Results 321-340 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The DUP leader should allow us all some space on the moral high ground.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The moral high ground does not belong to any one group of people. Fr. Reid should not be diminished for his magnificent work.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: What we have discussed most of this afternoon is an abuse of power at its most extreme. I cannot understand how any human being, with a modicum of sensibility, could deliberately inflict such hurt and torture on a vulnerable family. Is the media saying it has different standards from those it demands from people, particularly those in public life? If it claims it is not exercising different...

Seanad: Suicide Prevention Strategy: Statements. (26 Oct 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I compliment him on the work done in the area of mental health. In many ways the Minister of State is the human face of corporate government. It is relevant to touch on that aspect of his portfolio today. Over the years the issue of suicide has been raised several times on the Order of Business in this House....

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is right and fitting that we commemorate the rising of 1916. In Killarney the Taoiseach said it was not triumphalist, but a matter of recognising the sacrifice, valour and humanity of those who fought in the rising which was a watershed on the road to independence. As I recall, in 1966 there was a whole year of commemorations of sports, cultural and literary activities. The Taoiseach made...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Taoiseach is acting in the best interests of the people. I appeal to everyone in this Chamber and throughout the country to unite in this commemoration.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In recent years there has been a much improved working relationship between the North and South of this island. In many ways it is extraordinary and not many people could have foreseen the progress that has been made in a relatively short time. For too long we have been dealing with megaphone diplomacy which was not often diplomatic. There is also an improved working relationship and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I hope the Government and the Oireachtas generally will support any move in that direction.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Brian Hayes has raised an important issue with the Shot at Dawn Campaign. It would be right and significant for the House to demonstrate united support for the campaign. In recent years, we have seen, particularly through satellite television, the archival film material from the battlefront of the First World War. We have all come to realise how horrific it was. I have read some of...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2005: Second Stage. (9 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I thank Senator Kitt for sharing his time and I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I wonder if the offer of cut-price wills for the duration of a week in Senator Kitt's diocese might extend to other areas. We may all be travelling to Senator Kitt's area otherwise, as it appears to be a great idea. I compliment Senator Leyden on tabling this Bill. Many of us are probably kicking...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Will the Leader schedule a debate soon on issues connected with security in rural Ireland, particularly for elderly people and those living in isolated areas? The tragedy to which Senator O'Toole referred has brought this problem to light again. There are two victims in this case, the misfortunate man who was killed, and the other man whose life has been ruined. He says he feels safer in...

Seanad: Ferns Report: Statements (Resumed). (15 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Over the years on the Order of Business, when each new incident of sexual abuse came to light, we had some limited debate. Of course, it was not possible to have a full focus on the issue. When the Ferns Report was published we were dealing with a totally different situation. It was certainly one of the blackest days in the history both of the church and of the country. In a way, it impacted...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The admission by the United States that it used chemical weapons in Iraq is mind-boggling.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We have listened for so long to spokespersons for the American Administration preaching sermons about other countries using chemical weapons. The acquiescence by many nations worries me and can have only one result. It will come back and haunt us in the future. One cannot build a stable democracy in Iraq against a background of torture, which we have recently learned about, and the use of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is important that we pull back from the brink. The recent revelations are an indication of what has happened and the potential for the future.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator Brian Hayes in calling for a debate on Northern Ireland. There are a number of issues that we need to discuss, in particular the point he raised regarding these new super councils to be established in the North. What surprised me about the proposal was that it seems to have come out of the blue. With most other proposals that impact on community life, there is generally a...

Seanad: Iraq War: Motion. (23 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire chuig an Teach. I have often said I am a friend and supporter of America and I have availed of American hospitality many times over the decades. Today I am deeply ashamed of America. What it is doing offends my sense of morality and I must speak from my heart. I return to the first shrieks we heard from the "shock and awe" invasion of Iraq. At that time I said it...

Seanad: Iraq War: Motion. (23 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The torture exposed is only the tip of the iceberg. The only reason that it has been admitted and exposed is that the perpetrators had no choice but to own up to the fact that it had happened. Can anyone here stand over a captive being treated in that manner, when for several decades we have been trying to bring about a world order that will ensure that what happened in the past never...

Seanad: Iraq War: Motion. (23 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: ——at times feeling particularly isolated in doing so. It is not possible for me to stand up and say the opposite. The other side of my personality is the political one, and with a heavy heart I will have to vote for the Government amendment. However, I will have it clearly on the record that the day that I believe we are making progress is when the Government does not table an amendment...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It would be helpful to have a regular debate on Northern Ireland to discuss items of immediate concern. One such matter is the arrest yesterday of a high-profile republican in the North. As with many previous cases it seems to be as much about politics as about the pursuit of justice. The man in question is a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and comes from a high-profile sporting...