Results 461-480 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I am pretty sure the Queen of England will not be particularly interested or concerned about what I have to say about the singing of her national anthem at the match and I am sure she was not very concerned about what happened on Bloody Sunday either.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: One thing that has worried me about this debate is the manner in which celebrities have been rolled out to steam-roll the views of other people and the deeply-felt emotions which are held by so many people. One television poll showed that 70% opposed the singing of "God Save the Queen" in Croke Park. I am not making an argument for or against it, but I am worried that the debate is such...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Mansergh made a significant and thoughtful contribution to the issue of respecting people's conscientious position on State issues and also to ensure that agencies with a particular ethos would not be coerced into providing a service which runs counter to that ethos. I thought it reasonable that he would take the position in Britain as an example because there is a parallel there. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tony Blair felt especially uneasy during the debate in Britain but what happened was he left his contribution too late. Senator Mansergh has done a service to Ireland by raising the issue at this time and giving this Chamber an opportunity of debating the matter soon.

Seanad: Health Service Reform: Statements (21 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Allow Senator Ulick Burke to speak without interruption.

Seanad: Mental Capacity and Guardianship Bill 2007: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I came in to pay tribute to Senator Henry. I had listened to her contribution earlier. I hope she will not mind me saying she is a remarkable lady. The work she has put into the Bill is amazing. Not only her medical background but also the social conscience she has always demonstrated here have come across clearly. It is probably not an area that many would feel attracts much political...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Brian Hayes raised the important issue of victims' rights. We sometimes forget the terrible trauma and hurt suffered by victims. It is vital that victims are made aware of the imminent release of the perpetrators of the crimes committed against them. I know of a young woman whose husband was murdered on a normal weekend in a quiet, provincial town. She and her family were deprived...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second and Subsequent Stages (27 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I also welcome this Bill. The Minister of State was right in saying it is not contentious or at least it should not be. He was also right in pointing to the calibre and quality of judges who have served this State well down through the years. The Bill is a reflection of societal changes we have at present. The judicial system or judges are no more immune from those changes and pressures...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: FÁS plays a significant role in training and many people owe their careers to the opportunities provided by the organisation. It also plays an important role in community development and the maintenance of community amenities. However, the social needs of the participants on FÁS schemes are often overlooked. When participants exceed the age threshold or have been on a scheme for a...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Coghlan raised an exceptionally important issue, supported by Senator Daly, in regard to the challenges now facing rural Ireland. Most of the debates we had here over the years focused on one-off housing. If people are not facilitated to return to live in rural areas and become part of the community, we will face many difficulties in future. We all bemoaned the mass exodus, leaving...

Seanad: Credit Union Savings Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (1 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I join other speakers in complimenting Senator O'Toole on bringing forward this Bill. In many ways, it is timely. Its main purpose is to ensure we do not end up closing the door after the horse has bolted. I was a founder member of the credit union in Cashel many years ago. One must look back to the start of the credit union movement to realise the role it has played in the intervening...

Seanad: Credit Union Savings Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (1 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Ultimately however, the credit union movement and individuals must be considered. The only way this can be done is to ensure everybody has a voice in his or her own right. We all received correspondence expressing different points of view. A variation in views was visible in what we received from branches of the Irish League of Credit Unions. There is nothing wrong with this either. If a...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I also saw the television interview with Mrs. O'Toole and heard her heartfelt appeal for fair play for her son and his memory. I think everyone would agree that she spoke as a loving mother and it was clear that she was devastated. She told her story without any embellishment. She did not hand out blame to anyone but she wanted the truth. The idea that somebody would spin that story before...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tourism is an important earner for Ireland. It is significant that its benefits are spread throughout the entire island. Cultural tourism is a significant element of that industry. The last major survey that was carried out in Ireland revealed that the top three preferences for tourists were of a cultural nature. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said yesterday that he did not...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In respect of the change itself and the plebiscite, I believe Senator O'Toole will agree that this is a legislative issue and can only come about with the change in the Act passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas. It might be helpful if somebody obtained a copy of the Irish Examiner from about six weeks ago. It contained a letter from Donna Ó Cinnéide outlining the deep hurt and...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In the past, An Daingean and the entire Gaeltacht were marketed together, but when it came to the plebiscite, the people of the Gaeltacht were omitted. If we are having a debate, we should bring this centre stage.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: One of the pioneers in the modern aviation sector was Monsignor Horan. He always appeared to enjoy the cut and thrust of defending his vision while at the same time getting on with the work. The Minister is the same. He enjoys the cut and thrust of debate but, most importantly, he gets on with the work. In fairness, he is a straight talking Minister. There is a minimum of waffle. One...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: That is as it should be. The cut and thrust of debates should be that way. I am old enough to span two generations in Cashel town. I remember when a bypass of Cashel was being discussed 30 years ago. There were public meetings to oppose the venture because it would affect the town's economy. The reason was that the economy in Cashel was not strong. There was not a huge number of...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We owe an immense debt of gratitude to journalists who go to the trouble spots in the world and endeavour to give us the facts. I do not mean as embedded journalists with any of the protagonists but as a broadcasting service with a humanitarian role showing the world precisely what is happening. One example of that was the invasion of Iraq. Those of us who opposed and condemned that...

Seanad: Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007: Second Stage (21 Mar 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?