Results 1-20 of 210 for kildare speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Mark Wall: ...Gerardine and John's family. He was a great Gael. I send sympathy as well to the Fine Gael Party. The other issue I wish to bring up today has been raised by all the representatives in County Kildare, namely, that of the train fares in the Dublin commuter zone. We all attended a briefing a number of weeks ago with the NTA, that informed us that in quarter 3, that is, September of...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2024)

Mark Wall: .... I find that what happens in municipal districts - and this is being mentioned again today - is that many of the decisions are being made by people far away and in the far reaches of north Kildare, in many cases. That is wrong and it is why we need to get back to town councils. The Cathaoirleach has said this and has proposed a change as well, which we can obviously consider. The...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (3 Jul 2024)

Mark Wall: ...day when somebody makes commentary that is perceived by Government to be off the mark, what will be the consequences? The representative associations are asking that question. I am from County Kildare. Many people in the Defence Forces are deeply involved in their communities. They are part of their community and community organisations day in, day out. I want to give an example of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Policy (2 Jul 2024)

Mark Wall: ...trace its history back to the opening of the Athy workhouse on 9 January 1844, an event that came just in time to relieve some of the harshest effects of the Famine in and around the area of south Kildare. The Sisters of Mercy arrived there as nursing sisters in 1873. In 1898, the building became a county home. As I have stated previously, St. Vincent's Hospital has a proud history in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Policy (2 Jul 2024)

Mark Wall: ...for his comprehensive reply. The middle of the reply tells us that it is anticipated that the project could commence on site in quarter one of 2025, which is the news that the people of south Kildare really wanted to hear. I note that this is dependent on the final decision and the review of the tender process, which is standard enough practice for all major construction projects that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jun 2024)

Mark Wall: ...yesterday. I congratulate all those involved. The issue I wish to raise today is the large-scale sports infrastructure fund, LSSIF. I received correspondence yesterday from my local authority, Kildare County Council, stating it was not putting forward the Maynooth swimming pool project but instead putting forward the Sallins amenity lands project.I wish the people of Sallins all of...

Seanad: Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (25 Jun 2024)

Mark Wall: ...come back another day, removing them from further service because their cases were not called. I know this may not be the case around the entire country but in certain parts of the country, including my own county of Kildare, it is the case. I ask the Government to comment on this particular important matter, on the plans it may have to address the issue and the progress it has made...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2024)

Mark Wall: ...something we need to come back to. I wish to mention something I raised here a couple weeks ago related to an estate called Abbeylands in Castledermot. I spoke about Uisce Éireann-Irish Water, Kildare County Council and a sewage spill that happened.As the estate was not taken in charge, there was consternation as to who was responsible. Unfortunately, over the weekend this...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (18 Jun 2024)

Mark Wall: ...the work of Senator Malcolm Byrne and his colleagues on this matter. It is a part of the Bill that we in the Labour Party totally support. In the time left, I will take the opportunity to talk about the Curragh Camp in my own county of Kildare. I have previously brought up the issue of the derelict houses with the Tánaiste. In replies, he has informed me that a plan to bring these...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Meals-on-Wheels Services (23 May 2024)

Mark Wall: ...Minister of State to the House. We are all familiar with the magnificent meals-on-wheels services throughout the country and I am particularly acquainted with the service in my own area of south Kildare. The service is operated by a list of great operators including Rathangan Daycare Centre, St. Conleth's Daycare Centre, Newbridge Daycare Centre, Monasterevin Daycare Centre, Kilcullen...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements (22 May 2024)

Mark Wall: ...and when Senator Malcolm Byrne introduced his Bill, we hoped that this provision would be up and running by now. I have read a recent reply the Minister of State gave to a colleague of mine in Kildare County Council, Councillor Aoife Breslin, in which he said that CCTV cameras can now be used by local authorities. I have just detailed a seven-stage process that local authorities must...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 May 2024)

Mark Wall: ...for housing were to come to the House to discuss this very important report. I also wish to raise meals on wheels services. We are all aware of great organisations which run meals on wheels, including in Kildare South. Unfortunately, many of them are stretched beyond their limits. I have encountered families who are considering putting their loved ones in nursing homes, etc. because...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2024)

Mark Wall: ...get bus transport to that school in September. This is simply unacceptable. They are being told they should attend the new school on the Curragh but as we know that new school is being developed in Kildare town, which will be further away than the Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen. We need Bus Éireann, through the Minister, to agree a pathway for these people to allow for more...

Seanad: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Mark Wall: ...) Bill 2023 is about. Families contact me day in and day out, as I am sure they contact the Minister of State's office. I have been in contact with her office time and again about families in Kildare who come to me crying and say their loved ones are not getting services because they are being asked for an assessment of need. Will the Minister give an update on those six regional hubs?...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Apr 2024)

Mark Wall: ...to bring up an old chestnut once again and it is probably the fifth time I have mentioned the housing adaptation and housing aid grants in the House. The reason I raise this today is because we have received letters from Kildare County Council that it has now spent all the money it has for these grants and it is refusing to deal with new grants. It will process them but it cannot...

Seanad: School Enrolments: Motion (17 Apr 2024)

Mark Wall: ...Minister and thank Fianna Fáil colleagues and Senators for tabling this very important motion on school places. It is very timely. I have contacted the Minister a number of times about issues in Kildare South. My colleague mentioned that already this evening. This is not a new problem there. The Minister spoke about the new model but I contend it has not worked for us in Kildare...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...up for me was the centralisation of the whole function of municipal districts and what happens when it comes to planning and financial advice. When we sit around with councillors - there are 40 in County Kildare - the conversation is about leaving it to the local person, yet that person has a vote on that function. That is wrong. The biggest issue is that local issues need to be decided...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...terrific work. I will go through a couple of the testimonies, starting with Carlow County Council. I am very familiar with Carlow as it is a next door neighbour of mine as I live in Athy, County Kildare. Mention was made about the lack of female representation and I think that is huge. Senator Black suggested that we tease out the issue at this committee. Maybe everyone can give the...

Seanad: Community Safety and Investment: Motion [Private Members] (28 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...speak about not having gardaí, I know they are losing out. That is the call the Labour Party motion puts forward, namely that we need community gardaí as Peter Horgan in Cork has recognised. I want to mention the Kildare model because I have been told that there is a full model there at the moment which seems to be working well. I deal with not just Sean, but also his...