Results 481-500 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It was very unfortunate that a person of the stature of Gabriel Byrne - we all have affection for him and are delighted that he has done so well in his profession - made such comments. The previous Government appointed him to serve as a cultural ambassador, which he did for a number of years. I was disappointed by Mr. Byrne's comments regarding The Gathering. I was even more disappointed...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Two years ago we had what I would consider an historic debate in this House on the future of Moore Street in Dublin, which has a strong connection with the 1916 Rising. On that occasion relatives of the seven signatories of the Proclamation were in the Visitors Gallery. They were indicating their support to have Moore Street developed as an historic and tourism attraction. Following on...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Two years ago we had what I would consider an historic debate in this House on the future of Moore Street in Dublin, which has a strong connection with the 1916 Rising. On that occasion relatives of the seven signatories of the Proclamation were in the Visitors Gallery. They were indicating their support to have Moore Street developed as an historic and tourism attraction. Following on...

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption: Statements (17 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well in his new office. This is not the first time Members of this House have had a debate on the misuse of alcohol. In fact, such a debate has been held in virtually all the years I have been a Member. Over those years, it was usually a knee-jerk reaction to some incident or report after which it seems to have been left at that. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the comments made on St. Patrick's Institution. Wherever young offenders are held - I do not intend to cast aspersions on prison staff in St. Patrick's Institutions - there may have been a lack of training and people may not have known how to deal with young offenders. Perhaps it is a knee-jerk reaction that the young people concerned got what they deserved because they may have...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We should have an early debate on the proposals for reform of local government. This serious task should be conducted in a non-partisan way. We need to tease out what the reform of local government entails - is it about economics, democracy or politics? We do not sit on local authorities, but we must consider how these proposals affect the people on the ground. There is a public...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Business of Joint Committee (16 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I would add my voice to those of the previous speakers. I am exceptionally disappointed about this when the proposals are of such a fundamental nature and will have a major impact on democracy, particularly at local level. When people telephone us or contact us they expect that we as legislators would have information on a matter. It is a pity this has happened and in some way it will...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Over the years we have heard some heartbreaking stories of vulnerable people, generally elderly and trusting people who have lost their life savings as the result of one fraud or another. In recent times I have noted the number of e-mails that come from various parts of the world, telling us there are large sums of money awaiting us if only we provide details to those concerned. This has...

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (3 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá an-áthas orm go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ag tarlú. Tá an-áthas orm freisin go bhfuil an cháipéis seo os ár gcomhair agus molaim na daoine a bhí i mbun na hoibre chun na cáipéise seo a thabhairt dúinn. Táim lánchinnte go gcabhróidh sí leis an díospóireacht ginearálta. I welcome the document presented and compliment those responsible for it who, in their own...

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (3 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: How much better this debate would be if the Taoiseach was sitting in that chair listening to the debate.

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (3 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: That would be real democracy in action. In recent years much lip service has been paid to the issue of reform. This document is not a knee-jerk reaction. Anybody who has read it from cover to cover will agree that its authors and the consultants have undertaken an indepth analysis of the issues involved. Does a House of Parliament and its possible abolition not deserve analysis and to...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Various speakers have spoken about the contrast between people in society who have problems and there is no doubt there are varying degrees of deprivation. There is no greater deprivation, however, than not to have a home, a roof over one?s head and, accordingly, not to have any sense of self-worth. There can be nothing worse than having to take refuge in a derelict building or having to...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien. There has been much debate over the years on the reform of the Oireachtas, not just the Seanad but also the Dáil, and how we do our business. Many of the demands we hear possibly come from people's perception of the way we work within the Houses of the Oireachtas. A point was raised by the Independent...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I wish to take up the point raised by Senator Mullins about small businesses. One of the saddest sights in years gone by was to see little households in rural Ireland padlocked, the roofs falling in, the buildings becoming derelict and the occupants scattered to the four corners of the Earth. They remain a reminder of how vulnerable we are as a nation and perhaps the lack of foresight we...

Seanad: Charities Act 2009: Motion (19 Sep 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and compliment the Labour Party Senators on tabling this motion because it gives us an opportunity to express our appreciation to the charities sector. The 2009 Act should be viewed in a positive way. If one studies the sections of the Act it is exceptionally clear that an effort is being made to preserve the good name of the charities...

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is said that justice delayed is justice denied. We would all agree that in the case of victims of abuse in residential institutions, justice has been delayed for a long time. In that context, it would be an aberration if we were to deny people justice on the basis of their failure to meet a designated time constraint. I accept that this is not the Minister's intention, but I am not...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator David Norris. I would also like to take up the point about the session we had with the Taoiseach yesterday. I found the debate helpful and edifying in many ways. I compliment the Leader and all of the speakers on their contributions yesterday. Once again it showed that we can discuss and debate serious issues, such as our...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second the amendment to the Order of Business. It is an indictment of the way we do business and of the two Chambers of the Oireachtas that the young trainee pilots and their families find it necessary to come to the gates of parliament to highlight a plight not of their making. These young people could just as easily have wallowed in the demoralisation which comes with recession and high...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Certain vested interests have directed a contrived cynicism at Seanad Éireann in recent years. Those who study the record of this House will clearly see that the Seanad has played a significant role in the defence of democracy and the promotion of human rights.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It has displayed a legislative vision as well. It is difficult to understand why this House is being given just one hour to comment on the consultative convention on the Constitution. Over the years, people with great personal courage have contributed to debates in this House by proposing ideas. We all hoped that many of these ideas would come together in the constitutional convention. It...