Results 161-180 of 696 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Mark Ward

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: I wish to ask the Tánaiste, in this role as Minister for Defence, about the review carried out by the independent review group into the very serious allegations made by the Women of Honour. Has the Tánaiste seen the report? When will it be published?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: I will put on the record that I am the son of a retired Defence Forces man. My father was in the Army for 25 years. I will point out all the hard work he and his comrades did, some of whom are in today. Retired United Nations veterans will be coming in this afternoon to visit the House. I extend my admiration and support to the Women of Honour group and all the survivors who came forward,...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: Sinn Féin will be supporting this Bill. There should be no restrictions or deterrents for people accessing healthcare. Sinn Féin has long campaigned for the abolition of inpatient charges so it is very welcome to see that this is finally happening. The €80 charge a day has been a barrier for people presenting to hospitals. There are so many individuals and families who...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: I too want to talk about the situation in Palestine and the ongoing immoral and illegal landgrab by Israeli settlers. Since 1967, Israel has established approximately 140 settlements on Palestinian land, accommodating more than 500,000 settlers, and groups of settlers have also built scores of other illegal outposts on Palestinian lands. I had the privilege to visit Palestine last year....

Eviction Ban: Motion [Private Members] (21 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: I have been listening to the Minister and other Government Deputies and Ministers on the radio and television during the week trying to defend the indefensible action of not extending this eviction ban. They are far disconnected from the reality of what it is like to be homeless. Do any of them know what it is like to be homeless and to experience that trauma? Do they know what it is like...

Comóradh Sheachtain na Gaeilge: Ráitis (9 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: I will go first because Deputy Ó Murchú does not trust himself with the time. Tá mé ríméadach an deis seo a fháil chun labhairt le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge. Níl mé líofa agus ní raibh mo chlann líofa sa Ghaeilge nuair a tógadh mé. Nuair a bhí mé sa bhunscoil agus sa mheánscoil, bhí an Ghaeilge ina...

Comóradh Sheachtain na Gaeilge: Ráitis (9 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: I was given the opportunity to send my children to Gaelscoileanna in Clondalkin and it is probably one of the best decisions I ever made. To hear them speaking Irish is absolutely fantastic. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: The decision to end the eviction ban just shows how out of touch the Government is with the reality of the housing crisis. What has been done is inhumane and has put unnecessary pressure on thousands of families across the State. I refer to the case of a young mother in my area and her two young children who, through no fault of their own, presented as homeless to South Dublin County...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: I asked about the next mother.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: We gave the Tánaiste nine months to get his act together.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authorities (9 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: 94. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on South Dublin County Council's housing maintenance team only accepting maintenance requests from tenants through housing online and no longer taking maintenance requests by email or telephone. [11542/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authorities (9 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: South Dublin County Council has moved to an online system for residents to report housing maintenance issues. They are not taking calls or emails. They are not adequately responding to elected representatives. The local authority states there are high levels of digital literacy in the county. I was wondering where they got that figure. How can people, who have not the capacity or the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authorities (9 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: Okay.

International Women's Day: Statements (8 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: Domestic violence is paramount in people's thoughts on International Women's Day every year and, sadly, this year is no different. I always find that a really sad reflection on Irish society. As leaders, Deputies in this House have a responsibility to do everything possible to end violence directed towards women and girls. When a woman comes forward after surviving an incident of domestic...

High Energy Costs: Motion [Private Members] (7 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: The electricity bills dropping through the letter boxes of ordinary workers and families in my area are pushing people into poverty. The Government is out of touch with the cost-of-living challenges. The Taoiseach even questioned the validity of research published by Barnardo's that claimed that one in ten parents had used food banks in the past year. He went on to state that he wondered...

Future of Regional Pre-Hospital Emergency Care: Motion [Private Members] (1 Mar 2023)

Mark Ward: I thank the Regional Group for giving me the opportunity to discuss this important motion on pre-hospital care. The Minister of State will not be surprised that I will focus on children's mental health in the limited time available to me. We all know that early intervention is key. When children get the care they need when and where they need it, they are less likely to need moderate and...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Feb 2023)

Mark Ward: While Sinn Féin welcomes the idea of expanding responsibility for community safety beyond An Garda Síochána, it is not clear what the purpose of the group is separate to the role of the Policing Authority. While establishing these committees could be a welcome move forward, the Government must also stick to previous commitments. A task force was to be set up to enable the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Feb 2023)

Mark Ward: What about the six months?

Eviction Ban Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Feb 2023)

Mark Ward: I thank People Before Profit-Solidarity for bringing this Bill before the House. This is the second time in two days that this issue has been debated in the Chamber. It just goes to show how the Government has lost control of the housing crisis. Levels of homelessness continue to rise, despite the winter ban on evictions. It is an extremely important issue that needs to be raised time and...

Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use: Motion (21 Feb 2023)

Mark Ward: I welcome that progress has been made on the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use. Sinn Féin has been calling for this for the past four years or more. I am from an area of high disadvantage and have seen the devastation drugs have inflicted on my area since I was a child. I have lived in a community that has seen intergenerational addiction and trauma within families. When I say "high...