Results 501-520 of 956 for speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: National Forestry Fund: Motion (8 Feb 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House this evening. I thank Senator Boyhan and the Independent Group for using their Private Members' time to discuss this very important matter. As was mentioned earlier, over 80% of this great country was once covered in forests. The current figure is just over 11.6%, and we have a significant target of 18% to reach by 2050. How we get near that...

Seanad: National Forestry Fund: Motion (8 Feb 2023)

Mark Wall: As there are no other Senators presenting, I call Senator Boyhan to respond to the debate.

Seanad: National Forestry Fund: Motion (8 Feb 2023)

Mark Wall: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Feb 2023)

Mark Wall: I want to raise a couple of matters with the Deputy Leader. The first is to seek a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on the circular economy Bill which he has brought before these Houses. The reason I ask for such a debate is the unacceptable dumping that continues to blight our countryside, roads and towns and villages. Of course, great credit must...

Seanad: Family Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (2 Feb 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister to the House to discuss this important Bill, which the Labour Party will support. I note, as colleagues have said, that the programme for Government includes a call for a focus on reforming our family court system to ensure that proceedings involving children are dealt with in a manner that recognises the unique vulnerability and needs of children. That is the most...

Seanad: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (1 Feb 2023)

Mark Wall: Does Senator Ruane wish to press the amendment?

Seanad: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (1 Feb 2023)

Mark Wall: Amendments Nos. 53 and 57 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (1 Feb 2023)

Mark Wall: Is Senator Ruane pressing the amendment?

Seanad: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Committee Stage (1 Feb 2023)

Mark Wall: Amendments Nos. 61 to 64, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jan 2023)

Mark Wall: It is good to see the Deputy Leader in the chair today. I will bring up a number of worrying cases I have been involved in or am currently dealing with that have regard to utility companies whose customers have contacted me. In one case, I spent a number of days over the Christmas holidays helping a family whose power had been cut off despite a moratorium on this happening. Those days with...

Seanad: Protection of Private Residences (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Jan 2023)

Mark Wall: When is it proposed to sit again?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome all the witnesses today: Ms Derval McDonagh, Ms Sarah Jane Lavin, Ms Angela Locke-Reilly, and Dr. Áine Roddy. Ms Lavin, a fellow Kildare person, is particularly welcome from the great county of Kildare. I totally agree with Ms Lavin that independent living does not start at 55. That is a very important issue that she raises today. Could she comment on that? I deal with a...

Seanad: Appointment of Ordinary Members of An Coimisiún Toghcháin: Motion (14 Dec 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House for the debate on this important motion. I welcome this announcement, given its importance to our democratic process, as referred to by colleagues. The Labour Party will support the motion. It is five months since the Electoral Reform Act 2022 was passed but its four independent members are only being appointed today. Will the Minister of State...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022: Second Stage (14 Dec 2022)

Mark Wall: I call Senator Boylan. Is she sharing time?

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022: Second Stage (14 Dec 2022)

Mark Wall: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Community Welfare Service: Department of Social Protection (14 Dec 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank our guests for coming in this morning for this important debate. Based on my 16 short years as a public representative, I would like to thank all the CWOs out there because, as was rightly said, they have a difficult job. They are competent in the job they do and every one of them I have dealt with in those 16 years does their job to the best of their ability. The problem, as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Community Welfare Service: Department of Social Protection (14 Dec 2022)

Mark Wall: Can the witness come back to us on that because it is an important issue? The Department has 432 CWOs and is getting another 74, which is brilliant but we need to know how many of those are actually working. In fairness, I appreciate that there is attrition and whatever else but it is important that we know how many CWOs are operating on a daily basis in the country.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Community Welfare Service: Department of Social Protection (14 Dec 2022)

Mark Wall: I accept that. However over a period of time the witness should be able to give an example. What we are hearing on the ground is that there is a lot of absence and sickness. I can accept a lot of that but we need to know that 412 staff is the figure or how close to that the Department can get. I am sure that figure can be provided to the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Community Welfare Service: Department of Social Protection (14 Dec 2022)

Mark Wall: If the witness wants to give the committee a figure for this week, I will accept that. We can see then where the 412 are and how many people are actively working today. This week would be fine for me and I am sure for other committee members as well, Mr. Hession.