Results 481-500 of 544 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

Seanad: Report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation: Statements (Resumed) (26 Jan 2021)

Vincent P Martin: As other speakers said, it is good to see Senator Boyhan in the Chair today. I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and thank him for coming to the House last week. I concur with the comments of the leader of the Green Party in the Seanad, Senator Pauline O'Reilly, on the first day of this debate.It is so good to see Senator Boyhan in the Chair today. I welcome the Minister, Deputy...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: On behalf of the Green Party, I wish to refer to how we recognise and value elected members of local government and to demand fair treatment for them considering the incredibly hard work they do. All Members of the Seanad bring their own experiences and they are all very helpful in offering their opinions and making suggestions on supporting local county councillors. I would like to believe...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Deep division remains and festers on this island in respect of legacy issues. We may have peace in Northern Ireland but we certainly do not have normal relations. The past is not exclusively to be shared by one tradition only. No atrocity, no matter how wicked, can justify and encapsulate the pain and loss suffered by so many. A few weeks ago, this House unanimously called for a public,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I would like to commend the BBC on its public broadcasting investigative work. It has exclusively revealed, as recently as yesterday, further abuses of the Uighur population in the western region of Xinjiang in China. This is further prima facieevidence of concern regarding enforced labour. The BBC was able to identify a so-called detention or overnight long-term accommodation camp that is...

Seanad: Access to Contraception: Motion (15 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: An awful lot of ground has been covered. With the level of erudite debate, fire and passion and zealous commitment, the advocacy of women's rights has never been as strong in this country. Any young person, be it a boy or a girl, who witnesses this debate will be inspired by the respect, fire, passion and intelligence of the debate. Women's rights and the advocacy for same are in a safe...

Seanad: Access to Contraception: Motion (15 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: They are always evolving and changing. No one should every be afraid of change. Evolution is a good thing.

Seanad: Access to Contraception: Motion (15 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I commend everyone and feel privileged to be part of this erudite debate. I thank Senator Pauline O'Reilly who moved the motion and will close the debate. Finally, I thank the Leas-Cathaoirleach for his indulgence.

Seanad: Access to Contraception: Motion (15 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: It goes to show the sincere seriousness of the debate that the Leas-Chathaoirleach asked me to take the Chair in order to facilitate him in addressing the House. I was happy to do that.

Seanad: Annual Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (9 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is so important that hope and the recognition of the challenge coexist in the same room; they are not mutually exclusive. I recall the current Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, addressing a public meeting in Naas a few years ago when the latest league tables were published and Ireland was a laggard. I recall him saying we still have our hope. Therefore,...

Seanad: Annual Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (9 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: May I offer the Minister a point of information?

Seanad: Annual Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (9 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Through the Chair, the consensus has to start in the Oireachtas. I would love to see climate action receive the same scale of cross-party support as our approach to Brexit and the Good Friday Agreement. It is too big to mess around with. I know the Minister would agree with that.

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (2 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I thank the Minister for his time, both today and during our consideration of the Brexit omnibus Bill, read on Second Stage yesterday. It is much appreciated. I can only imagine how busy his timetable is. The Minister referred to the common travel area and the unique relationship between Britain and Ireland. Thankfully, on a very significant day for a maturing democracy, the people of...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (2 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I am aiming for the stars and I hope we will hit the ceiling.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Ireland has a long history of friendship with the people of Ethiopia. It saddens us all to hear recent reports of atrocities and identity-based attacks across the country. With the regional communications blackout, it is difficult to verify the number of deaths and we know thousands have been displaced and will face an uncertain winter. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney's, call last...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: On a point of order, I apologise in advance to the Leader but I cannot stay to hear her response on the Order of Business because I have to go to a committee meeting. I will play it back later.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Dec 2020)

Vincent P Martin: The Green Party also supports the legislation. On behalf of the Green Party I thank the Minister for his sterling efforts. It was a time for diplomacy and calm heads and he demonstrated these in bucketfuls. There was a temptation to go down the road of Brit bashing and we would have lost heavily if we had fallen for that temptation. I am glad to say we have not done so. I concur with...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2020: Motion (25 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I am sure the Minister is aware that the very fine Kildare equine tradition is second to none, not just in Ireland but in the world. Its potential is probably still unfulfilled. Kildare should be the world leader and headquarters of the equine industry. If one were to put together what the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield means to snooker, what Alexandra Palace means to darts and what Wembley...

Seanad: Inquiry into the Murder of Mr. Patrick Finucane: Motion (25 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs and John Finucane, MP for Belfast North, to the Chamber. I was delighted to sign and co-sponsor thus motion on behalf of the Green Party presence in the Republic of Ireland. The Green Party leader in Northern Ireland, Clare Bailey MLA, signed the equivalent motion in Northern Ireland along with the three other party leaders. I agree with Senator...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2020: Second Stage (18 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. People are judged by actions, not mere words. Today is an action. I hope I can be forgiven for not getting carried away and being slightly reticent in not being overly optimistic for any radical solution in the short term. One only has to look at the history and the delay upon delay the House has suffered. In 1979, the outcome to a...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2020: Second Stage (18 Nov 2020)

Vincent P Martin: -----was a wonderful gentleman and was missed during the general election as well to crunch the figures and predict individual constituencies. He is irreplaceable. We had so many others such as Katherine Zappone, John Crown, the brilliant Feargal Quinn, and let us not forget the role of the Attorneys General. With a week to go, I recall John Rogers being hauled out on the “Six One...