Results 1-20 of 474 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Is mór an onóir é labhairt leis an Seanad don chéad uair inniu. I dtús báire, gabhaim buíochas le mo bhean chéile, Hilda, m’iníon, Jules, agus mo mhac, Jack Vincent Pepper, as ucht an tacaíocht a thug siad dom. Gabhaim míle buíochas freisin le muintir Chill Dara Thuaidh agus go háirithe le muintir an Chomhaontais Glas,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: In the past week, Jack Charlton was laid to rest and the East Belfast GAA club was officially launched. One may initially feel that those two events do not have an awful lot in common but there is a common denominator: they did, and will, bring people together. Sport brings people together. It has a dividend in a sense of community, health and mindfulness. It also has a business dividend...

Seanad: Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister and wish him well in his new post. Objectively, and to give credit where credit is due, as an Opposition spokesperson he won the confidence of people on the front line, not only his supporters. They believe in Stephen Donnelly. They believe he understands the intricacies and challenges and they are backing the Minister to make a difference. In the past we have had...

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I also wish the Minister well in her post. Her words here expressed the incredibly challenge faced by the industry.She is also on record as saying we will have to think differently about tourism. I am absolutely convinced we will have to reimagine how we do tourism in this country. My colleague from south Kildare, Senator Wall, has extolled some of the virtues of our county of Kildare but...

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: It is the less likely ones, such as agritourism, that I will shine a light on during Deputy Catherine Martin's Ministry. I will also be talking to the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, about this. The amazing limestone in Kildare has a propensity and a wonderful opportunity to lend itself to vine-growing, which, in due course over many years-----

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: -----could become, like in England and Wales, a tourism attraction, given our climate, if we use mildew-resistant varieties of vines. I wish the Minister well. She has a huge task. We hope to see her as frequently as ever before in Kildare and I look forward to working with her as best we can. As other Senators noted, it is very important from an employment point of view. This incredible...

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I understand that she is en route.

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I will begin by congratulating the new Minister for Justice and Equality and wishing her well on the road ahead. She is hitting the road running by coming to the House today as we progress this important legislation, which will improve the efficiency of the administration of justice. I acknowledge the work of the Courts Service in recent years in making the workings of the legal system more...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Yesterday the Minister with responsibility for climate change, communications networks and transport announced funding to the tune of €4.5 million for 26 greenway projects throughout the country. I warmly welcome this announcement. Recently I spoke to a friend who, by his own admission, is anything but green in his outlook or thinking, but the lockdown gave him some time to think....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: In the course of my maiden address to the House I did not mention the Cathaoirleach and congratulate him on his election. One is never too late to wish a person well in a new role. It is probably the last good wish he will get in this respect but I got it in before the House rose for the summer. I remember the Cathaoirleach canvassing at Monaghan County Council when Senator Robbie...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jul 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I wish the Cathaoirleach well. Sport has had a good airing this week and it can be the heartbeat of a community. I know we are doing our best but it is important when sport returns in any shape or form. We should really exhaust all possible channels to ensure we can restart sport while putting health and safety first. My wish this morning, as the House rises for the summer, is discuss the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Sep 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I thank the Minister for finding the time to address us in the House this afternoon. The context of this emergency legislation is very important. The first sentence of the Bill states: "An Act to make exceptional provision, in the public interest and having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of the disease known as Covid-19". Those...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2020)

Vincent P Martin: General practitioners and pharmacists have grave concerns for their patients about the initial delivery and roll-out of the flu vaccine. Delivery of the flu vaccine has already been delayed and, worse still, the number of vaccines that some doctors have been told they will receive is tiny. I have spoken to GPs and pharmacists, one of whom has received 20 vaccines. One large GP practice...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I heard he was a very good showjumper. The British people should speak up on this. I appeal to my fellow parliamentarians in the House of Commons and the House of Lords not to undermine peace or relegate Britain to a state where it cannot be trusted in negotiations. I have concerns about America and Britain and the damage that could be done to western democracy. At least in America there...

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (18 Sep 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Senator Wilson's generosity in his remarks epitomises the spirit in the Seanad. It is also a great tribute to Senator Joe O'Reilly. There is a bit of a scene. Senator Norris left out Monaghan. The constituency is Cavan-Monaghan. Many careers that were launched in Cavan-Monaghan crashed and burned. When Senator O'Reilly had his success postponed in 2007, there was another wannabe on the...

Seanad: Withdrawal Agreement Between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Motion (23 Sep 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, and acknowledge the contribution of the Minister earlier. I welcome and acknowledge the solidarity in the Chamber. That solidarity should be a source of strength, not just for people in Ireland but for those throughout the world who value and uphold the rule of law. I also welcome the approach of the Government to date. It has resisted going...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Vincent P Martin: We appreciate the vital role Covid testing centres play in the ongoing efforts to suppress the virus. Perhaps less is known, understood or appreciated of the vital role played by the Covid assessment hubs. They were opened throughout the country at the start of the pandemic to examine and assess patients, with possible Covid illness, in a safe and timely manner. GPs can refer patients with...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2020)

Vincent P Martin: I would like to join other Senators in condemning the demolition of the residence of The O'Rahilly. I share their disquiet. It is an assault on both our history and our heritage. I wish to make one additional point to those already made in the House today. No doubt the party in question who is being accused of the demolition will be afforded fair procedure and due process, but I hope that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Engagement with the Minister for Justice (6 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: Senator McDowell mentioned an issue regarding lawyers from the Republic. We are a common law English-speaking country and have a special relationship with our nearest neighbours. I hope there will be no prohibition on Irish barristers, coming from a member state, being called to the Bar or the inns in England and Wales and that the British will make it as easy as it always has been. I hope...

Seanad: HSE Winter Plan: Statements (7 Oct 2020)

Vincent P Martin: The Government has been in existence for more than 100 days but this is the first time I have had the opportunity to congratulate the Minister of State and wish her well in her new role. It may be her first time in this House. She is very welcome. At the time this Government was being formed, people were crying out for a Government. Fine Gael might not be the best friend of the Minister...