Results 4,781-4,800 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Staffing (15 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for his candid and frank reply on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills. I appreciate that the Minister of State is only delivering the bad news on behalf of somebody else. We need to become mature when we look at these types of scenario, because every scenario is unique and different. It is most regrettable that the school became ineligible even for...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Staffing (15 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: Cuirim fáilte arís roimh an Aire Stáit. I raise this matter on the Adjournment because of a situation in County Clare in Labasheeda national school. The Minister of State may or may not be familiar with the location, which is in west Clare.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Staffing (15 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I did not doubt that he knew about it, considering his knowledge of County Clare. He will also know that Labasheeda is a good community. Unfortunately, due to a whole host of circumstances, the school finds itself temporarily in a situation in which its student number is under 20. As we know, 20 students seems to be the cut-off for retaining a second teacher. The school has appealed the...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I agree with Senators Jim Walsh and Darragh O'Brien on an appropriate commemoration of Brian Boru. I have suggested previously that the Seanad consider meeting in Dromoland Castle, one of the homes of the O'Briens connected with Brian Boru.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: The O'Briens are also connected with Killaloe. It would be most appropriate if we were to consider meeting at a location outside the city of Dublin to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary. I request that the Leader write to the Taoiseach to see if the Cabinet would be willing to hold one of its meetings in County Clare to coincide with the celebrations which are taking place. I commend all...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: Not always.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I would like to join with the tributes to Ms Jody Blake. It is hard to believe that she will be leaving here. I remember before our first day's sitting, when I was new and quite nervous about the Chamber, I was trying to figure it out. Jody very kindly brought me in and showed me around, so we figured it out. Ever since then I have always found Jody to be a lovely person apart from being...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: My timing is impeccable for once. I hope they have a wonderful experience. Ms Jody Blake has been very good to other schools coming up here, so it is fitting that this school visit occurred today. Today is International Human Rights Day and many human rights issues need to be addressed, including the area of direct provision in particular. It is 15 years to the day since the direct...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: Before the next school term.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I concur with Senator Power's observations that there should be cross-party consensus on the issue. The Minister of State said she will return with substantial responses to the amendments in due course. I disagree slightly with Senator Power about the following. The legislation is probably a little bit more complicated than straightforward because we have spent the bones of an hour...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Bill. It has been hanging around for more than a year and it is great to see the members of GLEN and various LGBT organisations. There is an active LGBT group within Fine Gael under the stewardship of our colleague, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, which is doing great work. Section 37 of the 1998 Act should never have been introduced in the first place. Who were the legislators at...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to speak at such short notice. Today happens to be national job shadow day. There are a number of participants in the national job shadow day in the House. One was supposed to be in my office job shadowing me. I have met a number of them. It is a useful initiative from an organisation that had its roots in Mayo in the Irish supported employment...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (8 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: Ar leath huair tar éis a deich, maidin amárach.

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (8 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I welcome the passing of the Bill. I believe I made a correct decision last Tuesday in my capacity as Acting Leader to adjourn Report Stage until today because the Department and the Minister of State came back with significant clarification on the important issues raised by Senator Quinn, especially with regard to people's homes and the red tape associated with certain provisions. That is...

Seanad: SME Envoy Networks: Statements (3 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State and his appointment as an SME envoy, which is most appropriate given his wide and diverse experience in business and government for the past three years, during which we have seen a significant turnaround in the fortunes of businesses. However, it is a drop in the ocean and what we need to see are the ripple effects across the country in urban and rural areas....

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: The issue of transport has been raised. I agree with my good friend and colleague, Senator Terry Brennan, on his proposal that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges be asked to consider issuing an invitation to Mr. Michael O'Leary, chief executive officer of Ryanair, to address the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: I support my colleague, Senator Terry Brennan, simply because Mr. O'Leary is one of the greatest business people we have ever created.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2014)

Martin Conway: The interruption is much appreciated.