Results 5,641-5,660 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: I apologise for being late for what has, no doubt, been a healthy and fruitful discussion. Having called for this debate, I am pleased to speak on the treaty. When the fiscal compact was signed, I took the view that holding a referendum would be healthy. If the Government had ratified the treaty without a referendum, it would have been accused of preventing the people from having their say...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: I agree with Senator Ned O'Sullivan as regards the horse-racing industry. The announcement by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, was spectacular and it seems to have been lost between headlines. It means a national stud in China will have been created and brought about by Ireland. For example, Coolmore stud is a world-class facility and we can all be proud of the Irish horse-racing industry. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: -----and there is a responsibility on the GAA in the first instance. If it does not live up to it there is a responsibility on us as legislators, to ensure that major sporting events with such historic links as the all-Ireland football and hurling finals and the provincial finals and other major GAA events, are available to all citizens of this country, free of charge. It is the least we...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: It was bad for years.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: I believe there will be an inquiry into the night of horrors - the night of the bank guarantee. A proper inquiry into the circumstances surrounding that night is welcome.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: Over 50% of water in this country is wasted. Water is a scarce resource and children in this world would die to get water today. They are dying because they are not getting water. We need a mature debate on water services. It is ridiculous that households do not pay for water services given that businesses and farmers have been paying for them for years. I welcome that the Minister,...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: I am asking a question, a Chathaoirligh. It would be highly appropriate that this House would invite her to address this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: I ask the Leader to raise with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges the question of inviting Aung San Suu Kyi to address this House.

Seanad: Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister to the House. I start on a positive note because while road safety is a political and policy issue, it is not a party political one. The penalty points structure started under the previous Administration and a genuine effort was made under previous Governments to ensure road safety received the priority it needed to reach the relatively good position we are in. My...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: I agree with Senator Daly's contention that we need to tighten the process of objecting to planning permissions in the context of who, how and why. There is significant anecdotal evidence that large sums have been paid by those seeking permission to objectors to facilitate and encourage them to withdraw their objections, which is not acceptable. We need to examine how best to ensure that if...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: It was not.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: A total of 19 convicts have escaped from prisons on the island and are still at large but I was heartened and encouraged to find out that none of them was convicted for murder or manslaughter.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: Well done.

Seanad: Privacy Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: As Senator Catherine Noone is anxious to make a few comments I will facilitate her. Some of the issues I wished to raise have been discussed. I commend Senator Norris for tabling the Bill which is necessary. We do need privacy legislation but it must be the right legislation and that will take time. Having listened to the Minister's contribution, which was one of the most comprehensive I...

Seanad: Privacy Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: If we want to make the Seanad relevant we need to engage in debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: I commend and congratulate the 400,000 people who have already paid the household charge. Let us remember that they are citizens of this country. I also commend the several hundred thousand other citizens who are in the process of paying and will have paid by Saturday. The €100 charge amounts to €2 per week. The Government could have easily increased the standard rate of tax and...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: I do not see people paying their motor tax in the post office.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: People have a responsibility to pay their taxes and abide by a law that was enacted by both Houses of the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: I would not have any problem if the Leader were to decide to have a debate on the household charge. There is a difference between right and wrong and I appeal to citizens to do the right thing, as I know most of them will.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Martin Conway: On a point of order, Senator Noone has been treated appallingly.