Results 801-820 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (7 Oct 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tairgim leasú a 1: To delete all words after ''Seanad Éireann'' and substitute the following: ''congratulates this and previous Governments for their foresight in introducing and expanding the Rural Transport Initiative that has seen: it develop from a pilot scheme carrying 151,000 passengers in 2003 to 1.2 million passenger journeys in 2008; an increase in the numbers of services from...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (7 Oct 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I did, as Gaeilge. Chuala an Seanadóir O'Reilly é sin. When I spoke on the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill earlier I made many of the same points as Senator O'Reilly made just now. It is vital that young people investing their confidence in rural Ireland, which is different to what it was 30 or 40 years ago, should be facilitated, particularly if they want to build houses on...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is seldom we have such energy on the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Perhaps it is because it deals with our survival and future, and let that be the case, but there are times I wish there were even more Members on the Independent benches because they have been great contributors to debates in this House and in recent days they have been the best advocates in public for Seanad Éireann. I salute them for that because we need rational and balanced debate at...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It would be much better if we had a substantive debate and if the motion from the Independents is to give us that debate, let us have it sooner rather than later.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I refer to the last point raised by Senator Norris. I applaud him each time he raises a human rights issue in the Chamber. This matter should not be left lying. All these issues are important and there should be a method to ensure there is proactive follow-up each time such an issue is raised. I hope the matter raised by the Senator will be taken up and that there will be a response to...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We have had many discussions in the past year on the economy and at times some of us considered there was a lack of reality in many of the discussions. We considered that negativity was beginning to smother any debate that might be positive or that might give us an opportunity to see where exactly we would solve the problem, which we all accept is of a catastrophic nature. I am glad to...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have been a trade unionist all my life; I was an officer in the trade union movement for many years and at all times I defend its rights. However, this is one occasion on which when we must balance requirements in the State. I made the point here on a previous occasion that we needed to be particularly careful regarding most of those on social welfare because they were in a very serious...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Coffey has done a service to this House by his contribution regarding the planning code and its operation, transparency or otherwise. During the planning legislation debate I raised some of the same matters regarding An Bord Pleanála. I do not make specific criticisms but we have placed power in the hands of a very small number of people. That power impacts, not only on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Two contributions made on the Order of Business this morning have significant potential to find an economic solution to put us on the road to recovery. I refer to the comments made by Senators Joe O'Reilly and Eoghan Harris. We should pay careful attention to what both Senators said. They believe this House could play a distinctive role on specific issues, provided time is allocated to...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We should do likewise with regard to the conciliatory statement from the Irish Banking Federation this morning. It is not sufficient just to welcome that statement. We should set aside time here and give Senators the opportunity to discuss it. We will need to nudge it forward. The House has been very alert on the issue of mortgages and has raised the issues of negative equity and fixed...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the comments of Senator Ross on capital punishment. It is important for us to make our views known on an issue such as this, even though the executions in question are outside our jurisdiction. First, history contains many cases of innocent people being executed and subsequently exonerated. The mere fact that that can happen should alert us to the dangers involved. Second,...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Am I right in thinking that when an issue like this arises we can go back to the CPP and discuss it?. I honestly think what is happening here is most unfair to Senator Walsh.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I want to make that point.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome the release of Fr. Michael Sinnott. It is a cause of great rejoicing for his family, the entire country and all people who are committed to helping those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Listening to the radio interview this morning one could not but be struck by the sheer generosity of spirit Fr. Michael Sinnott displayed. He is an example to us all, even in our current...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I compliment Senator Mullen on a recent television performance in which he made a robust defence of the rights of the individual, particularly when it comes to character and integrity. We must accept that it is not acceptable to replace fact with fiction even if it is seen to be a good story. A broadcaster has enormous power and influence, which must be used responsibly. I am convinced...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It will not be long before we enter a countdown period leading to what everybody now accepts will be one of the harshest budgets we have had for a long time. We have had much debate, certainly in the Houses of the Oireachtas but also outside, particularly in the media. In the early stages of that debate one of the biggest difficulties in arriving at a consensus was that people were not sure...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is mian liom fáilte Uí Cheallaigh a chur roimh an Seanadóir nua. Táim cinnte go ndéanfaidh sé sár-jab san Oireachtas. Beidh áthas orainn go léir ar ndóigh cabhrú leis in aon tslí gur féidir linn. As regards yesterday's events, a number of significant issues became evident. First, we saw how the dreadful flooding disaster in many parts of the country and the trauma of the...