Results 3,401-3,420 of 9,293 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (23 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: In his speech the Minister of State said:We recognise that not all those participating in the protest were non-violent. Stones were thrown, Molotov cocktails were hurled and some protestors attempted to breach the border fence when there had been explicit warnings of the consequences of doing so. There have also been reports that many of those shot were members of Hamas. If this was a...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (23 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Last week the United States of America and Israel marked the locating of the United States embassy in Jerusalem. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said it was "a glorious day for Israel". The US President, Donald Trump, said it was "a great day for Israel." For Palestinians, however, it was an horrific day as the toll of dead and injured rose. It was also the 70th...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (23 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The brutality and savagery of the Israeli army has once again been laid bare for the world to see. The Israeli army fired live ammunition indiscriminately and it gassed protestors. The Government must give a strong and unambiguous statement that there can be no impunity for Israel's mass killing and murder of Palestinian citizens, and its continued illegal occupation of Palestine. The...

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (23 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Over two months have passed since the launch of Project Ireland 2040. We should be dealing with legislation to give effect to its provisions instead of making more statements in which we point to the very obvious. People living in rural Ireland are suffering from announcement fatigue. We receive updates every couple of weeks on the roll-out of plans such as the national broadband plan.The...

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (23 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Minister is a good man, but that is a drop in the ocean.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (22 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Dr. Beamish drew attention to sea-bass. I will take his guidance on that as I presume what he said is based on the work of the Marine Institute and assessment of the stock by scientists. Where is the measure coming from? I accept that Dr. Beamish's position is based on science and data but where is the Commission getting its information that has led to this proposal? Similarly, I would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Genomics Programme: Discussion (22 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I found the presentation very alarming. I refer to the stated objective of the scheme and that of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation and the aims are outlined on its website. The presentation and experiences outlined by Mr. McKiernan suggests that the complete reverse is happening, which is absolutely extraordinary. I am alarmed that we have reached a situation where an organisation,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Different Approaches and New Opportunities in Irish Agriculture: Discussion (15 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank Mr. Healy for his presentation. We had a pretty startling presentation made to us by the European Court of Auditors earlier this year to a joint committee session. One of the things that stood out for me and for everybody was that since 2007, one in three young farmers under the age of 44 in Ireland have left the land. That is not the same experience in every European country but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: My colleague, Deputy Seán Crowe, is in the United States on behalf of the committee so he sends his apologies for not being here today and has asked me, as a Sinn Féin Senator, to convey those apologies and to ask some questions, if that is okay. My party supports BDS. In Ireland, we are very proud of the Dunnes Stores workers. Many years ago, they worked for Dunnes Stores here...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The discussion about the two-state solution was a good opportunity for us. On the basis of the Oslo Accords everyone in Europe subscribed to the two-state solution and the idea of the Palestinian people having their own state, limited as it is. I was in the occupied territories some years back. A presentation was made by an eminent professor. He demonstrated to us the nature of the...

Seanad: Report on Credit Union Sector: Statements (9 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Like all Oireachtas Members, I receive an invitation every year to engage with the Irish League of Credit Unions and listen to its key priorities. For a number of years, I have been perplexed as to why its eagerness and willingness to contribute to a house building programme in the State has not been addressed and facilitated. It wants to play a substantial role in that and has substantial...

Seanad: Local Government Accountability Bill 2018: Second Stage (9 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Councillors are one of the most crucial elements of this democracy. They have in-depth knowledge of a particular local area, its community, infrastructure and vitality as a part of wider society. The work we do in this House is largely focused on national issues, while their focus is largely local. While that is the way it should be, many issues such as housing, health, the provision of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Shortage Risk Management Measures: Discussion (8 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: There has to be a degree of honesty in our assessment. The pillar banks that are represented before us are in the business of making a profit for their shareholders. That is what they do; it is the task staff are given by management and shareholders. The difficulty as I see it is the framework and infrastructure provided by the Government for farmers. A range of sectors have been...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: As all Senators will know, my home peninsula, Inishowen, was devastated by floods last August. The village of Burnfoot was particularly devastated. Journalists from RTÉ and the rest of the national media were based in that village for two days. They told the story of the families. In one council estate, Grianan Park, which is a lovely little community, half of the residents were out...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Lord Feighan.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: No, Lord Boyle.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Commissioner Phil Hogan (26 Apr 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Last week, the Seanad debated Brexit and the North in the presence of the Tánaiste, where we had an opportunity to put across our concerns. I do not believe I need to say it to the Commissioner, but Europe must defend the Good Friday Agreement. It is an international agreement which protects our peace process and our island. One of the elements underpinning our peace process is the...

Seanad: Forestry Sector: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The planting of large areas of land with trees driven by grant aid and annual payments to landowners has to be examined for its overall impact on communities and long-term impact on the land and the environment. Most of the forests in Ireland are planted on marginal land in areas of the west and north west, where heavier soils and wetter climate limit profitable agricultural options. Many...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I apologise, as I have just become aware of the serious issue that I wish to raise. However, it is urgent. It relates to incontinence nappies for children and adults with disabilities. My office and the offices of other colleagues are being called about problems with deliveries across the State. The parents and loved ones of those affected are being promised time and again that their...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2018)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: In recent days, the Irish Examinercarried a feature on some of the most enjoyable walks in Ireland. Second on their list was Swan Park, Buncrana, County Donegal. Eight months ago, that riverside park was destroyed by the floods in the Inishowen Peninsula. I have raised this repeatedly in this room. This is a major tourism amenity in the second largest town in Donegal. I do not know...