Results 681-700 of 830 for speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: Peat Harvesting: Statements (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I accept that but let me quote the Minister of State again. He said that he had no problem with extracting peat extraction from the planning process. That is what he said.

Seanad: Peat Harvesting: Statements (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I am not quoting the Minister of State on that but on the whole issue, which is why we need three Ministers. I accept that he did not say that but I quoted him correctly in terms of the exemption from peat extraction. We need three Ministers to debate these matters because, as my colleagues have said, different versions have come from sections of the Government, which is always difficult to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to address what I feel is an important matter for many people in this country, especially those in my county, Kildare. I am sure that, like me, the Minister of State has assisted many people and families with what has always been a worthwhile grant. The grant has made such a difference to the day-to-day lives of so many older people and families...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State for his reply, the final few sentences of which addressed precisely the problems people have raised with me. It goes without saying that other Senators are dealing with similar matters. Building costs have risen exponentially over the past 24 months and the grant has not kept pace. I have had people cry on the other end of the telephone line as they told me...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State. I would say the invitations are in the post at this stage.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank Senator McGreehan for bringing us all together to wear pink today and to make people aware of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We remember my own mother, who died seven years ago having unfortunately succumbed to cancer, initially breast cancer. It is great to remember but, as other Members have said today, it is important that as many women and, indeed, men as possible come forward...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank and join with Senator Norris in remembering the late, great Mervyn Taylor. We were all very proud of Mervyn Taylor in the Labour Party and what he did for this country. As Senator Norris has said, it is very important to remember him and his family today. On Senator Mullen’s contribution, today is the last day before we were to have the promised publication of the gambling...

Seanad: Interim Report of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Motion (30 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I too welcome the Minister of State to the House. I join with colleagues in thanking our Chair, Senator Chambers, for her inclusiveness, for what she has done in bringing us all together and for arranging for the number of witnesses we saw in respect of this very important report to appear. We are here today to discuss the interim part of that particular report. A number of colleagues...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Second Stage (29 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I, too, want to welcome the Minister of State to the House. The Labour Party welcomes this Bill. It is described as technical in nature. As was said, it proposes an updating of the criminal justice aspects of the regime in respect of the smuggling of persons. It reflects the provisions of three international instruments against people smuggling. Of course, the need for this legislation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Provision of Local Employment Services: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the representatives of both unions and thank them for their comprehensive assessments and presentations and for their support for the employees in our jobs clubs and local employment services. I am acutely aware of the great work they do. I deal with them on a daily and weekly basis. I am very much aware of the cost model involved and of the problems regarding a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Provision of Local Employment Services: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the Chair. I thank Mr. Egan and Mr. Kane for their presentation. I have a couple of questions. Mr. Egan in his presentation said he would postpone the process for a short period into the new year. Will he confirm what a short period is? Is it a number of months? Is it the full 12 months? Will he also commit to the request by both unions which we met earlier that he would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Provision of Local Employment Services: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I wanted to make sure we were valuing the 25 years of experience. Mr. Egan said he will be putting a value on it. I would very much welcome if he could share that value when he comes up with it. I am sure it is well in excess of €311. That is the point I was making and it is the only point I wanted to make. We cannot put a value on the excellent service, the 25 years of...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: The Senator has gone soft and he should sit down quick.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister to the House. We are, of course, told that the Bill before us is largely a technical Bill to make amendments to the Defence Act 1954 and address ongoing issues with regard to the Defence Forces. In addition, following amendments on Report Stage in Dáil Éireann, the Bill includes a provision on the role of the Reserve Defence Force including, as has been...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I join colleagues in sending condolences to my Labour Party colleague, Senator Annie Hoey, on the passing of her father, Ray. As colleagues said, our thoughts and prayers are with the family on this day. I want to raise two issues. The first is an urgent request for a debate with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the proposed review of housing aid and housing...

Seanad: Bullying and Sexual Harassment in Third Level Institutions: Motion (21 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. Like other Senators, I congratulate Senator Ruane on her considerable work on this very important topic over a period of time and on bringing this motion before the House today. I also want to quote my own party colleague, Senator Hoey, and to tell her that we are all thinking of her and her family at this time. As we all know, Senator Hoey spoke on...

Seanad: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Motion (21 Sep 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The reason we are here is, unfortunately, another example of the fallout from Brexit - a fallout following more than 40 years of co-operation that has seen our nearest neighbour remove itself from agreements and co-operation that were by all reports and particularly in this case working very well. It is, of course, vital that we acknowledge the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the Cathaoirleach, the ushers, the staff of Leinster House, Mr. Martin Groves and Ms Bridget Doody for all their help. We are still newbies. This is our first year, as Senator Keogan said, after her love poem to Fianna Fáil. It was great for us to have that assistance throughout our first year. When I saw Jadotville listed on the Order of Business I was very happy. Maybe the...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (15 Jul 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The Labour Party will support the Bill. I am sure like many Members, not a week goes by when I do not deal with families and their applications for the nursing home support scheme. These meetings are often difficult as the families have done so much to keep their loved ones at home but, given the medical need of their father, mother, brother or...

Seanad: Report of Independent Review Group Jadotville: Statements (15 Jul 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister for Defence to the House. I share the bitter disappointment expressed by colleagues about this report. I will address the language used as I proceed but I think it is important that we all get a chance to read the full 500-odd pages. When I raised this matter on the Order of Business this morning, the Leader stated we would have the report in our inboxes by 12 noon....