Results 361-380 of 484 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

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

Vincent P Martin: In many criminal trials, one's liberty is at stake. After one's health and life, one's liberty is right up there as a fundamental freedom so all and any admissible avenues ought to be made available and accessible in a criminal trial to ensure justice is done. Except for very good reason, there should be no limitations or strictures placed on the substantive trial. In my experience as a...

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

Vincent P Martin: To add to the comments made by Senators McDowell and Ward, that archaic device also finds its way into sworn depositions and people have to laboriously write out every word. I recall taking a deposition from the governor of a prison when I was a very young barrister. It was just me and the governor and there was nothing controversial about the deposition but the process went into a second...

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 (17 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the decision to hold a debate on Palestine this evening. I concur with the remarks made by Senator Malcolm Byrne about charities. When we debate this matter in the Seanad, maybe we should also consider the multilayered strands of charities operating in the same general area where resources overlap. There are so many good charities in the area of cancer and mental wellness. It is...

Seanad: Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel: Statements (17 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I wish to share time with Senator Garvey.

Seanad: Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel: Statements (17 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: All loss of life must be roundly condemned but we should never lose sight of what we are dealing with here. It is a sensitive powder keg and the initiator, what provoked this current crisis, the lightening rod, as it were, was Israeli provocation, and that should be called out. The Israeli response has also been entirely disproportionate.They are guilty of war crimes and are in flagrant...

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: Good Friday Agreement: Motion (10 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: In many respects it is appropriate that Senator Blaney should open the debate. He comes from a generation of republican families and it is apt that he should open this Fianna Fáil republican family motion that is before the House. At college I invited Neil T Blaney, Senator Blaney's uncle, to a discussion. It was well attended. That was at a time when the voices of republicans south...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: The public's response and anger in recent days when people learned that global investment funds were swooping in to buy blocks of houses in areas where demand clearly outstrips supply is fully understandable. Lost in the justified furore was a good initiative by the Government to place the cost-rental model on a legislative footing for the first time. The Vienna cost-rental bases rent on...

Seanad: European Digital Green Certificate: Statements (7 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. As a respected and committed European, he no doubt appreciates EU solidarity in this regard. It is logistically challenging. The digital green certificate can serve as proof of vaccination, testing and recovery in order to waive restrictions to free movement put in place in a member state on public health grounds such as testing or mandatory...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Engagement with Mr. Barry Andrews, MEP (5 May 2021)

Vincent P Martin: If the Chairman can hear me okay, I confirm that I am on the premises. I apologise for the fact that I was unavoidably absent for some of the meeting. I could not let the occasion go by without wishing Mr. Andrews well. He is a good colleague of the Law Library from yesteryear. Deputy Richmond was very generous in referring to one of his speeches and, in that same good spirit, I should...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2021)

Vincent P Martin: The calls for the conducting of a border poll for Irish reunification have grown considerably in recent times. That has been amplified by the fact the majority in Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU. It is gathering momentum and probably more support unity now than ever before. However, surely the purpose of holding a poll is to have a prospect of success. If one is to put the...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2021)

Vincent P Martin: With the indulgence of the Leas-Chathaoirleach, I would like to mention a point that is not covered in the Bill. Audio recordings of counsel are a possibility now to be served up to juries. For the day that is in it, the voice of Seamus McKenna, SC, was played on the radio this morning as part of "GunPlot". I have always been an advocate for the recording of trials as vital nuggets of...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2021)

Vincent P Martin: I flagged at the outset that I would be taking liberties. I will quit while I am ahead, given the Leas-Chathaoirleach has brought me into order. I thank him for his indulgence. I have another point that I will leave for later in our consideration and examination of the Bill.

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2021)

Vincent P Martin: It is a well-intended amendment. Like the previous speaker, I would be concerned that the outcome of this would be fewer people entering pleas, thereby clogging up the system and victims suffering in a more prolonged way, all because they will not nail their colours. If this Bill is enacted with Senator Ward's amendment, why would many people not take their chances without nailing their...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Apr 2021)

Vincent P Martin: On behalf of the Green Party, Comhaontas Glas, Seanad grouping, I congratulate the victorious Senators Horkan and Maria Byrne. I wish them well. They can be assured of our total co-operation for the betterment of Ireland, as is the tradition of this House. It must be deservingly complimentary to the new Senators when they hear feedback from Members who are not affiliated to their...