessary expertise, even if it may vary in terms of opinion.It is an advisory council and it is there because its members have certain expertise. One cannot help but think that a situation like this is similar to the sub-committee...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Second Stage (20 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: It is great to be in agreement with everything that Senator Darragh O’Brien has said.

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Second Stage (20 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: I would not go that far.

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Second Stage (20 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: It is great to coalesce on important and significant issues like this. There is no doubt that 22 May last was a truly unique day in Irish society. It was incredible the following day to see front pages of every newspaper in the world proclaiming the history that had been made by the Irish people. Ordinary men and women of this country, through secret ballots, expressed their view in their...

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Second Stage (20 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: That was an example of the people having their say and clearly stating what they wanted but it has not been enacted. The Department of Justice and Equality, the phenomenal Minister and her officials deserve huge credit for getting this over the line. I followed the debate on this legislation and civil partnerships in the other House. I understand people's point of view on that issue but...

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Second Stage (20 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: My apologies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Submissions on Drugs Review: Discussion (14 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: Deputy Finian McGrath covered a couple of the questions I was going to ask. I would have had a different view until I went to Portugal. For all of the flaws that were pointed out to us in Portugal by the different people who presented to us, the general theme overall was that moving it into health was the appropriate thing to do. We are now in an election cycle so we need to look at...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: I agree with Senator Kelly’s point on the bail laws. I understand the process relating to proposed legislation has begun but it probably does not go far enough. I join Senator Heffernan and others who paid tribute to Paul O’Connell. He is an iconic Irish sportsperson who hails from Munster. Paul O’Connell epitomises everything that is good about Munster, sport, rugby...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: He is a great ambassador for the mid-west and on each occasion he comes to Lahinch he is very generous with his time. He is never shy about having his photograph taken, giving out autographs or chatting with children, villagers or visitors. Sport is losing a consummate gentleman but I know that gentleman will continue to promote everything that is good about Ireland.

Seanad: Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State who has been very busy in recent days delivering something extremely positive for citizens. I also salute the Bill. This is a classic example of positive politics, with parties collaborating and working together on an issue that will be of benefit to citizens and businesses, especially small and medium enterprises. All Senators will be able to cite examples...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: I join with the Leader, the leader of the Opposition, Senator Bacik and Senator Barrett. Some of us were in the Dáil Chamber for the Budget Statement. Of course sympathy was expressed and there was a minute's silence in the Lower House which was eerie and very powerful, as was the minute's silence proposed by our Leader which reflected the same solace, togetherness and support for the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: Like everyone else, I am delighted to be present on the day the sports capital grants are to be announced. It is a great achievement that the Government can partner many hundreds of sports groups around the country which do so much to help people to improve the levels of their physical activity. Another sector that is doing exceptionally well is tourism, in particular the hotel and...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: I listened intently to my friend and colleague Senator Ó Domhnaill, and I find myself in unison with his analysis of the situation and his critique in terms of the European response and what is required. I respectfully suggest that the dynamic has changed radically in the past year or two. What we saw over the summer has dramatically changed the narrative, the environment and what...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Martin Conway: Hear, hear. Well said.