Results 721-740 of 886 for speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: Amendment No. 33 is out of order.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Community Care (11 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, to the House. I wish to raise an issue which is very important for many people in Monasterevin, County Kildare. This issue has been going on since 2014. I am seeking an update, and wish to go through some detail with the Minister of State. The day care centre in Monasterevin was closed by HSE Estates in 2014 on health and safety grounds, and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Community Care (11 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. This is so important for the town of Monasterevin. For many of the older people who use the centre, this is their life. Two days a week they head down to Monasterevan GAA to enjoy the facilities. It is a social outlet. The committee hopes to extend that to three days a week when the new centre opens. The question arising from what the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: I will raise two matters today, with the first relating to what a colleague from south Kildare has just raised with the Leader, namely, the Monasterevin day care centre. We are both asking that it be made fit for purpose as quickly as possible. The day care centre was closed by the Health Service Executive estates in 2014 on health and safety grounds, and since that time Monasterevin Gaelic...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: Next week will be the first anniversary of our discussion on Jadotville, which was supported by all sides of the House. Of course, we recently passed the 60th anniversary of this great military event. These Irish soldiers are not just regarded as heroes in their homeland, but by a growing number of people worldwide. I recently came across the wording of the surrender document of Commandant...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank the Fine Gael Senators who tabled this Private Members' motion. Obviously, it is timely, given what happened across the water in Glasgow this week. I acknowledge the detailed presentation by the National Transport Authority, NTA, that all Senators received this week. It was exciting in parts. The motion calls for investment in...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: The Senator cannot share time when responding, unfortunately.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Mark Wall: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I support Senator Moynihan for bringing this Bill before us. It is very important to give the support that has been given throughout the House given its importance to our student population and how we treat those who are the future of our country. As my Labour Party colleagues said, we have a crisis in student accommodation but it is one that did not need to happen. I am glad the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: National Broadband Plan: Discussion (20 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I thank the guests. Senator Garvey has mentioned much of what I wanted to speak about, which is businesses, especially rural business. I have a number of problems with businesses within 500 m of fibre broadband but that cannot connect. There is no doubt it is affecting their business and quality of life. I appreciate the answer given to Senator Garvey that one cannot change the broadband...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I want to be associated with the vote of sympathy at the start of business today on behalf of the Labour Party. I want to raise two issues today. The first is to seek a further debate on housing. My colleague, Senator Moynihan, has continued to raise the housing crisis on an almost daily basis. In asking for a debate I want to reference an interview I heard this morning on my local radio...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Cross-Border Healthcare Directive: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I also thank our guests for coming back to us today. It is important that we get to discuss these issues again. I thank them also for the good news on the extension of the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme. I have some questions on that. Senators Gallagher and Malcolm Byrne have asked some questions on it already. On waiting times, Ms Donohoe stated that 90% of those who...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I join my colleagues across the political spectrum in welcoming the announcement that BAM has been awarded the long-awaited contract for the Athy distributor road. My home town has been waiting a long time for this announcement. It is great news and has been widely welcomed by the people of Athy. All we want now is to see the diggers on the ground - the sooner, the better. I also support...

Seanad: Budget 2022: Statements (Resumed) (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House today. There is no doubt we were all looking forward to a post-Covid Ireland. Many people who have spoken to me do not want to return to what they experienced before. They want a new Ireland where their loved ones can get a hospital appointment within a reasonable time, where they do not have to pay the equivalent of a second mortgage for caring...

Seanad: Peat Harvesting: Statements (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: We all had.

Seanad: Peat Harvesting: Statements (13 Oct 2021)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He has said that the committee is reviewing the significant positives and negatives but I will again mention an issue that has been mentioned by everybody else who has spoken here this afternoon. I refer to an issue that has featured in every local newspaper, including local papers in County Westmeath. I was shocked to learn, especially as...

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...