Results 101-120 of 474 for speaker:Vincent P Martin

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (25 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: We also commend and are grateful to the hard-working staff in the Coombe but there is an avoidable, unnecessary situation. With respect, there is no comfort in the Minister of State's reply so the campaign will go on. I urge the Minister of State to use his ministerial influence to give us this assurance. He gets it. He is a dad of young children. He knows this is unnecessary. He knows...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: It is most appropriate the Seanad has set aside time later to discuss the crucially important report of the independent review group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces. I thank the Women of Honour for speaking out about their experience in the Defence Forces. Their courage and bravery in sharing their stories has brought to light the urgent need for change within our...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (20 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: The Minister of State is, as always, very welcome to the Chamber. He stated that the Bill is a further strengthening of the existing laws. He also stated that transparency is key and, with frank candour, accepted that lobbying is a part of the greater workings of the democratic system. Lobbying can sometimes be misunderstood and misrepresented as something untoward but, of course, once it...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (20 Apr 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I propose that notwithstanding the order of the House agreed today, Second Stage of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2023 be taken at 12.45 p.m. and that the sitting now be suspended until the said 12.45 p.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (28 Mar 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Seanad. The announcement by the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, of free school transport for all was initially greeted by many with great fanfare. The reality on the ground for some communities is entirely different.It has turned the lives of people living in the communities of Rathcoffey and Straffan upside down. It has...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (28 Mar 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I thank the Minister of State for outlining the facts. A number of parents are tuned in live to this at home. They will be putting all their hopes in the review but they have not heard anything new. They feel they are running around in circles. They are losing hope. They simply want an adequate bus service of sufficient capacity to bring all their children to the school. I know that...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement and Windsor Framework: Motion (8 Mar 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I welcome the Minister of State.I commend Sinn Féin on tabling this motion and for the tone, tenor and language of its Members' opening contributions. As no doubt proud republicans, it demonstrated a generosity that was so needed in the past. For the future, including the current big challenge but even looking beyond that, we can take great strength from the past. Then UK Prime...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Mar 2023)

Vincent P Martin: On 28 February, Ireland lost a very valued friend when former Congressman Brian Donnelly passed in Massachusetts. He was a renowned Democrat with strong west of Ireland connections. He came on board to support the John Hume school of thinking and the consent principle, which was very important at a moment in time when Irish America needed leaders. Probably most significantly, along with...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I thank all of the Senators who co-sponsored this legislative initiative, along with my own Green Party grouping and Senator Garvey, the Green Party leader, for ensuring this Bill received the priority listing I believe it deserves and merits in our rare Private Members' business slot. I know...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Yes.

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Closing comments would usually include some rebuttal remarks but the House is more or less agreed. There are no divisions, so with the leave of the House, may I share my time with Senator O’Reilly?

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I appreciate that. I thank the Minister for his kind remarks, as I do those of other Senators from across the House. This is much appreciated. This collaborative approach is something I am into in a big way and it is the best way forward. This Bill, by curtailing and restricting the right to cross-examine, makes victims more central in our consideration. In a victim’s consideration...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 19 be taken before No. 1. I seek leave to introduce my domestic violence (amendment) Bill 2023. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 provides that in a criminal trial, an accused person shall not cross-examine in person any witness who is under 18 years of age in respect of certain serious sexual offences.Moreover, the court...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: First Stage (8 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and, for that purpose, to provide protection in proceedings for the offence of coercive control against cross-examination in person by an accused person of a child witness or an adult witness who is the person in respect of whom the offence is alleged to have been committed...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: First Stage (8 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2022: Second Stage (8 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Improving individual accountability in decision-making at all levels, especially at senior level, is to be welcomed. However, I do not see transparency and accountability for the so-called vulture funds. The services of those loans are regulated. The history of the great recession is well-known to us all. Banks over-lent to the residential...

Seanad: Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2022: Second Stage (8 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: It is important that the regulator consider this. If the regulator is unable to put manners on the funds then the Government should enhance any powers or the courts will have to put manners on the funds. The ordinary people of Ireland bailed out the banks and continue to pay for their over extension of credit, which damaged our economy and national life for a decade and a half. Through the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Fiftieth Anniversary of Ireland’s Accession to the European Community: Discussion (8 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: I thank the Vice Chairperson and our guest expert speakers. It has been a long but most invigorating session and much ground has been covered. I will conclude by asking two Brexit-related questions because our guests' viewpoints are truly valued. With the true expertise they have comes, it goes without saying, inherent objectivity, impartiality and independence. I am concerned about the...

Seanad: Family Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (2 Feb 2023)

Vincent P Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Seanad inniu. I also thank him for his opening outline of the statutory intention and content of the Bill. The opening contribution of the Seanad by Senator Seery Kearney was comprehensive and I commend the Senator on her well-known, respected, varied and ongoing work in the area of family law and of supporting parents. I welcome this...