Results 121-140 of 483 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

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

Vincent P Martin: I flagged this issue on Second Stage. The jury is to consider evidence. I understand that this proposal came about on foot of recommendations from the Law Reform Commission so I looked into those recommendations. The commission's concern seemed to be about very complicated and fraudulent matters and allegations that come before the court. The Government is proposing to extend that to all...

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

Vincent P Martin: Ms McNally made a good point. It is good to see her today. We soldiered together for many years on the northern circuit. We were called to the inner Bar on the same day. She has described one of the big challenges facing us, namely, the extent to which the area that we are trying to diversify is itself diverse. It is not diversified in the first instance. Not everyone can be a judge....

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

Vincent P Martin: Are there many with diversified backgrounds among the members of the Law Library? Ms McNally has addressed that. I am sure there are, with the passing of time.

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

Vincent P Martin: Are the less well-off represented in increasing numbers?

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

Vincent P Martin: Like the Bar Council, I want to congratulate the Law Society for its efforts.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I concur with Senator Higgins. The bombs and guns are silent in Gaza and the children are no longer being slaughtered. What more could we hope for?An awful lot more. At the heart of that awful lot more must be accountability. People must be held to account this time because if they are not, as sure as night follows day, it will happen again and again. This will take the international...

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (24 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: The Minister is welcome to the Chamber as always. May I extend my heartiest congratulations to him, on the heroic work of the HSE, and the Irish Government, on the incredibly efficient way the vaccination programme is being rolled out. I got my jab the other day in the Punchestown centre. The centre had a wonderful atmosphere and there was a stunningly efficient roll out. I am told that...

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: I thank the witnesses for their presentations, the detail thereof and their comprehensive responses. 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...

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

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister back to the Chamber. It is probably not appropriate to say it in the Seanad, but I also thank him for his generosity of time in addressing one of his partners in government’s parliamentary party. That is through co-operation where we put housing first, and I would like to see more of that. I know the Minister is very passionate about this. I often compare it...

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

Vincent P Martin: The Taoiseach said on the radio today how pleased he was to hear that sober analysis from Sinn Féin. I do not mean to misrepresent the able and eminent Deputy and I am sure they have a different way of doing it but playing politics and relegating it to a simple matter of down with all private investors is not fair. It may be inadvertent but it is a dishonest argument to make. Two of...

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I can understand the concerns. The enforcement powers and provisions being extended are so sweeping in nature and so draconian, for want of a better word, that I can understand people's concerns. I still have concerns myself but the Parliament is the place where we reflect public concerns. As recently as yesterday, I said that the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is a Minister who listens.I...

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

Vincent P Martin: I also welcome the Minister of State to the House, and concur with the words of deep sincerity and gratitude of previous speakers to the people who have kept us safe. As Senator Dooley and others have said, some of them tragically have lost their lives. I commend the bravery and dedication of all our search and rescue crews across the country. They provide an invaluable service and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I want to bring to the attention of the Deputy Leader-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I am happy to give way to Senator Bacik.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: There are two issues I wish to bring to the attention of the House this morning that have potentially serious implications for world peace and stability. First, the recent decision by the UK Government in respect of its announcement concerning its integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy, of its nuclear weapons and the nuclear warhead cap. It is most worrying,...

Seanad: Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021: Second Stage (31 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. As the Minister of State stated, this Bill is intended to act as a complement to the maritime area planning Bill, which will establish a single marine planning consent system. This legislation must be consistent and supportive of Ireland's move away from fossil fuels. In February 2021, the Cabinet approved a ban on all new oil and gas...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Act 2021: Motion (31 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I am delighted that Senator Bacik got a boost from receiving her first jab. I wish every Senator well in the upcoming by-election. Senator Bacik goes into the by-election as a candidate from the Upper House. I know that in our other workplaces, we always wish people well, no matter what jersey they wear. I hope she also gets a boost in the by-election, notwithstanding that the Green Party...

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

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber and commend Sinn Féin on introducing this Bill. It is self-explanatory and its proponent makes a very compelling argument. Indeed, supporting it is irresistible. Sinn Féin is in opposition but this is a good example of how Opposition works. The Bill invites us to consider the bigger question of whether people are equal before the...

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

Vincent P Martin: Hear, hear.

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Citizens' Rights in Northern Ireland Post Brexit: Discussion (24 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I refer to English citizens not being allowed to vote in constitutional referendums in the Republic although they can vote in national elections. That is an issue on which the two countries should work more closely. Some younger English citizens were not aware of that restriction and had the ignominious experience of going to the polling situation as usual on the day of a constitutional...