Results 181-200 of 474 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU-level Policy Response to Current Energy Security Issues: Discussion (19 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Deputy Harkin summed it up in a very eloquent way but it is such an important point that I would like to be associated with what she said in respect of the quality of the contributions today. I do not recall ever attending a better session. It was so informative. The witnesses are so up to speed on their briefs. It has been inspiring listening to them, so I thank them all very much.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Last weekend, Naas and Kill saw the inaugural Féile Liam O'Flynn, a festival on a national stage that will become an annual festival to celebrate the life, times and contribution of famous and renowned Kildare uilleann piper Liam O'Flynn. It also celebrated the contribution of so many Kildare people to music. There were workshops, scholarships and sessions, and thousands flocked to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Expansion: Discussion (12 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I thank the Acting Chair and our guests. Ireland's time in Europe has been part of a time of coming together and resisting the forces, of which there are many, that would like to break us up. Russia's war in Ukraine, that horrendous war which Putin started, has amplified the need for Europe to be a more united family. I understand the need for the Copenhagen criteria, and we do need...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Expansion: Discussion (12 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I agree with Deputy Haughey. Those are the latest figures we have, they are from the 2016 census, and I have a feeling they are going in one happy direction in which citizens from the ambassadors' country enrich our country and I would love to see more of them reside in Ireland. This is a welcoming home and I am a big believer not only in tolerance - that is a given - but in celebrating and...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Young Voices on the Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Like the previous Senators, I thank all of the participants from the bottom of my heart for their wonderful contributions. Ms Anderson is brave, courageous, and so articulate. Probably the most difficult question for Ms Anderson is "How do we get more Blairs on the front line of Irish life and society?" I would like that. How can we facilitate more Blairs? I loved Mr. Taylor's...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Young Voices on the Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: If not in the Green Party then I must be selfless here because there is a bigger picture than the Green Party and Ireland comes first. I would like our guests, as formidable people-----

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Young Voices on the Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: They may well beat the Green Party out the door but it would be good for Ireland.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Young Voices on the Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I thank each and every one of the participants. They are inspiring.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Young Voices on the Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Well said.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Young Voices on the Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Senator Black very appropriately used the phrase "blown away". You cannot beat that but I would add to it that I am bowled over. The witnesses' inner strength is just phenomenal. I loved Evan's reference to a change of curriculum. Maybe that should involve climate studies and studies on reconciliation. Niamh spoke about the core value of inclusive groups, which is vital for young people....

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Young Voices on the Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Two ingredients have jumped up and hit me in the face during this session in a very nice way - passion and hope. Passion is something that we do need in the future and I heard lots of passion from Eoghan and Doireann, who mentioned great research. I am so happy that Kim said that she has hope for Ireland and I have greater hope for Ireland after listening to her.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Young Voices on the Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Kim is facilitating hope. That is so important and finally there is Eimear. We have young people here but I want to mention one person who is not so young but has broken the mould and is a trailblazer, and that is Linda Ervine from east Belfast. Recently I visited Wales where all of the signs are bilingual. I believe that one only reinforces division by not allowing everyone to have a...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: It is really refreshing and helpful to have independent experts here today in an advisory role. They are not here to fight anyone's corner but to give an expert viewpoint in the spirit of Professor Whitaker's legacy. I would like to ask Dr. Lawless whether it is fair to say that Brexit has brought us closer together because our economic ties are getting closer. Is the trend likely to...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: Professor Suiter stated that the clear preference would be for a citizens' assembly in the Six Counties and the Twenty-six Counties. That would be the ideal situation. Another option would be a citizens' assembly in the Twenty-six Counties alone but I am not at all enthusiastic about that in the context of a decision being made for the island. Is there a third option? If there is, has she...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I thank the speakers. It has been really enlightening stuff. I found the speeches, the papers and the presentations very interesting with regard to the areas of co-operation North and South and the comparisons made between human rights North and South. In the speakers' respective opinions,, has there been sufficient attention to environmental rights North and South and the ongoing cost of...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I commend Mr. Carlile, Senator Black and all concerned on organising the event that took place last weekend. I am intrigued by the papers that have been presented to the committee. Due to time pressure, I will comment only on the submission from Dr. Liston and Professor Maguire. As we all know, under Article 4 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, the official name of the State is Éire or,...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I am probably pushing an open door but a new Ireland would be a wonderful opportunity for a new environmental, legally enforceable charter protecting rivers and animals, as in other countries. Maybe Dr. Peter Doran who has published on this question might briefly comment on that exciting possibility and how it is so lacking at the moment.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by the Rt. Hon. Lord John McFall, Lord Speaker of the House of Lords (5 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: On behalf of the Green Party, I extend a very warm welcome to Seanad Éireann to Lord McFall of Alcluith. He is a reforming voice in his own House and, in many respects, his quest for reform of the House of Lords mirrors an appetite for real reform of Seanad Éireann. For instance, he is on record as saying that he would like to see the House of Lords as a vibrant outward-facing...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (5 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber. I surmise that the heart of this legislative initiative is more transparency and open competition. Each generation should not fear review and reform. Ways can always be found to make things better than they are because nothing is perfect. However, as other speakers have said, the appointments process in this State to date has served us very...

Seanad: Passport Office: Motion (5 Oct 2022)

Vincent P Martin: I commend the motion. The proposer of the motion cited Article 2 of Bunreacht na hÉireann and other contributors have referred to the symbolic nature of the motion, as well as the substantive point. Article 4 of the Constitution states "The name of the State is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland." Article 5 of the Constitution proclaims "Ireland is a sovereign,...