Results 4,901-4,920 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: When things go wrong and are not done the way they should be done, the people deserve to know. Senator O'Brien has fulfilled his responsibilities as a Member of this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: Of course he would pass information on to the Garda. He would always do what is right.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: I thank him in that regard. In the week that is in it, I support Senator Kelly's call for a debate on poverty. In each of the past two years, I have spoken in the run-up to Christmas about a homeless gentleman I used to see on the steps opposite the front gate of Leinster House. I have not seen him there so far this year. I shudder to think where that poor man might be at this time....

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: I welcome the imminent announcement of the medium-term economic plan which is taking place today. We can certainly go forward with a new sense of renewal following the exit from the bailout. However, it is always worthwhile to remember that the human cost of the recession is still impacting on and being felt by hundreds of thousands of our citizens, people who lost their jobs and those in...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister. It is to his absolute credit that he has delivered on a commitment made to the Irish people during the most recent general election campaign that there would be radical local government reform. This was the final point in Fine Gael's five-point plan and the Labour Party also made a significant commitment in respect of this issue. In its election manifesto, Fine Gael...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Departmental Correspondence (11 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I acknowledge that the Minister is sincere in her endeavours in this area. The point of this matter on the Adjournment is that decisive action is required at the time of the issue of a death certificate. There needs to be very strict protocols so that as soon as a death certificate is issued, the Department of Social Protection is informed...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Departmental Correspondence (11 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: I have tabled this Adjournment matter as a result of the public highlighting of the fact that relatives of deceased people are receiving correspondence from the Department of Social Protection. I have had several telephone conversations and items of electronic correspondence with the Department since tabling the matter to establish why I did so. The reason is quite simple. I have been...

Seanad: Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Fifth Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: As a Member who participated in the debate, I would like to thank the Minister for the briefings which were made available to us in advance of the Bill. In particular, I pay tribute to Senator van Turnhout who put an enormous amount of work into the Bill. Perhaps in the future when we are looking at political reform, there might be more scope for more engagement in advance of amendments...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: It is a bit rich to listen to some people talking about the Irish language, given that they destroyed it for the 14 years they spent in government.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: It is an absolute fact.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: As a matter of fact, it destroyed it for the last 60 or 70 years.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: In fairness to Senator Ó Clochartaigh, at least he is making some effort to promote the Irish language within the Houses.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: I welcome yesterday's announcement that Garda recruitment will take place in the coming months. It is another step in the right direction. I commend the action taken by the Garda in west Clare in recent days to deal with money laundering and money lending. It is a significant step in the right direction as we try to deal with those who abuse vulnerable people who are in debt and facing...

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Motion (4 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and pay tribute to the Labour Party Senators for tabling this timely motion on an issue which has been given significant time in this House, in terms of discussion, over the past couple of years. It is important to acknowledge the Minister of State's deep, personal commitment to this area despite the challenging economic climate in which we find...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: I was delighted to hear the announcement by Aer Lingus's regional division that it will be bringing 100,000 extra passengers through the newly independent Shannon Airport next year. The airline intends to have a daily service between Shannon and Bristol and to double capacity on the existing routes to Manchester and Birmingham. This will create 20 jobs in Shannon and is a direct consequence...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: Indeed. In addition to the abolition of the travel tax, we have had other successful tourism initiatives such as The Gathering-----

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: Yes. The Government's focused and no-nonsense approach in the areas of aviation policy and tourism marketing strategies is working. It is, in particular, targeting visitors from our neighbours in Britain and throughout western and eastern Europe. I commend all those involved in these successes and wish the people who secure the 20 new jobs in 2014 the very best. I note Aer Lingus's...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Martin Conway: Today is UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities and it is always good to have a day on which people can reflect on what has been achieved to date and what has yet to be achieved. Today's theme is breaking down barriers and opening doors. It is interesting that Ireland has not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Both parties have committed to...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Accommodation (28 Nov 2013)

Martin Conway: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I am disturbed to have to raise this matter which involves looking for basic items. The basic requirement is the continuation of a rental grant for prefabricated accommodation in Scoil Mhainchin national school, Ennistymon, County Clare. The building in which the school is housed is over 100 years old and could do with reinvestment to bring it...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Accommodation (28 Nov 2013)

Martin Conway: I take it that the grant will continue to be paid until the site inspection takes place. Will the Minister of State find out from the Minister for Education and Skills when it is expected the site visit will take place? I assume it will not happen this side of Christmas. We can assume the grant is secure for at least the early part of 2014.