Results 61-80 of 103 for long speaker:Vincent P Martin

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

Vincent P Martin: I am not questioning that. I am saying to a grown up Seanad that if there is any long-looming shadow of the words of the former Minister, Paddy Donegan, in the 1970s it is time to put them to bed and have a mature debate. It is not comparing like with like. I say this as an admirer of the President. I would detract from my fundamental comments if I were to comment on the controversy. I...

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

Vincent P Martin: ...agree, is as follows: The laws that will apply to the economy, the environment, agriculture, workers rights, and regulations covering everything from building standards to use of weedkillers, no longer will be made at our parliament in Westminster or the local Assembly in Belfast. They will instead be determined by a foreign authority in Brussels. I happen to disagree with him, but he...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...s future. My hope is to spread the word about what is really going on, it is not racially motivated but a political attempt to overthrow the current government, to avoid the prosecution of corrupt officials who [have], at long last, [been] brought to book. Sadly the communities that will be most affected are the...communities who have fought so tirelessly for democracy. Please...

Seanad: Mandatory Hotel Quarantine Extension: Motion (16 Jul 2021)

Vincent P Martin: This is a sweeping measure. It probably quite rightly belongs in the realm of draconian measures. In my humble opinion and following advice, however, it is absolutely necessary. I and the Green Party grouping in Seanad Éireann will, therefore, support this in the interests of safety for all. As the Minister said previously, no Minister enjoys or relishes introducing such measures but...

Seanad: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...level. No one knows better than local councillors, who have valued experience. Notwithstanding that, there is a safeguard for whatever is done in Cork and Dublin. It was the manifestation of a long-held view of the Green Party. It will hopefully be in the form of a cost-rental housing model. That is the second safeguard. It is open to councillors to rezone that land before it is...

Seanad: Private Security Services (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Jul 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...notice to the tenant who is purportedly not in compliance, that tenant or tenants must explain themselves or purge the contempt. It is called the rule of law. No one wants it but one needs it in a society.It is as a last resort. If it takes a long time to get there, so be it as it protects the greater good. I hope this is a small step in the right direction. I hope that in the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Policy (28 Jun 2021)

Vincent P Martin: .... We do not want swarming or hybridisation. In a nutshell, every beekeeper organisation, North and South, east and west, wants this to happen. The organisations want it now as 15 years is too long. They will give this their best shot but this is their last stand. They do not want to go further with this but they will feel compelled to take the case further. They will no longer stand...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Solar Panels for Public Buildings, Schools, Homes and Other Premises) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Jun 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...stage, it is vitally important that we bring people with us, have community gain and buy-in and State involvement. It must not be about making a quick buck. It must be done right. There must be long-term buy-in and a sense of security and community ownership. If we do it right, communities will queuing up to embrace the technology. Finally, I note that Senator Boyhan spotted - and he...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...It is not just for the carbon sinks; they do so much more for the quality of water and for the moisture in the soil. Today is a proud day for the Irish Parliament and our parliamentary system. In the long term this should be front and centre of the UN Security Council. This is the greatest war of all and the greatest challenge facing humanity. Every individual and every country, big and...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Trade and Co-operation Agreement, Northern Ireland Protocol, and EU-UK Relationships post Brexit: Commissioner Mairead McGuinness (15 Jun 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...and passing them on, as do many other vehicles in the Oireachtas. Northern Ireland does not rely on Whitehall to fight for it in respect of this one aspect of the best of both worlds. In the longer term, when east-west relations do not specifically cover the constituency of concern, although we are doing very well at present utilising existing infrastructural consultative mechanisms,...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Rail Connectivity Post Brexit: Aughey Screens (14 Jun 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...rail. There is a rail track that has been built on in Kingscourt. The proposal is incredibly exciting but I worry about it because, unfortunately, as a seasoned campaigner for rail for many a long year I have had more setbacks than progress, to be quite honest about it. The plan we are discussing is more ambitious than many I have seen before. I know Mr. Aughey will stick at it but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jun 2021)

Vincent P Martin: .... I agree. That is not a reason which makes it a necessity. He said that CETA is not the first agreement with ISDS. I agree, but I do not see the compelling necessity. He also said there is a long history of investment courts in European countries. I agree but in this instance I want to know if that is the best he can do. I am not in favour of blindly following the crowd or...

Seanad: Civil Legal Aid (Exclusion of Value of Free or Partly Free Board) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (31 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...the very well off or, in certain cases, the extremely less well off. The costs are exorbitant and the majority of people in the middle could not afford to put one foot in the Four Courts without thinking long and hard about it first. There is not equal access to the courts in Ireland and we should make that perfectly clear. This initiative by Sinn Féin is a small step in the right...

Seanad: Search and Rescue System: Motion (28 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...of all our search and rescue crews across the country. They provide an invaluable service and regularly place themselves in harm's way, risking life and limb.I commend the Irish Air Corps on its long history of service to the State, including its contribution to search and rescue operations and its current air ambulance service. I am supporting the Government's motion today for two...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...is capped at 3.5%. I think we are hoping to roll out 440 units this year. I am convinced this is the way forward. The Minister might let us know whether he might be open-minded regarding more in the long term and whether we can expedite that amazing model. We are a long way from it but in Vienna, these houses are all the same and people who can afford more pay more under the same...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...comes from a wonderful line of experienced barristers in the Farney county, including Mr. Justice Herbert McWilliam, Paul Callan, Paddy McEntee and, in more recent times, Pat Hanratty, Hugh Mohan and a long list of other up-and-coming barristers. To store their words for years to come would be a huge oracle and treasure for students of history and law. That is for another day. I am...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2020: Discussion (18 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...- for example, senior counsels - coming down to enrich the Circuit Court, because they have not put a foot in the door for a number of years but did their time a while ago. Indeed, it has been a long time since we had a senior counsel appointed to the District Court. I believe the last appointment might have been that of Judge Desmond Zaidan, which is perhaps over 20 years ago. Those...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Impact of Brexit on Irish and UK Businesses: British Irish Chamber of Commerce (17 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...As we near the end of this meeting, I raise two more general and newish points. It has been said Northern Ireland has the best of both worlds. I have been saying that, like so many others, for so long. It is a golden opportunity and the envy of the world. However, that message is not getting across. Mention was made of the need to depoliticise this aspect or to denude the political...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion (10 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...described as such by academics and lawyers - the Good Friday Agreement has the potential to be a living document. Before it becomes a living document it ought to be an implemented document. Unfortunately, we are a long way from that happening at the moment. However, we should not lay too much emphasis on its implementation, although it is critically important in the long-term to...

Seanad: European Digital Green Certificate: Statements (7 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: ...of the global economy where the rich get richer and the poor, vulnerable, sick and disadvantaged do not have a voice. The rich do not care about them or they would have looked after them for a long time before now. I hope that as a Seanad, we can put a separate hour aside to put all our collective wisdom and brains together. There is much ingenuity and innovation in this Chamber. Can...