Results 21-40 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Will the Leader request the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House to update us on the position on the many missing persons in the State? I have raised this matter on several occasions and was prompted to do so again when I heard a new group had been established by the sister of the one of the missing persons. It is known as the Jo Jo Dollard Memorial Trust Fund....

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jan 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator Norris regarding a debate on Iraq. I genuinely feel that we need to discuss this matter at an early date because I also heard the programme to which he referred and I was absolutely shocked at how unbalanced it was. I was so angry I almost had to pull the car in off the road. I could not believe what I was listening to on the radio.

Seanad: Iraq Crisis: Statements (Resumed). (6 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I sense a palpable, controlled emotion in this debate and I sense the very same emotion among the general public whenever this issue is discussed. It seems as if we are torn between common humanity and what might be perceived as economic and political expediency. It has been said here many times that being anti-war does not mean being anti-American. Those who equate both things are doing a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator McCarthy's call for a debate on planning, especially in the context of rural development. I would like the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to attend this debate. There is significant unrest throughout the country. For example, in Mayo two weeks ago, more than 300 people attended a meeting on this issue, while in Kerry several hundred...

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (11 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I hope the Leader will arrange for a debate on human rights at an early date. In an atmosphere of war, individual human rights issues tend to get lost and are not covered in the media. Members often try to raise such issues on the Order of Business when, perhaps, it is not appropriate to do so. Such issues include the fact that hundreds of thousands of people around the world may die from...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Fáiltím roimh an Aire agus roimh an ráiteas spreagúil dearfach a chuir sé os ár gcomhair inniu. Ní hé seo an chéad uair a sheas sé an fód ar son mhuintir na tuaithe. Ní amháin gur sheas sé an fód ach is minic a léirigh sé samhlaíocht agus tacaíocht tré ghníomhaíocht le tamall fada anuas. I thank the Minister for his positive contribution. Anyone who looks back on the...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I thank the Minister for his attendance and for his interest in all the contributions.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I speak on behalf of an endangered species – the bean an tí in the Gaeltacht – and I hope to engage the support of the Leader in this regard. As a result of new guidelines from the Revenue Commissioners, it is almost certain that mná tí will no longer be available. There is hardly a Member in the House who cannot look back with affection on their first visit to the Gaeltacht. The bean...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It will be more difficult for the bean an tí in the future. It is particularly appropriate for the Seanad to debate this matter and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs should come before the House because he has his finger on the pulse in regard to these matters. A recent survey on the Gaeltacht shows it to be more endangered than ever. If the bean an tí cannot be found...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008: Statements. (19 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his report. The national drugs strategy is probably one of the most important initiatives in the State. It is indicative of the serious situation with which we are dealing and of our determination to combat the drugs culture. Nobody can be oblivious to the damage that has been done. The media has highlighted it in many ways and, in particular,...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Does Senator Bannon wish to speak before I put the question?

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (6 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Ó bheith ag éisteacht anseo inniu is léir go bhfuil fear mór an chultúir Ghaelaigh imithe ar shlí na fírinne, fear mácánta, uasal agus díograsach. Bhí sé de phribhléid agamsa é a bheith mar chara agam le breis agus 30 bliain. Más féidir rud a rá faoi Shéamas de Brún seachas aon rud eile, is féidir a rá go raibh uaisleacht aige. Bhí sé i gcónaí ag iarraidh cairdeas a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The ground rents system is a cause of daily concern for thousands. Is it possible for the Leader to invite the appropriate Minister to discuss this issue with the House? The system is antiquated and feudal and belongs to another era.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It should have disappeared as the winds of history blew. It is most unfair and repugnant to our concept of independence that people who have inhabited a house all their lives, as did their people before them, must live with such uncertainty. When the lease on the house expires, the tenants will be expected to pay a substantial part of its market value. It is time to examine the historical...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I wish to raise an issue that I know is of concern to many Members and to the wider community. I refer to the plight of our elderly emigrants, particularly in Britain, many of whom feel deserted and are living in deprived, insecure conditions. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, raised this issue yesterday and went as far as to say that it was payback...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have never had the privilege of attending the St. Patrick's day parade in New York, but I believe it is a spectacular event. It would be in order to ask the Leader to ask the Government to convey our good wishes to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. That organisation has been a good friend to this country for many years and the parade has also been a great shop window for Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Its members have also been great hosts for Irish visitors.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Senator would have been permitted to take part. I understand now what Senator Norris means by freedom of speech. I now want to finish what I am saying.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We should convey our gratitude and appreciation to the organising committee of the parade and to the AOH itself.