Results 2,081-2,100 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I appreciate that the Leader has facilitated the debate. It is a timely one. My second point is on multidenominational education. There was a Commencement debate yesterday on the five schools across the State that have limited enrolment, the Educate Together schools. There is an ongoing issue concerning the relationship between the State and schools that are selling off lands. With...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: That is news to me. That is great and much appreciated. I do not know what to say now. I talked about housing-----

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle just ruined my Facebook video.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Report Stage (21 Feb 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I fully support the amendment and the sentiments expressed by Senator Norris. His amendment goes to the very core of our belief system and education. It brings to mind the vacuous statement that has been kicked around the place in recent years that Ireland should be the best little country in the world in which to do business. It really worries me that a Senator of such standing as Senator...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Multidenominational Schools (22 Feb 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. It is a matter of disappointment to me that neither the Minister for Education and Skills nor one of the Ministers of State at that Department have come here for this debate. I will raise the matter nonetheless in the hope of getting some kind of constructive reply. As the Labour Party spokesperson on education, I am concerned about the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Multidenominational Schools (22 Feb 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I just do not understand the reply. I wish I did. I will probably have to read it on another occasion to get to the bottom of what the Minister of State is saying. Unfortunately, the Department and Minister are strangling the five schools. They will not be able to survive. They know they will not be able to survive if they are being told that, by next September, they will be able to take...

Seanad: Seachtain na Gaeilge: Statements (7 Mar 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Aire Stáit as a bheith linn inniu chun an ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé. Cuireann sé ladhar orm go minic agus mé ag éisteacht le polaiteoirí ag caint faoi chúrsaí Gaeilge agus ag iarraidh pointí polaitiúla a scóráil in ionad b'fhéidir todhchaí na Gaeilge a phlé go...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On International Women's Day the Government is to be commended for publishing the text of the proposed referendum to repeal the eighth amendment. Every day I think of the children I taught in an all-girls' school on Sheriff Street. They inspire me. Knowing that - I hope soon - with the votes of the people, they will have full bodily autonomy in the future is something that should be...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On a point of order, the ruling of the Chair is unbelievable. I drafted the amendment in three different ways on different Stages to try to secure representation by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on the governing body of the technological universities and each time it has been rejected. It is unbelievable that when one tries, with the best of intentions, to work within the process by...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I had not intended to speak so my comments will be brief and I will not speak again. I understand that yesterday's debate was quite respectful. I was impressed in particular by the comments of Senator McDowell whose contribution should be read by every intending voter in the upcoming referendum. I find the question about who we trust strange. Some people will vote against the holding of...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: It gives an indication of where his priorities on children lie. People are entitled to change their views. People talk about the journeys politicians have made. Again we have to return to the 12 journeys made today, the 12 journeys made yesterday and the 12 journeys that will be made tomorrow by very vulnerable upset women, who are being treated as criminals in their own country and who...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: When someone like the Minister, in the articulate way that he does it and by showing the journey that he has gone through, is willing to take the flak and debate with those who disagree with him within his own party and across the Oireachtas, I have significant admiration for him as a politician and a man. We are coming to the close of this Oireachtas debate. I look forward to it going out...

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (29 Mar 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: With studs up.

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (29 Mar 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I appreciate the opportunity to speak. The Minister of State may look at Senators speaking passionately on the matter of councillors' rights with a small bit of cynicism. I would not necessarily blame him as the vast majority of Senators are here because we got elected by councillors, in the main. We did the circuit and we went around to all the different meetings. To be frank, the vast...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I join with others to extend the Labour Party's sympathy to the family of Big Tom. It is fair to say he was a music legend in that part of the world, but also nationally and internationally. I met him on a number of occasions at Monaghan GAA matches and I think that is where he got his nickname as he was a formidable midfielder in his club football days. I pass on the Labour Party's...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Closures (19 Apr 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Minister of State for taking this debate. The issue is about St. Thomas's special school in Clonshaugh. It is a small school, with a small enrolment, and a school that nobody really believes has a future, although that is not the issue at question here. It is a school where, through circumstance, all the pupils enrolled are Traveller boys. A decision was reached recently and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Closures (19 Apr 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I listened to the Minister of State's reply. I appreciate that the intention of the Department is to promote integration. I believe in that and look forward to the day when we have more Travellers in the teaching profession and as role models in the educational sphere. My fear is that in years to come, there will be three, four, five or six young men who will point to the closure of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Senator Norris should read his emails, a Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2018)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: A couple of months ago I raised the issue of posters pertaining to this referendum. I made the comment that perhaps it would be best for all sides if neither "Yes" nor "No" posters were erected because of the sensitive nature of the issue at hand. I feel that even more strongly now. Walking past Leinster House today, I was greeted by an incredibly offensive and insensitive banner. Members...