Results 301-320 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I understand that.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am referring to that point. It is vital we move to a much more transparent system of expenses. It is not only Senators or Deputies who need to have their expenses examined. The entire public service expenses regime throughout the country should be fully transparent, and that goes for broadcasters, public servants and others.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Own goals too.

Seanad: Youth Services (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady. I am speaking about youth cafés and the way the service is delivered in Galway, in particular, but also right across the country. There are nearly ten youth cafés in Galway and they provide a very useful service in this recessionary time. Never has there been more of a need to provide drop-in facilities for young people such as youth...

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I commend the Minister, Deputy Martin, on his actions to date. He has acted very responsibly and has caught the mood of the people. I thank Senator Dearey for sharing time. I commend Senator Doherty on his words, which were very poignant. There is a very close relationship and an affinity between Palestine and Ireland because of the nature of the conflicts that have taken place in Ireland...

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I commend Senator Norris on his point on the back-to-education allowance for Access students and how we simply cannot rely on clichés. He is absolutely right. Education is not about clichés but lifelong learning. There is often confusion between education and schooling when they are not the same. I recall my young son, when he was one year old, being fascinated by a leaf and learning...

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Does Senator Ó Murchú intend to speak to the motion now?

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I therefore call Senator O'Reilly.

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That is marvellous.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much welcome and endorse Senator Alex White's comments. What happened yesterday in international waters near Gaza was absolutely despicable. I knew people on some of the boats, including Senator Daly who is in the House today. He was on one of the boats going to Cyprus. I call for debates on two other issues, one of which was raised with me in the last few days, that is, rents,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I refer to the powerful contribution of Senator Ó Murchú and his use of the word "hope", which is important. The word is commonly used by the US President, Barack Obama, who wrote a book entitled, The Audacity of Hope. I am a great believer in consensus politics to lead the country and enable Members of both Houses to work together for its betterment. We often have tit for tat exchanges,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: He is not here.

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much welcome the Minister of State responsible for children to the House. It is very important that there be a Minister of State responsible for children. We are here to discuss the report of the Ombudsman for Children. It is very important that there be an ombudsman for children. Senator Mullen stated all the Government seems to do is produce reports. That is always a criticism of...

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Perhaps we are all children of the universe. I remember meeting the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, as a child. He was not a Minister of State then. He was a young fellow and I do not know whether he was in short pants. I cannot quite remember that much. I believe he was on the rugby field at the time. Senator Cannon made a number of very interesting points. He said the context of...

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Let us have no discrimination against men, please.

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That is her name.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I endorse those comments of Senator Regan. I also refer to the comments of Senator Hanafin with regard to same-sex marriage. After the civil partnership Bill has gone through the Houses, it would be wholly appropriate to have a referendum on same-sex marriage. With regard to the comments made by Senators Keaveney and Glynn, I ask for a debate on levels of violence and intimidation within...

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe, who has replaced the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. This is a very interesting debate. Various speakers made some intriguing comments. Senator Harris stated that he worked for RTE for 25 years. That is a long period in which to have worked in the media. The change in those 25 years has been extraordinary. When Senator Harris began working in...

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I have not come across that. The Minister of State is well ahead of the game where these sites are concerned; he was blogging and doing all sorts of other wonderful things before I had even heard of them. It is important that we have robust debates about how the media are affecting and will affect society. Senator Quinn referred to the potential of buying up programming for political...

Seanad: Code of Conduct for Civil Servants: Motion (12 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The Senator is being somewhat naive in respect of that matter.