Results 5,461-5,480 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Martin Conway: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire sa Teach. It was an innovative approach in the programme for Government to effectively divide the responsibilities of the Department of Finance, placing specific responsibility for public sector reform and expenditure at the level of a full Cabinet Ministry. That set the framework for the commitment of the Government to public sector reform. As an aside with...

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Martin Conway: It is the people's business.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2012)

Martin Conway: I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Darragh O'Brien regarding SUSI, the third level grant application computerised system which is effectively run by Dublin VEC. If SUSI is an example of what centralisation will mean in this country we have a problem because it simply does not work. Some 12% or 15% of grant applications have been dealt with. Those people who apply for grants...

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption: Statements (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Martin Conway: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. One would be somewhat taken with Senator Norris?s quite detailed description of what staff in the emergency services have to put up with as a result of intoxication. Whatever about the weekends, which are dreadful, every night in this city accident and emergency units have to deal with people who are comatose as a result of alcohol misuse. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Martin Conway: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Martin Conway: I agree with the sentiments expressed about the bankers. I have spoken in the House on a number of occasions about bringing the banks to book and have put this question. When the Minister attends the House, he may be able to explain to us what exactly a public interest director of a bank does. I am confused. I do not have a clue what these public interest directors do. They certainly are...

Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Sub-Committee on Penal Reform: Penal Reform: Discussion (24 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: This is has been a most enlightening discussion. I certainly support the concept of 50% remission as a step towards resolving the problems facing the penal system. However, I agree that there might well be a high degree of public resistance to such proposals which would, in turn, manifest itself in a significant degree of opposition in the Oireachtas. A solution might be found by...

Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Sub-Committee on Penal Reform: Penal Reform: Discussion (24 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: What is Professor O'Donnell's view on restorative justice?

Seanad: National Dementia Strategy: Motion (24 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: Hear, hear.

Seanad: National Dementia Strategy: Motion (24 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: It is great to see all-party support for this vital motion. Sometimes I become frustrated at having to discuss these issues because they are, effectively, a fundamental human right. I am glad to welcome An tAire Stáit go dtí an Teach. It must be his fourth or fifth time here. He obviously liked the Seanad when he was a Member, so he is welcome back. This issue is of exceptional...

Seanad: National Dementia Strategy: Motion (24 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: It is great to see all-party support for this vital motion. Sometimes I become frustrated at having to discuss these issues because they are, effectively, a fundamental human right. I am glad to welcome An tAire Stáit go dtí an Teach. It must be his fourth or fifth time here. He obviously liked the Seanad when he was a Member, so he is welcome back. This issue is of exceptional...

Seanad: National Dementia Strategy: Motion (24 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: Hear, hear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Role and Functions: Discussion with Civil Defence Board (24 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: I come from County Clare, which is a coastal county where we often see the benefits of Civil Defence, although in tragic circumstances. At the time of the flooding of half of Ennis, I was chairperson of the SPC and a member of the crisis management team. Reference was made to emergency planning. It is only when one is faced with an emergency that one realises the level of emergency...

Seanad: Junior Certificate Reform and the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy: Statements (23 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: Senator Daly mentioned the Harvard saying that if something is not being measured, it is not being done. As somebody who had the great privilege of attending Harvard as a student for a period, I know another great phrase is "bringing the best" from people in every sense. That sums up what the Minister is trying to achieve with this new framework for the junior certificate. I was in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: I, too, offer my sympathies to the families bereaved at the weekend. It is always good to have discussion and discourse on road safety issues. One death is one too many. I wish to reignite a discussion which took place here last year, namely, whether the clock should go back one hour this weekend. There is considerable research which shows that there are fewer accidents in the morning than...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: We cannot allow a situation whereby the tail wags the dog. In fairness to the Taoiseach and Ministers for Finance and Foreign Affairs and Trade, they have restored our reputation in Europe. We will now get a deal on bank debt because we are respected abroad, in particular in Europe. It speaks volumes that Chancellor Merkel was on the telephone with the Taoiseach for half an hour on Sunday...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: That spokes volumes.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: The Taoiseach is choreographing this properly and correctly. We will get a deal on bank debt, in spite of the misgivings some may have in that regard.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: Shakespeare once said that something was rotten in the state of Denmark. From what I read in the newspaper this morning, it seems something is rotten in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. It is appalling to think that money can buy one's way out of jail. The Minister for Justice and Equality needs to review sentencing in sexual cases.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Martin Conway: I am looking for a debate.