Results 5,681-5,700 of 6,064 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: I refer to every member of society. Everyone who calls himself or herself an Irish citizen has a role to play. It is not only Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: I do not interrupt as a rule.

Seanad: Report of Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements (24 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: I welcome the fact that all parties have accepted the findings of the Mahon tribunal. I genuinely feel sorry for the thousands of people involved in the major political parties who have dedicated their lives to politics and who were let down by a small group of corrupt politicians. The latter effectively destroyed the reputation of politics. I agree in principle with much of what Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Martin Conway: There is much merit in what Senator Barrett stated. What we need in this House is a dedicated water day, where we look at all the elements of water. This House should lead the debate on water. Water is a precious commodity. There are millions of people around the world who would only love a glass of water which we take for granted in this country. A dedicated water day should look, in...

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...