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Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 May 2024)

Mark Ward: The Bill is timely and relevant to HIQA and the HSE. As the Minister of State will be aware, I previously raised the issue of elderly residents being moved from their homes in the Willow and Sycamore units in Cherry Orchard Hospital. To my knowledge, 33 residents have been moved so far and 16 remain in the hospital. Sadly, 19 of these families have since been bereaved. I raise this issue...

Delivering Universal Healthcare: Statements (15 May 2024)

Mark Ward: The Government is far behind delivering on Sláintecare. Sláintecare's vision is to deliver one universal healthcare service for all, providing the right care in the right place at the right time. You would have to be living under a rock to believe this is actually what is happening on the ground. Tens of thousands of children are waiting for assessments of need, appointments for...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Mark Ward: Many aspects of this Bill are welcome. However, following on from report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, it seems that the Government is determined to squander this opportunity. Poor pay and conditions in the Defence Forces are not a new phenomenon. I speak as the son of a former Defence Forces veteran. My father spent 25 years serving this country at home and abroad. I saw...

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (24 Apr 2024)

Mark Ward: I will speak to amendment No. 17. It is a common-sense amendment. People with lived experience add value. It is not only me saying that as it is evidence-based and has been proven. I worked in addiction services for countless years before I came in here and I have seen people with drug problems, alcohol problems and gambling problems. I have also seen these people recover. I have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Arson Attacks: Discussion (5 Mar 2024)

Mark Ward: When it comes to social media, I have to get my kids to do some of the work. In respect of a solution, there are two lines I would like to tease out a little. In her opening statement, Ms McDonald said, "We need to prevent the amplification of hateful, dangerous and violent content." She also said, "Turning off the recommender system by default would reduce the amplification of content,...

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (27 Feb 2024)

Mark Ward: ...now. What the Minister of State is doing is contradicting herself. That does not surprise me. The entire Opposition is in favour of progressing the Bill rather than it being kicked down the road to be dealt with in nine months' time. We need to stop this nonsense. I acknowledge the families who are here again tonight and who have stayed for the two hours of this debate. They are...

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Feb 2024)

Mark Ward: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I want to start by recognising the hard work by dedicated staff in the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, in trying to meet the needs of children with mental health difficulties. Any criticism I have is aimed directly at the Government and the systemic failures within the HSE. I listened to the response of the Government to...

Road Traffic Bill 2024: Second Stage (13 Feb 2024)

Mark Ward: This legislation is just another attempt by Government to paper over the cracks of years of underinvestment in road safety. Those years of underinvestment are coming home to roost. The legislation is only a small solution to a much bigger issue. We need increased investment in enforcement, education and the quality of our roads. I acknowledge the hard work done by An Garda...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Discussion (11 Oct 2023)

Mark Ward: I thank the HSE for attending today. I wish Dr. Burke and Mr. Kelly the best in their new roles. I spent the recess meeting some youth mental health services, including CAMHS. I met Lucena CAMHS. The staff who are working there are doing their best. They are being let down by systemic and historical failures and sometimes by a lack of governance, which are outside their control. I...

Youth Justice Strategy: Statements (21 Jun 2023)

Mark Ward: Youth justice and the right for our young people to be young people are priorities for how this State should operate. Every child and young person deserves the right to reach their full potential. I have said this often in the Chamber and it is true concerning mental health and also in youth justice. Young people are our future and we must invest in them. A troubling trend prevalent in...

Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (13 Jun 2023)

Mark Ward: We welcome this legislation to bring the regulation of e-cigarette and vaping in line with the regulation of tobacco products and to update some elements of tobacco products regulations to ensure consistency and standards. As has been said, we will make a number of amendments. I have a couple of points and questions. I would appreciate it if the Minister could address some of these in her...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Challenges Facing Women Accessing Education, Leadership and Political Roles: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Mark Ward: I apologise for going in and out of the meeting. I was speaking in the Dáil and this is my third committee meeting today. I thank the Chair for allowing me to attend this meeting. I was a member of this committee until very recently but have been moved off it. It is great to have the witnesses in and the conversation was very enlightening. It is not stuff that I do not already know...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Challenges Facing Women Accessing Education, Leadership and Political Roles: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Mark Ward: I briefly listened to the discussion earlier on the barriers to women going into politics. The Chair mentioned it as well there. I thought it was tokenism at first when an initiative was brought in in relation to women in sport: “If she can’t see it, she can’t be it.” I now think that move has had an impact. It is simple things like Sky Sports news, for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Youth Services (25 May 2023)

Mark Ward: I agree with the Minister of State. We are on the same page on this one. In order for this to work, we have to resource our communities and put in place the proper resources in our communities to allow them to build resilience to crime, to build up youth diversion projects, as the Minister of State mentioned, and to build up addiction services. Some of the areas I represent are crying out...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: HSE National Service Plan 2023: Discussion (24 May 2023)

Mark Ward: I have a last point to make regarding CAMHS. I am paraphrasing Mr. Gloster regarding the Minister saying that we need to move away from CAMHS. It is all well and good and easy to say but at the moment 4,490 children or young people are waiting for a first-time appointment with CAMHS. Some 752 of these children are waiting for more than a year for appointment. It was mentioned that 95%...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Access to Community Neurological Rehabilitation Teams: Discussion (17 May 2023)

Mark Ward: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing me in. I am not a member of this committee but I have a personal interest in the topic we are talking about and I have spoken about it a couple of times, including every time the NAI has been in. It is good to see Ms Rogers and the rest of the witnesses. As the witnesses know, 16 years ago I was diagnosed with MS as a 19-year-old and I am one...

Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 May 2023)

Mark Ward: I commend my colleague, Deputy Brady, for his hard work on this Bill and his dedication to the Palestinian cause over the years. The intention of the Bill is to end Ireland's involvement in Israel's illegal enterprise. If the Bill is passed, Ireland could become a catalyst for other European countries to follow. The National Treasury Management Agency was established in late 1990 to...

Europe Day: Statements (9 May 2023)

Mark Ward: Historically, the EU has been a catalyst for much good in Ireland in terms of equality, workers’ rights, environmental standards and the rights of women. While there is much good in the EU, there is criticism that the EU has strayed from the original vision of a community of nations working in partnership and solidarity for the greater well-being of all citizens. With the EU moving...

Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Second Stage (25 Apr 2023)

Mark Ward: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. I will talk about some of the cultural vandalism that took place in Dublin. Dublin is a unique city. It is my city. We must protect its cultural and historical identity. There has been a move by developers and planners to modernise Dublin to the extent that when one walks down the streets, one could be in any European city. We must be sure...