Results 1-20 of 179 for long speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Smartphone and Social Media Use: Motion [Private Members] (24 Apr 2024)

Diarmuid Wilson: Thank you, Senator O'Reilly. I acknowledge the fact that you are a long-standing, distinguished member of the Council of Europe and a former leader of the Irish delegation. I know you are highly regarded on that particular body because I have met colleagues from many countries who refer to you when they hear that I am from Ireland. They ask me if I know Senator Joe O'Reilly and I am very...

Seanad: Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2024)

Diarmuid Wilson: .... I very much welcome the establishment of a tribunal of inquiry. The Government decision to establish it is the result of the tireless and courageous campaign mounted by the Women of Honour group.Along with many others, such as the Defence Forces Justice Alliance and the Air Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors, the Women of Honour are to be congratulated for their determination and...

Seanad: Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (27 Apr 2023)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...the areas around the administration of the courts. This will have a real impact because, as we know, delays in the court system cause great stress to people. In that regard, I am aware that there are long waiting lists for cases to be heard in the District Court in many areas. I welcome the recent announcement by the Minister that he intends to appoint a number of additional judges....

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...has never been Ireland's position that we would attempt to block the desire of other member states to establish common defence arrangements among themselves in circumstances where Ireland would not participate, as long as those arrangements would not prejudice its national interests. With this in mind, Fianna Fáil does not see a case to amend the Constitution at this time. I want to...

Seanad: Passport Office: Motion (5 Oct 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...of all of the parties and Independents shows the significance of this important issue. It is important to point out that the reason the motion was put on the Order Paper, and I initiated it along with Senators Currie and Ó Donnghaile, was to avoid political parochialism. The motion specifically mentions Belfast as the location for an office given the situation we have been in since...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...have more to say in that regard. The pay and conditions are important aspects of the report. There are currently 8,400 members in the Defence Forces. The minimum amount we are required to have is 9,500. We are already a long way short of the numbers we should have. The report recommends the recruitment of an extra 2,000 members. I would like to hear the Minister's plans for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...for later this week or next week. It is an important issue. The late former Deputy Nicky McFadden and I fought for years to get legislation implemented on the issue of head shops. That took a long time to be put in place. I hope we do not make the same mistake in respect of vaping shops. They are very dangerous. The must be regulated as a matter of urgency. Finally, I note the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Appointment of Special Envoys and Update on Afghanistan: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence (31 Aug 2021)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...the questions, the Minister mentioned that the memorandum was on the agenda for the Cabinet meeting. When - on what date and at what time - was the memorandum entered on the e-Cabinet system? How long in advance of the Cabinet meeting did that happen? Was the memorandum circulated to other Departments for observations? I think the Minister may have alluded to that. In the media and...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion (10 May 2021)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...can and will implement."Simply put, one cannot say to one community that its vote will count for less or that the bar for its aspirations is to be set higher. That approach prevailed in the North for far too long, and was ended by the Good Friday Agreement. I am not calling for a referendum or a Border poll today or even tomorrow. We know from Brexit the chaos that can be caused by...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Motion (21 Jan 2020)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...to bear that in mind when they are marking their ballot papers. I ask the Cathaoirleach to bear with me. Senator O'Reilly was very gracious in his comments about me. I have known him since 1985. It is a long time ago, but I was very young. Since the late 1980s I have been working through every general election since he first stood to ensure he would not be elected to the Dáil....

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (23 Oct 2019)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...of Irish enterprise at home and abroad. We could not have hoped for a more energetic or enthusiastic supporter of our national interests. From the world of business, Feargal Quinn threw himself headlong into the equally tough area of politics and, once more, distinguished himself. He introduced 17 Bills, marking himself out as a prolific legislator who pinpointed issues. He deftly...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jun 2019)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...an amendment to the Order of Business relating to the publication of the Public Service Pay Commission report. As the defence spokesperson for Fianna Fáil, I fully agree that this report is long overdue and should be published as a matter of urgency. However, Senator Craughwell is correct that we need the Taoiseach, who is personally responsible for the Defence Forces, to attend,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Mar 2019)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...in the Conservative Party that this is what is facing Britain than what it would mean to people on this island. I hope we will have cool heads. I believe it will be sorted. It may take longer than anticipated but I believe it will be sorted to the satisfaction of most people. While I agree there is no such thing as a good Brexit, I believe we will get the best possible Brexit in the...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...to a very important debate today. Senators regularly debate very important issues here. We have with us the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, who is not a school student, although he is not long out of school. He shows what education can do. I request the father of the House to come out and have his photograph taken with us.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...to make it quite clear that I do not welcome the legislation he has brought before us. I will try to be as brief as I can, given the hour of the night. Like other Senators, I have to travel a long distance to go home before returning here early in the morning. I certainly have no intention of keeping people here any longer than is necessary. This is the first time I have spoken on this...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2018)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...of the Fianna Fáil Party, we will support these amendments. I do not believe that this is sufficiently important legislation for it to be rushed through this House. Senator Lawlor is not too long in this House, but if he, along with some of his other colleagues, had his way then, we would not have this House to debate anything.

Seanad: Mental Health (Renewal Orders) Bill 2018: Second and Subsequent Stages (19 Sep 2018)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...and respects patients' human rights. To achieve this, the Minister needs to ensure that the range and capacity of Ireland’s mental health advocacy services is expanded to meet the needs of people with long-term mental health difficulties. Otherwise, patients' rights are meaningless.There are three issues which were highlighted by Mental Health Reform and which I would like to seek...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)

Diarmuid Wilson: Before doing so, I wish to say to the Minister that I appreciate that this has been a long day. Members are entitled to make contributions under this section and he will have an opportunity to respond to their comments. I would appreciate if he would address his comments through the Chair.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation: Motion (14 Jun 2018)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...looked at the terms of reference of the commission, which I believe to be substantial, I hope that, finally, the victims of Bill Kenneally may get some answers to the questions they have been asking for so long.

Seanad: Report on Children's Mental Health Services: Statements (Resumed) (30 May 2018)

Diarmuid Wilson: ...for some time. Just over a week ago, my party colleague, Deputy James Browne, obtained information to the effect that there has been a 10% surge in the number of children and young people waiting longer than 12 months for an appointment with CAMHS. Twelve days is an excruciatingly long period for any parent to wait for their child to get an appointment with CAMHS, let alone 12 months. ...