Results 1-20 of 96 for speaker:Mark Duffy

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I apologise for any confusion earlier. Before we finish for the summer, I thank the Cathaoirleach, all of the team and the Leader for his welcome, help and support to the new Senators. I thank Martin Groves for his professionalism and diligence in the short term I worked with him in the Oireachtas. Indeed, I also thank Bridget Doody, Clerk Assistant of the Seanad. I also support the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I attended a briefing for Mayo Oireachtas Members related to the proposed sewage treatment plant in Newport, County Mayo. This proposal has been going on for far too long. The initial proposed completion date was 2023 but the project is still so far off where it should be. What is being talked about now is a completion date of 2030. Raw sewage is flowing into Clew Bay as we speak....

Seanad: Sport: Statements (16 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I thank the Minister of State for facilitating this discussion and for his work to date in this area. Sport is the great connector of communities and civic life. It brings people and communities together. It can be such a force for good in terms of both physical and mental health. We need standardisation of provision of sporting facilities across the country. One town or village that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Climate Change Targets 2026-2030: Electricity Sector (16 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I thank the witnesses for their contributions. This has been very insightful and helpful to us as a committee. I hope we can make these conversations count and that we can deliver on the potential that exists, especially through the NDP. I am from County Mayo. Mayo has played, is playing and has the potential to play a significant part in renewable energy generation. As the witnesses...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Climate Change Targets 2026-2030: Electricity Sector (16 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: When Mr. Cunniffe says "political opposition", does he mean at a local council level? Practically speaking, what does the opposition look like? Is it at Oireachtas level? Is it local councillors? Is it the community? What exactly is it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Climate Change Targets 2026-2030: Electricity Sector (16 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I have a final point, going back to the Asahi site in Killala, specifically for Mr. Marley in EirGrid. If I could get a commitment of engagement from him, it would be great. I wrote to the office within the last month and have not heard anything back, but I am conscious that some things can fall between the cracks. This project has huge potential to enable economic activity, renewable...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport: Irish Aviation Authority: Engagement (16 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I welcome the witnesses. I have listened carefully to the contributions. Ireland is a very connected island with a lot of opportunity. I am from County Mayo where we have Ireland West Airport in Knock, which is a brilliant hub for the north west. Last year 824,000 passengers passed through Knock airport with 22 routes across Europe. It has been incredible to see the growth and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport: Irish Aviation Authority: Engagement (16 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I compliment Joe Gilmore and his team out in Knock airport. They run a good, tight ship. It is great to see the investment from Government in the airport because it is going from strength to strength. I believe they had growth of 6% in the first quarter of this year. It is continually expanding. We need to support regional airports like Knock, Kerry Airport and Shannon Airport. There...

Seanad: Transport Policy: Statements (10 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: The Minister is very welcome. I thank him for his work in an exciting period in Ireland's ambitions for transport. As he outlined, there are many exciting and ambitious projects being proposed at different stages across the country. BusConnects will be a very positive measure in improving connectivity and access for people across the cities. The improvements to the regional bus networks...

Seanad: Transport Policy: Statements (10 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: Happy birthday, Minister.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I welcome the opportunity we have to make statements on transport this week. I wish to highlight road safety. Sadly, 19 fatalities occurred on Mayo roads last year, which is an astounding figure and a sad and damning statistic. I highlight an issue of safety on the N17 roadway travelling from Charlestown towards Knock Airport. The reason I raise it is that it is the responsibility of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Schemes (8 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: The Minister of State is welcome. The housing crisis affects the whole island and it is important we use every measure at our disposal to unlock one of the great social challenges of our time. The croí cónaithe scheme has been delivered specifically for land or building owners. It is a positive measure. It began for towns with populations of more than 600 people. Something I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Schemes (8 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I also welcome my guest, Mr. Fitzpatrick. It is great to have him in the Public Gallery of the Chamber. I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am well aware of the repair and lease scheme. It is an excellent scheme, but it is not the same as the croí cónaithe scheme with its city-style development. The repair and lease scheme provides funding of up to €80,000...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Arts Centres (8 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I thank the Minister of State. Before I call on Senator O'Loughlin to reply, I welcome Mr. Joe Druhan, Fr. Richard Redmond and Fr. Odhrán Furlong to our Distinguished Visitors Gallery. They are guests of the Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Verona Murphy. They are very welcome.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (8 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: Before I call Senator Kennelly to reply, I welcome to the Public Gallery Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn's guests, who are from the Neighbourhood Management Team.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (8 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I thank the Minister of State for his time this afternoon in addressing the Commencement matter of Senator Kennelly.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I welcome to the distinguished guests in the Visitors Gallery. This morning, I raise an issue that has an effect on community groups across the country, which is the lack of pay parity between Tús and rural social scheme, RSS, workers and their equivalent community employment scheme supervisors.The Tús scheme and the RSS are an incredible lifeline and the lifeblood of rural...

Seanad: Sea Fisheries: Statements (2 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: First, I welcome my friend from Castlebar and colleague in Fine Gael, Councillor Donna Sheridan, who is in the Gallery. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank him for his engagement and work done to date. It is great to see a Ministry for fisheries. As previous speakers have outlined, including an impassioned contribution by Senator Manus Boyle, there is an awful lot that...

Seanad: Sea Fisheries: Statements (2 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: Could we extend the time to discuss the mussel farms and the quotas for hook and line?

Seanad: Sea Fisheries: Statements (2 Jul 2025)

Mark Duffy: I thank the Minister of State.