Results 4,461-4,480 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Mediation Services: Motion (4 Feb 2015)

Martin Conway: I move: That Seanad Éireann: - acknowledges the Government’s commitment to further develop and expand mediation services throughout the State; - notes the transformative element of mediation in civil proceedings whereby parties in a dispute take responsibility for their disputes and actions so that relationships are maintained in private, quickly and with dignity; -...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Martin Conway: Like many more, I wish to raise the proposed purchase of Aer Lingus by IAG and the strange offer that is on the table concerning the Heathrow slots involving the chambers of commerce. I have huge regard for the chambers of commerce in the country, particularly the Shannon chamber, which is a long-running chamber that does fantastic work. The Taoiseach addressed a luncheon organised by the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: It has come to my attention during the past couple of days that 8% of public servants are in receipt of the family income supplement, FIS, which is a worrying statistic. This would suggest that a section of middle Ireland is caught between a rock and a hard place and under severe financial pressure. Government has promised a spring statement in the coming months regarding the economy and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (29 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Simon Harris, and thank him for coming to the House to address this issue. It is often the case that Ministers who do not have direct responsibility for the particular areas under discussion come to the House to deliver the good or bad news. It is nice, therefore, to have a Minister before us who has direct responsibility...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (29 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State. I am not unduly surprised by the reply. The reason I tabled this matter is to flag it for the future. As our economy becomes more buoyant we have a responsibility to ensure that all citizens are treated equally. Certainly, it is appropriate that the scheme be available to the six categories outlined, but a seventh category should be included. Hopefully, in...

Seanad: Universities (Development and Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan. I am delighted that she is engaging with what has to be described as a very interesting and innovative Bill from Senator Sean D. Barrett. He used the word “innovation” in his contribution and referred to the need for it. This legislation is certainly an innovation. With his expertise, not only in...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: Like most people in the mid-west, particularly in County Clare and specifically in Shannon, I note the bid which has been submitted to Aer Lingus by International Airlines Group, IAG, for a takeover of the airline. I also note with interest and some concern that Aer Lingus is accepting that bid. However, I welcome the fact that the Cabinet and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, have decided to...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. He has been in office just over six months and this is probably his second or third time speaking about direct provision in the Seanad. This is an issue that is very close to the hearts of many Senators. The all-party working group on direct provision was founded from this House through Senator van Turnhout,...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: That is still the case.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: That is a good point.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: Yesterday, I called for the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to come to the House to outline what exactly is involved in retaining protected structures. I have spoken to many in the north Clare area in the past 24 hours since the news broke about the National Roads Authority's decision to make €6 million available to demolish homes and businesses in order to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Bovine Disease Controls (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: No one disputes that. I wish to make two very quick points that I omitted to make in my opening remarks. The first is that the gentleman's father voluntarily participated in the scheme in 2012, along with the 7,500 other farmers in the country who were involved. Second, his herd was shown to be negative for the disease. With respect to the officials who prepared the Minister of State's...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Bovine Disease Controls (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: An additional cost is being incurred. The farming family in question will incur double costs through no fault of their own following the transfer of the farm from father to son. Surely to God the Minister of State would agree that is not fair.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Bovine Disease Controls (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: But they should-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Bovine Disease Controls (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: But they should not be penalised financially for doing it.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Bovine Disease Controls (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: I accept that.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Bovine Disease Controls (22 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. This issue was brought to my attention some months ago by a young farmer who had recently inherited his father's farm. We are all asked by Government and farming associations to encourage people to transfer family farms to young people who, perhaps, would be more efficient in terms of how they do their business and who are committed to farming...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: Will the Leader arrange a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris, who is responsible for the Office of Public Works, because I want to know how these registers of protected structures at regional level work? We have a situation in Ennistymon in County Clare where two buildings are allegedly on this register of protected structures. They are known as Blake's and Linnane's and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Child Care Services Funding (21 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: The Minister, Deputy Reilly, is very welcome to the House. Part of his brief relates to significant health issues such as the elimination of tobacco smoking, and it is a good description of him to say he is a quasi-Minister for Health. A child care and crèche facility in Milltown Malbay in County Clare is on the verge of closing. The Spraoi facility looks after up to 80 children and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Child Care Services Funding (21 Jan 2015)

Martin Conway: Is there is money to which this group is entitled and has access but that it is not getting because there has been a delay in the Department for some reason? Maybe I am wrong, but that is my understanding of the problem. The money is there and has been allocated but there seems to be a time delay in terms of its release.