Results 5,881-5,900 of 6,020 for speaker:Martin Conway

Seanad: Public Policy and Planning: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, on his appointment as Government Chief Whip. The word "gentleman" is often used and abused on the corridors of this House but Deputy Kehoe is a gentleman to his fingertips. I am delighted at his appointment. His presentation today was very enlightening. We all know the importance of gathering accurate information. The Central Statistics...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: Today is world vision day, which is observed to highlight ophthalmic health and the challenges facing the blind and visually impaired community. Unfortunately, 100 blind and visually impaired people are about to hold a protest outside Leinster House to urge the Government to establish a working group that would implement the recommendations in the World Health Organisation report...

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: I raise this matter because I am very concerned about a particular case in County Clare where the Equal Status Act and Equality Tribunal are being abused by an individual. To date, an individual in the county, Ms Heather Rosen, who is an advocate on behalf of the Traveller community, has made 1,300 complaints against Clare County Council to the Equality Tribunal under the Equal Status Act....

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: The matters I raise are on the public record.

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: In that case, I will refrain from doing so. The cases in question are, however, in the public domain as they were brought before the Equality Tribunal and have been covered in the media. Anyone may make a complaint to the Equality Tribunal. While the tribunal does important work, the problem I have is with the complete absence of procedures. An individual can write a complaint on the back...

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response. The best way of describing the case I have raised is to say it is a corporate effort by an individual to abuse the ethos of the Equality Tribunal. How can one individual make 1,300 separate complaints? If the Equality Authority was operating in the real world, it would have dealt with this matter. It is completely unacceptable...

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: I will get to that matter. The Minister must do something. I will not mention the details of the case referred to but every single complaint has been dismissed. A further 1,300 complaints from the same individual remain to be assessed. The local authority is stretched to the limit in trying to make ends meet, but it has to bring forward a defence and send people to Dublin.

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: This is important.

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: We would have finished the discussion if the Acting Chairman had not interrupted me.

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: The reality is that there has been what I would describe as a systematic attempt to undermine the Equality Tribunal. In a case in which multiple complaints are reported to the Equality Tribunal by one individual, surely to God the Minister for Justice and Equality can do something to bring the matter to an end.

Seanad: Equal Status Act (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: I was seeking an alteration to the legislation.

Seanad: Missing Children Hotline: Motion (12 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister to the House. The fact that a senior Cabinet Minister has responsibility for children, for the first time, makes a statement that the protection of children is one of the Government's key priorities. The Chair may recall that last July, I raised the question of the 116000 number on the Adjournment. I got a very positive response from the Minister on that occasion....

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: People would not be seeking a debate on the two forthcoming referendums, if the Referendum Commission was doing the job it is paid for. The commission has fallen short and has failed miserably to communicate the message concerning both referendums. The Referendum Commission is funded from taxpayers' money. The Leader should communicate our displeasure and dissatisfaction at the behaviour...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: Ray Burke nearly destroyed RTE.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: RTE was brought to its knees in the 1990s by Ray Burke.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: My question for the Leader is simple. I want a debate on broadcasting and I also want to know if there are going to be new libel laws. If not, can we debate the necessity for them?

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Cullinane. It is opportune for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come into the House for a debate on the various aspects of human rights that affect many different migrant communities and minority groups in this country. The periodic review is taking place as we speak. It is probably the first time we have put ourselves up for...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid (5 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: I welcome the Minister of State and it is good that the Minister with responsibility for overseas development aid is taking it. That is an endorsement of the work we are trying to do in the House. The Government has been proactive on international aid for many years and the people, going back generations, have willingly assisted people in the Third World and in other distressed. Many...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid (5 Oct 2011)

Martin Conway: I thank the Minister for that comprehensive reply. My purpose for raising this matter on the Adjournment was to ensure that it is given the necessary political weight. Next year will be an important one in terms of deciding out future in overseas development aid with the publication of the White Paper. I am putting down a marker that this country and this Government has an obligation to...