Results 581-600 of 830 for speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising) Bill 2021: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank my Labour Party colleagues for agreeing to this Private Members' business. I also thank the Leader for facilitating this debate, given the changes over the past two weeks. It is very much appreciated. I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to the House. I put on record once again my thanks to him for his leadership and commitment on this public health issue in...

Seanad: Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising) Bill 2021: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank the Acting Chairperson for her kind words and encouragement. As Senator Cassells said, a number of Senators have spoken passionately over the past two years about gambling. Indeed, I have joined Senators Cassells, Pauline O’Reilly and Mullen on a number of podcasts on this important topic. Concern about this issue is cross-party and that message is loud and clear here...

Seanad: Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising) Bill 2021: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021: Second Stage (22 Mar 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State. I thank An Garda Síochána for the work it does every day in all our communities. In recent days with St. Patrick's Day parades, etc., we have seen the work gardaí do in our communities and it must always be recognised. As Senator Craughwell has said, over 200 attacks took place in 2020, which indicates how much compensation we need to give to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I will start by thanking the Cathaoirleach for facilitating today's visit by Athy Sing and Sign. He has been to the fore as regards the Irish Sign Language, ISL. Athy Sing and Sign has always put it first. It is a great group led by Ms Maggie Owens along with Ms Linda Dobbyn, Ms Mary Byrne, Ms Breda Moore Flynn and Ms Majella Harris. Of course, who could forget Mr. Aiden McHugh? The...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I want to raise today the current cost of student travel. I ask the Acting Leader to schedule a debate again with an emphasis on rural transport and commuting costs. There can be no doubt that the 20% reduction in transport fares, as recently announced, is welcome, but I have received a number of worrying emails and messages informing me that prices have gone up recently. This means that...

Seanad: Life Saving Equipment Bill 2017: Committee Stage (17 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State. It is important that I say a few words on this Bill. I also welcome Community First Responders Ireland to the House. As the Cathaoirleach will be aware I have continuously raised the importance of AEDs in all our communities since I was first elected to this House. I am glad that today we are also including lifebuoys as part of this Bill. I congratulate...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Solar Panels for Public Buildings, Schools, Homes and Other Premises) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (16 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State. I will not take up too much time as I am anticipating his reply, which we all await. I thank my Green Party colleagues for bringing forward this important Bill. My colleague, Senator Moynihan, spoke at length about our support of the Bill on Second Stage. Senator Pauline O'Reilly spoke about the comments of the former President, Ms Mary Robinson. They...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the long-awaited report by the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces, which was published yesterday. I welcome the emphasis on personnel. It is vital that the Minister for Defence immediately agrees with the recommendation in the report that the representative associations be allowed affiliate with ICTU, an outcome that I, on behalf of the Labour Party, have been calling...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (9 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I congratulate my colleague Senator Chambers on bringing forward this vital legislation, which we are all proud to support. There have been a number of television programmes in recent weeks on the treatment of women in Ireland. It is unacceptable and it just cannot continue. This Bill is a valid and good attempt by Senator Chambers to address some of what is going on. As I have said...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (9 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I too welcome the Minister of State to the House this evening and thank Senator Mullen for bringing this important Bill, which we support, before us tonight. As colleagues have said throughout their contributions tonight, it is very hard to believe that the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act, as amended, does not provide for any penalties for giving false or misleading information to the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this important matter for discussion. St. Vincent's Hospital in Athy can trace its history back to the opening of the Athy workhouse on 9 January 1844, an event that came just in time to relieve some of the harshest effects of the Famine in and around that area of south Kildare. The Sisters of Mercy...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State very much for his reply. It is heart-warming to hear his words of support for the hospital in St. Vincent's, Athy. Since his recent visit, I am sure his words are most heartfelt. I was very happy with the start of his reply, which stated that the HSE would apply for planning permission in quarter 1 of 2022. It then deteriorated a little when he said that the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (8 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I would like to be associated with the comments of my colleague from Kildare in congratulating Leona Maguire on her historic win on Saturday night in the Ladies Professional Golf Association, LPGA, event. I was fortunate enough to watch the final couple of holes she played. What struck me most was her response in an interview immediately after the event. She said her success would...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pigmeat Sector (3 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, to the House.

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House today. I will start by congratulating Senator Flynn on the introduction of her first Bill. As a fellow new Senator, I know of the honour it is to introduce and discuss one’s first Bill. Today, I am sure, is a day on which Senator Flynn can be justifiably proud. In introducing her first Bill, Senator Flynn addresses serious outdated...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: I congratulate the Acting Leader on taking the Chair today. I join with her and colleagues in wishing everybody a happy St. Brigid's Day, Lá Fhéile Bríde. We are all very proud of our association with St. Brigid where I live in County Kildare. We recently learned, following a very successful campaign by so many in this House and, indeed, the Lower House, that we will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Mark Wall: There is no doubt that we need to invest in the different capital and equipment projects that have been mentioned over the past number of days. However, we must never forget that we must first invest in and provide security to those who serve us so loyally, and those who may wish to consider a future in the Defence Forces. We must allow their representative bodies to affiliate with the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Second Stage (27 Jan 2022)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is good to see her back. Like other Members, including Senator Gallagher, it is important to express my gratitude, and that of the communities I represent, to An Garda Síochána. It is important to pay tribute to those who put on the uniform and go out to protect our communities. They do so in the knowledge that they may not return home....