Results 781-800 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Night-time Rural Transport: Statements (23 Jun 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I dtosach, fáiltím roimh an Aire agus an soiléiriú a thóg sé dúinn ar an gcóras iompair tuaithe. Déarfainn gur chuir sé eolas ar fáil dúinn nach raibh b'fhéidir ann go poiblí go dtí seo agus b'fhiú an t-eolais sin a bheith againn chun bunchloch ceart a thabhairt don díospóireacht seo mar is díospóireacht an-thábhactach í. I can recall the famous interview given by...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The trade union movement has played a monumental role in the development of the economy, the creation of employment and, above all, in ensuring stability in industrial relations. We still have a significantly high level of employment but the challenge facing us is to ensure those jobs are protected and to create new jobs where possible. We should acknowledge the courage shown by a number of...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the call for a weekly debate on the economy, which has been proposed here before. It is not sufficient to have a related debate every few weeks on a given issue. If we are to do justice to this House and also endeavour to contribute to solving the economic difficulties, it must be done methodically. It should be possible to reach cross-party agreement as to what that method...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (30 Jun 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá an samhradh ag sleamhnú thart anois agus deirtear go mbeidh reifreann nua againn maidir leis an gconradh Liosbón san fhomhar. Tá súil agam idir an dá linn go mbeidh seans againn sin a phlé anseo mar má tá ceacht le foghlaim ón reifreann deireanach is é sin go gcaithfimid éisteacht leis na rudaí atáá rá ag na daoine atá i gcoinne an chonartha. It is very important that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is not so long since we had a debate on the Middle East during which we pointed to the change in direction of the new Administration in the United States, exemplified by the appointment of an envoy to the Middle East. Since the appointment of President Obama, the US Administration has taken a stronger line on Israel but it is quite evident that the Israeli Administration does not take any...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It responds with absolute impunity. It seems to hold the view that one can starve a population into subjection and deny it necessary medicines and yet in some way succeed in achieving a solution for the future. We know from Irish history that this has never worked. What is occurring is that the Israelis are creating a new generation of Palestinians who will realise that dialogue does not...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In normal circumstances, as a life-long trade unionist, I would vigorously defend the trade union movement and support its right to strike. In the case of the current electricians' strike, I accept they have the right to do that, but there is no other way of describing the present strike except as economic lunacy because the number of people who are being directly affected by this will run...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (8 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire arís. Aontaím leis go bhfuil sé tráthúil go bhfuil an rún seo os ár gcomhair. Molaim an Lucht Oibre as ucht an rún a chur ar fáil dúinn. Tugann sé seans dúinn ár dtuairimí a nochtadh. Níos tábhachtaí fós, tugann sé seans dúinn tuairimí an Aire a chloisint freisin. Níl aon amhras faoi ná go leanfar leis an díospóireacht seo go dtí go...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Over a number of weeks many Senators have expressed their concern as regards the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In recent days we have had first-hand accounts of how serious is that situation. Young people in particular are suffering because of lack of medicines and there is no food or proper housing. It is quite clear, based on the responses coming from Israeli sources that there will be...

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: D'éist mé leis an chuid is mó den díospóireacht anocht agus caithfidh mé a rá go raibh sé an-chabhrach, mar bhí tuairimí á nochtadh ar an dá thaobh. Is trua nach bhfuil an díospóireacht á chraoladh ar an teilifís agus ar an raidió. Sin easpa mór a bhí ann le linn an reifrinn deireanach, nach ndearna na meáin cumarsáide iarracht níos mó míniú a thabhairt ar cad a...

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Minister without interruption.

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I wish to deal with a procedural matter relating to Bills to amend the Constitution. The substance of the debate on Committee Stage relates to the wording of the proposed constitutional amendment, which is contained in the Schedule to the Bill. The sections of the Bill are merely technical. Therefore, in accordance with long-standing practice, the sections are postponed until consideration...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator Cummins's remarks on the announcement by CIE Tours International that it will not include the Waterford Crystal showrooms on its itinerary in future. This is a retrograde step. Waterford has suffered enough, particularly with the closure of the Water Crystal plant and a number of other closures across the county. It is a backward step for the tourism industry because in...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There has been a shift in recent years where tourism is concerned. There is a greater concentration on Dublin than on the country areas. There is no doubt that tourism faces challenges at present but by withdrawing the tour visits from areas like Waterford, in the long-term-----

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I doubt there will be an opportunity before the summer recess but we must discuss tourism in general because we are facing a serious situation. The message that is being sent out by CIE Tours International is the wrong message at this time. We should be trying to get back to the way we were seven or eight years ago, where every part of the country benefited from tourism. That is not the...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Let me take up the point made by Senator Francis Fitzgerald on the recent violence in Northern Ireland, which was absolutely shocking. The violence comes as a great disappointment to all those who have invested so much hope in our newly found peace and who believed we had entered an era in which people could sit down and settle their differences as equals. In this regard, one can only hope...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In recent weeks, the House engaged in a well informed debate on the Lisbon treaty and some fine analysis was put forward by Members with regard to why the previous referendum was not successful. The House also discussed the guarantees the Government has obtained to lay to rest some of the concerns expressed by the electorate, among which were neutrality and taxation. In addition, there was...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I fully endorse the comments of Senator Cannon and compliment him for raising the issue. I am familiar with the issue and am close to the fund-raising efforts made in this case. I know the family and they have had a traumatic experience as a result of the accident. One is edified by the fact the family has responded in such a positive manner to the challenges they have faced. When I heard...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Oct 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá cúrsaí pleanála thar a bheith conspóideach sa tír seo agus tugann éinne a bhíonn ag plé cúrsaí pleanála faoi deara go bhfuil freagraí ag teastáil ar an-chuid de na socruithe atá déanta in áiteanna éagsúla. Tá súil agam go gcabhróidh an Bille seo maidir le daonlathas áitiúil agus go mbeimid sásta éisteacht le daoine áitiúil ag a...