Results 1-20 of 87 for long speaker:Mark Wall

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Apr 2024)

Mark Wall: ...parties. It is something we will look at during our Seanad term and in the report we will put out. I also thank my colleague, Councillor Tuffy, who has worked tirelessly for our party over a long period as a TD and Senator, as was said. She brings great experience to our party in that regard. She mentioned Councillor Gilliland. I acknowledge all those councillors who are no longer...

Seanad: School Enrolments: Motion (17 Apr 2024)

Mark Wall: ...whether the Minister can confirm it tonight but she might get back to me to confirm the full-time position of that school. It has raised concerns for many people in south Kildare who are travelling long distances and crossing borders to obtain a place for their loved ones. In the short time I have left, I wish to mention SENOs. I have raised this issue with the Minister on the all-party...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Implications of Means Testing: Department of Social Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Mark Wall: ...assessed on gross rather than net income, which they obviously cannot spend. I get a lot of queries at clinics regarding requests for bank accounts where a lot of these bank accounts are closed for a long number of years. Some of them are 30 or 40 years old and those applying have to go through banks, some of which, such as Ulster Bank, have closed down. What access has the Department...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Energy Poverty: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: I welcome our guests. Mr. Mullins started off by talking about 550,000 households in energy poverty. The figure our guests gave is that 75,000 now have EnergyCloud to help them with that. How long would it take to reach in the region of 550,000, particularly in light of the organisation's current outlays, the constraints in relation to personnel, etc.? If it is 75,000 since 2021, how...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (Resumed) (20 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...urgent. Senator Currie spoke of helplessness and that is reflected by so many people I meet day-in and day-out in Kildare. It is reflected by the figures cited this evening by the Tánaiste: 136 long days of war, 100,000 dead or injured, 1.9 million displaced and 90% facing acute hunger. It is terrible to be using statistics but I will cite another very important one. Some 625,000...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (14 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...all the more important. As I have done on previous occasions, I pay tribute to Teach Termainn in my own area and pay tribute for the vital work it does on domestic violence in my county of Kildare. Alongside emotional and information supports it offers refuge to women who are escaping horrific and traumatising situations in their own homes. The work it does is really commendable....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Energy Poverty: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...inspections with the SEAI. I asked this question the last day but has the Department any plans to improve that? How can we improve it? Even though it has come down from 26 months it is still an awfully long time for people to wait to improve the quality of their home.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (13 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...has started preschool. They have applied to 12 schools - some, indeed, a fair distance from where their own family home is - but, as they themselves say, they would bring their child anywhere as long as they get the education and supports that they need. Their current school has advised that even if an ASD class were available, they still would not be able to cater for the complex needs...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2024)

Mark Wall: ...commend the Cathaoirleach on that because never was it more apt to have a pause for peace. Today is such an important day in that as we celebrate Brigid, we also call for that ceasefire that is so long overdue. I want to mention a group of young ladies from a local Athy band, If, who took part in the We Shall Overcome concert. They gave us a rendition of "Johnny I Hardly Knew You",...

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

Mark Wall: ...Minister of State. On behalf of the Labour Party, I welcome the establishment of the tribunal of inquiry. There can be no doubt, as previous speakers indicated, that its establishment has taken a long time. It is important to acknowledge what we have before us. As Members have done in this House and in the Dáil previously, we pay tribute to the Women of Honour. I welcome them...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (30 Jan 2024)

Mark Wall: ...report and recommendations, published over 20 years ago, have yet to result in a published Bill. Instead of one, we now have another stop-gap amendment and another coroner reform consultation. This must be longest review of an inadequate service in the history of the State. The issues and difficulties within the Coroner Service have been ongoing for decades, and even before the expert...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jan 2024)

Mark Wall: ...in single adult fares of 45% from the train station in Newbridge and 37% from Kildare town. That is what we have learned so far. This document has only been published in the last hour and a half. It is 90 page long, so we want to walk through it. I ask that the Leader request the Minister for Transport to come back to the House to discuss commuting, rail fares and this document. When...

Seanad: An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An Teaghlach), 2023: An Dara Céim - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Jan 2024)

Mark Wall: ...41 in no way reflects the current and wonderful diversity of family life in Ireland. Indeed, it is my experience that such a restrictive definition has not reflected family life in Ireland for a long time. We therefore feel it is time to amend the definition of family, just as it is time to amend the language used in Article 42.2. I will not get a chance to contribute to that debate...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (7 Dec 2023)

Mark Wall: ...will be aware, as will the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, that the means test is an issue I have raised with the Minister a number of times both here and at the social protection committee. It is my long-held view and belief that there should be no means test on carers given the fact that Family Carers Ireland has so often told us that carers in this country are saving the State €20...

Seanad: Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2023)

Mark Wall: ...statutory footing, as the Minister of State said. It is important. I second what the Minister of State said regarding the work of my colleague, Senator Sherlock, on this matter. It seems to be a long time since we were in the Dáil Chamber when this was first discussed all those years ago. She has continued to highlight this issue at every opportunity. I also acknowledge the INTO...

Seanad: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Nov 2023)

Mark Wall: I welcome the Minister to the House. I begin by paying tribute to Teach Tearmainn, which provides a vital service for victims of domestic abuse and violence in my county of Kildare. Alongside emotional and informative supports, it offers refuge to women escaping horrific and traumatising situations in their homes. The work it does is commendable. As unfortunate as it is, its services are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Roll-out and Delivery of Broadband in Rural Areas: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Mark Wall: ...get to the bottom of it. Their neighbours are getting fibre broadband, but because of additional works, these people cannot get it and they are finding it very difficult to get answers as to how long it is going to take.

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

Mark Wall: ...our older population, I ask the Leader to use her office to try to get a debate on home care with the Minister in the House. I am delighted to say that on Tuesday the Taoiseach officially opened the new and long-awaited Athy distributor road. This is the first opportunity I have had to put on the record of the House my thanks to all those from all political parties, community groups and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Green Paper on Disability Reform: Department of Social Protection (25 Oct 2023)

Mark Wall: ...people because of the stress they were put under when they went to those meetings. I would like to hear what the Department's plans are for those appropriate employment supports and services. This is something I have long called for, so I welcome the fact the domiciliary care allowance, DCA, is being extended to 18 years of age. When people on the allowance at age 16 were coming into...