Results 1,101-1,120 of 1,428 for speaker:Barry Ward

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: Gabhaim buíochas leis na baill de Pharlaimint na hEorpa a tháinig anseo aréir chun labhairt linn, chun éisteacht linn agus chun ár gcuid ceisteanna a fhreagairt. We had an impressive display from the four Dublin MEPs who came to the House yesterday. One of the issues that arose in the course of the discussion was Taiwan. Members will be aware that, last month, the...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020: Report and Final Stages (3 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: I agree with Senator Craughwell. I understand, as ever, that Senator Higgins is coming from a reasoned place but I think the issue was addressed by the Minister for Defence during the Committee Stage debate. We must, as a House, trust that the Minister of the day will make the right decision. I am also conscious of the fact that the triple lock still applies and there are still procedures...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020: Report and Final Stages (3 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: I do not agree with the amendment. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, used NATO as an example on Committee Stage but as the Senator said he used the example of mine clearing in the context of the co-operation that goes on between the Irish Defence Forces and NATO. My understanding is, and I am open to correction on this, the other structures that are in place to protect our involvement in...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (3 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus roimh an mBille. Tá an-bhród orm a rá ar son Fhine Gael go bhfuilimid i bhfabhar an Bhille seo. Is ceart agus cóir dúinn mar Oireachtas a bheith ag éisteacht i gcónaí leis an Ard-Chúirt, ach go háirithe, agus leis na cúirteanna go léir agus a bheith ag féachaint ar an méid...

Seanad: Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: I am not sure how to follow that, although I am perhaps unsurprised as Senator Keogan has gone back and forth and taken different approaches to this crisis over the past year and a bit. She has contradicted herself on a number of occasions. It is unsurprising that she uses language about experimental vaccines that we know have worked. The vaccine programme has been a universal success in...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: I rise in support of this motion. We have had much discussion this evening about the various aspects of the plan, particularly its regional aspects. One of the issues about which I have been in contact with the National Transport Authority, the Minister for Transport and the head of Dublin Bus is 24-hour bus services for Dublin. Many people from Dún Laoghaire work in the city centre....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Women's Shelters and Domestic Abuse Refuges: Discussion (3 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: I thank Ms Bentley for the work she does. She talked about the invisible man. It is an issue that has been highlighted here. Ms Sherlock made a comment on the training of gardaí and the Garda domestic abuse policy. Does she feel there is sufficient training? If a man or woman goes to a Garda station seeking assistance, what are the chances that he or she will meet a garda who is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Women's Shelters and Domestic Abuse Refuges: Discussion (3 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: When Ms Sherlock says one in three responses to calls is unhelpful, what does she believe "unhelpful" looks like?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Women's Shelters and Domestic Abuse Refuges: Discussion (3 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: I thank the witnesses. Many of us have heard the details of the crisis that exists but it is stark to hear from Ms Sherlock about a 43% increase in the number of people seeking help. It is really striking that however bad the Covid experience has been for many of us it has been worse for some of us. I am particularly struck by what Ms Graham said about having to refuse 369 requests. This...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: In recent weeks we have heard a lot about spiking - the Leader has made public statements on it - whether it is by needles or putting something into the drinks of people who are out in public socialising and doing their thing, having been allowed to be out in public again after such a long time. I have looked at this issue. Some of the early messaging that came out on it from the HSE and...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the European Parliament (2 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: The recent decision of the Polish constitutional tribunal to essentially upend the rule of law in Europe is creating a flashpoint. What are the next steps, particularly for the European Parliament as opposed to governments or the Commission? I mention the rule of law like-minded group which I understand involves a lot of the Nordic and Scandinavian countries but not Ireland. Should Ireland...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the European Parliament (2 Nov 2021)

Barry Ward: I will not take too much time, but it is important to recognise the value of this session. It is a very good idea and is the first time we have seen genuine interaction at this level between our representatives in Europe and Members of the Oireachtas. In this case, all the MEPs are also former Members of the Oireachtas and the fact that two of them previously represented Dún Laoghaire...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I support the calls for a debate on antisocial behaviour, but also on general disorder in public and the lawlessness we have seen. I have raised this issue in the House previously. Much of that antisocial behaviour and, in particular, that lawlessness is directed towards people who are not Irish. That is a particular aspect that we need to address. Yesterday, I had the privilege of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: We had this discussion on Committee Stage, with regard to Senator Higgins's amendments. I appreciate very clearly the difference between an exemption and a defence, and I understand where the Senator is coming from. In the context of amendment No. 2, which adds in the words "whether for profit or otherwise", I can see the value in that and I do not have a difficulty with that. On the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: Anois.

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motion (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I welcome the motion. An entirely common-sense provision is being suggested by the Minister of State. Considering that this measure relates to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, including Article 5, as mentioned by the Minister of State, it is good that these motions are discussed in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Constitutionally, it is appropriate that the relevant...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I wish to respond to some of the issues Senator Higgins raised. There are two things primarily, the first of which is the suggestion the Minister made in his speech and the case for this amendment. I think, if I have understood what the Minister said in his last response, that the opposite is the case. I do not see how this amendment in any way addresses the fact that these issues might...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: Dé Máirt seo chugainn.

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

Barry Ward: I want to mention the platform, Speak Out, that was launched this week by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris. Speak Out is an anonymous online platform that allows students and staff to report incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, bullying, cyberbullying and everything in between. It is to operate across our third...