Results 421-440 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I call for a debate on the way the media report the various numbers and figures we throw out here and which are being thrown out generally. At the weekend, one particular newspaper reported that the State owed a quarter of a trillion no less, that is €260 billion, to the European Central Bank. In many cases, the figures being thrown out are utterly irresponsible and there seems to be a...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I hope they do. Many irresponsible figures are tossed out here. I seemed to have heard Senator McFadden state that €15 billion is not a large figure. I certainly think €15 billion is a large figure.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We need to be careful how it is reported because so many people are turning off at this stage from all the figures that are thrown out. It is absolutely irresponsible to state this nation is in a state of chaos when, in fact, exports have reached a record high. It is possible for us to get out of the situation we are in but we have to be careful and prudent about the figures which we throw...

Seanad: Report of Joint Committee: Motion (4 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State. While I have not prepared a lengthy speech, this subject is dear to my heart and if Members will pardon the pun, I will speak off the cuff on it. I wish to raise a few matters relating to climate change because it has become a subject about which it is perceived that ordinary people cannot do much. Climate change is perceived to be something that does not...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (4 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I seek the suspension of the House because the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe, is needed for a vote in the other House and there is no pairing arrangement.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (4 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: As a result of a vote in the Dáil, I propose that we suspend the sitting until 1.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I agree with Senator Bradford who has made a valid point. I agree with other Senators also. People cannot be bullied into consensus. The Green Party is not proposing anyone should be bullied into adopting a consensus position, rather it is stating we all need to pull together because this is a very tough time. I want to see a debate on the economy take place. I agree with Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: A maximum wage should be introduced and linked with the national minimum wage. I propose that it be around eight times the national minimum wage, not 50, which is obscene. We must deal with higher wage earners. No one in the public sector should be earning more than the Taoiseach.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I support any calls for a debate on the Ombudsman. We have five Ombudsman positions in this country. The Seanad is the place to have a much closer link to those independent voices. I would support any debate in that respect.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I will not be pressed on how I am going to vote in future votes.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Thank you. The main issue on which I would like to call for a debate-----

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: -----is eco-tourism. We have raised this matter many times. There is great potential in this country for ecotourism that is not being realised at present. I have been lobbied on the matter on a number of occasions. I call for a proper and fulsome debate on ecotourism because we do not have a fully coherent plan for it. I accept Fáilte Ireland has produced certain documents on it but I...

Seanad: Effects of Recession on Mental Health: Statements (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am delighted the Acting Chairman is being generous with time to enable Senators express their angst, thus ensuring their mental health is catered for in the House. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, who receives much praise, and rightly so, in this Chamber. The issue of mental health is important to the Seanad. It is an issue which thankfully all parties are agreed on. A...

Seanad: Effects of Recession on Mental Health: Statements (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Yes, we were. Let us hope it can continue. Meditation is important. An over-reliance on tobacco, drugs or alcohol is not good. I am sure the Licensed Vintners Association will not be happy to hear me say that. It is important to focus on what is good. We should be counting our blessings. Many people in this country are stressed and fearful of the recession. While many people are badly...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I wish to add my support to the point made earlier by Senator Reilly. We are coming to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It is important the House recognises this. Commemorating the First World War dead is a matter for which we have to be big enough to accept as an important part of our history and heritage. I support the calls for the debate on the massive potential in...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The Senator is correct but the reality is that over 50% of our energy needs on three separate occasions have been supplied by renewable energy. We are improving greatly in this area and a debate on it is needed.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I was very interested to hear the previous speaker. I will not follow it, I will try to keep calm. I was also interested to hear the comments of Senator Ó Murchú who spoke about the old catch cry of Sinn Féin, which was "sinn féin amháin". This is the spirit that perhaps we need to look at. We need to look at the national spirit. We cannot have it both ways. If we are going to...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: They will still have shelter and housing. We can get through this crisis and it is important that we all believe this. We have to have a way through it, and the way Senator Dearey spoke about was looking at the Green Party agenda and the things we can do. It is quite clear that the Green Party new deal is something that will get not only Ireland but also Europe and the world out of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We can get through it and we need to focus on that.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am delighted to welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I want to make the case for the provision of a secondary school in Claregalway which is urgently needed. There are constant traffic problems in the area, as well as problems with sewerage. The population of the area has grown enormously in recent years and one of the problems is that there is no secondary school in the...