Results 5,581-5,600 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: I would like to address a matter in the newspaper this morning, namely, the statement by the ESRI that there are thousands of people who would be far better off on social welfare than working. I take issue with this statement because, while one can sit down with a calculator and calculate a few facts and figures and argue the toss about a few bob either way, the reality is that people are...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: Senator Leyden should not presume what the people will do.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: We have entered the summer period and hopefully the sun will shine on our beautiful island and the number of tourists who will come here will increase during the next few months. When I go to restaurants and meet people in the hospitality industry they regularly tell me that the reduction of the VAT rate to 9% made a huge different in terms of tourism and employment. I request the Leader to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: I echo what Senator Mullins said about posters. I have an aversion to election posters being left up -----

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: -----for any longer than is absolutely necessary. I hope Senator Leyden has taken down the posters in County Roscommon.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: I believe the Fine Gael posters in Roscommon looked very good and the result was correct. I am delighted with the result of the referendum, which was appropriate. People voted for stability, confidence and rebuilding Ireland. They realised that our future lies in playing a central part in the European movement. However, we will have a fundamentally more important referendum later this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: As it is moving to the next phase, it is very important that the 116000 number be launched as a matter of urgency. I call on the Leader to ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, to ensure this happens. While speaking of children's hotlines, I repeat what I said here previously. It is appalling that Childline is funded completely from voluntary contributions. It...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jun 2012)

Martin Conway: That is a clear example of why we need a referendum to ensure that children's and young people's rights are enshrined in the Constitution. Successive governments have failed the children of this country. I commend the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, in her quest to ensure that the constitutional amendment will receive broad support and that the referendum will happen in 2012 to enshrine the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Martin Conway: I agree with my colleagues who have pointed out how no banker, company director or senior manager has gone to prison or even faced trial for the banking crisis.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Martin Conway: It is most regrettable. Unfortunately, the public associates politicians with this process. There does not seem to be a disconnect. The public does not seem to realise An Garda Síochána and the DPP's office are independent and are responsible for carrying out these investigations as well as moving this process forward. I agree it would be helpful if it were possible for the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Martin Conway: Will the Minister then answer the questions?

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Martin Conway: Can we have a debate on it sometime?

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2012)

Martin Conway: I would like to remind Senator Walsh that when Fianna Fáil was in government, the Taoiseach's advisers were paid €1.2 million. In the present scenario, advisers will cost less than half that.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2012)

Martin Conway: I seek a debate on banking, including the upcoming personal insolvency Bill. The most important legislation the House will deal with this year will be the personal insolvency Bill. It warrants significant debate. I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, which made significant amendments to the heads of the Bill and made additional proposals. We...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2012)

Martin Conway: Such an engagement would be of benefit to this House, the Oireachtas and the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2012)

Martin Conway: That is outrageous.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2012)

Martin Conway: He did not withdraw the comments, a Chathaoirligh. It is not good enough.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2012)

Martin Conway: We all do.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2012)

Martin Conway: I wholeheartedly share the sentiments expressed by Senators Rónán Mullen and Jillian van Turnhout about human rights and the abuse of both the elderly and young children. It is regrettable that we are looking at a 9% increase in the number of cases reported of abuse against older persons. This House has led the way in the debate on this issue. It is astonishing that Childline does not...