Results 21-40 of 194 for speaker:Don Lydon

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements. (11 Jun 2003)

Don Lydon: The invasion was not sanctioned by the UN. I will say something else that people might not like. The invasion was necessary in order to topple the dictator Saddam Hussein. He slaughtered thousands of his own people. He gassed the Kurds. We were given a huge amount of disinformation by the intelligence services of both Britain and the US. We were told that weapons of mass destruction would be...

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements. (11 Jun 2003)

Don Lydon: Anybody who has read the Ireland Aid programme and seen the work done by the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, will observe that we have a proud programme. We have done the best we can with the resources available and aid distributed wisely and fairly. Most of the aid we send reaches where it is supposed to go and achieves what is intended for it. The current Minister of State is interested...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2003)

Don Lydon: I ask the Leader for a debate on stem cell and embryo research. As I understand it, there is currently no legislation governing the area, although I believe that Senator Henry tried to introduce a Bill on it some time ago. It is an exciting area, which I understand shows great possibilities for the eradication of illness and disease. It is also frightening and has implications in the...

Seanad: European Convention/Intergovernmental Conference: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

Don Lydon: I must repeat what other Members said as it happens to be true: we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the people who negotiated this treaty on our behalf. I listened to Proinsias De Rossa, Deputy John Bruton and the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, time and again and found them to be really impressive. As Senator Ryan said, if any man was suited to the job, it was the Minister of State...

Seanad: European Convention/Intergovernmental Conference: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

Don Lydon: If we had the same God, he was on all sides. It should be possible to agree on a wording. I got a booklet from the Department of Foreign Affairs which states that the protocols would be considered at the Intergovernmental Conference, one of which protects Article 43.3 of the Constitution. Will the Minister of State clarify whether this will be considered or included? I see a great difficulty...

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements. (4 Nov 2003)

Don Lydon: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, to the House. He is doing a fine job and it is recognised by all sides of the House. It is important to go back to the invasion by Iraq of its non-threatening neighbour Kuwait. The Iraqis claimed that it belonged to Iraq at one time. Whether it did is neither here nor there because it was an act of blatant aggression against a non-threatening...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

Don Lydon: I asked about a week ago for a debate on stem cell research in view of the vote to be taken on 27 November. An Oireachtas committee has just rejected the proposal in question. It is important the House has a chance to debate the matter because civil servants have just told us that Ireland will vote to destroy human embryos if this vote goes ahead. A good end is never justified by evil means....

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

Don Lydon: I have been speaking to the civil servants.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

Don Lydon: Hear, hear.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (6 Nov 2003)

Don Lydon: If one opens a map of Europe and puts a finger down the middle, somewhere between the top of Norway and Malta, and half way between the Urals and the Twelve Pins, it will land in Prague, the centre of Europe. It is wonderful to see countries like the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic coming together into the European Union. Ireland was always on the periphery and I always imagined the...

Seanad: Stem Cell Research: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Don Lydon: There seems to be some confusion about the two issues involved here. The first issue concerns regulation and legislation and this is something we should discuss. In this regard I welcome the Tánaiste and ask her to use her office to bring in some legislation in this area. If it is not correct at first we can amend it, but please let us have some regulation. The second issue concerns stem...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (26 Nov 2003)

Don Lydon: I second the motion and I too look forward to the Minister's speech. A sum of €399 million has been allocated for international co-operation under our aid budget for 2004. This represents the highest allocation ever and an increase of €25 million over that for 2003. There have been increases every year since 1997, when the allocation was just €117 million, but they have been...

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (27 Nov 2003)

Don Lydon: It is always enlightening to hear the President speak, but it is also a great pleasure. I am not sure if I should wish him well in the election next year because I hope he will move from being President of the Parliament to President of the Commission. Unlike some colleagues, I believe we will have a European defence force. How does the President see that developing and how soon will it emerge?

Seanad: Address by Ms Nuala Ahern, MEP. (27 Nov 2003)

Don Lydon: I welcome Ms Ahern to the Seanad. It is always a pleasure to welcome a psychologist to the House. I had the very great honour of serving on a local authority with her late father for a number of years. He was a remarkable man and one of the finest people I ever met. We will not get into the stem cell research debate. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment had a very...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2004)

Don Lydon: Senators have spoken today and in the past about the increasing incidence of crime, particularly violent crime committed by young people and against women. While the causes are multi-factorial, Senator Tuffy spoke about one cause last week when she referred to the increase in pornography. I look at pornography and over 90% of it is anti-women. Most pornography reduces women to objects which...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Feb 2004)

Don Lydon: The Senator should show some humility.

Seanad: Israel-Palestine: Motion. (4 Feb 2004)

Don Lydon: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, to the House. We were fortunate to have both the Minister, Deputy Cowen, and the Minister of State in the House during the debate and both are mentioned in the motion, which is to their credit and seldom seen. This issue concerns two peoples rather than two countries, most of whom want peace with justice but some of whom do not want peace at...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)

Don Lydon: I call for a debate on pornography. This issue was first raised by Senator Tuffy and I supported her call in this regard some weeks ago. A debate would be useful because of the proliferation of pornography. We might consider whether it is harmless or if it has a detrimental effect on society, particularly regarding abuse.

Seanad: Address by Mr. John Hume, MEP. (3 Mar 2004)

Don Lydon: It is a great honour to be in the presence of John Hume and I am privileged to contribute. Like many other Senators, I have known him for some time. I refer to his deep personal commitment. He has done a great deal of work while travelling to many places and his energy is phenomenal. He has travelled here, there and everywhere and I recall on one occasion asking him how he did it. He replied...

Seanad: Address by Mr. John Hume, MEP. (3 Mar 2004)

Don Lydon: Half these tributes should go to his wonderful wife. John Hume also has a wonderful gift, which is the ability to bring people together. He will recall Burntollet Bridge and years ago one could not imagine David Trimble and Gerry Adams even talking to one another. However, they are at the stage they are at because John Hume constantly and gently persuaded them over time. There was no bullying...