Results 901-920 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The disturbance at the gates of Leinster House last night is a reminder of how much we owe the organised trade union movement in this country. The leadership - I salute the comments of Mr. Jack O'Connor in recent times - and the provision of a voice to people who are angry because they have lost jobs or are under very severe pressure has been the right way to approach the crisis we are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Walsh raised important issues regarding tribunals. While the Senator appears at times to be a voice in the wilderness, he expresses a concern that is widely held in the public domain. While I understand the Houses must show sensitivity in this regard given that the Oireachtas established the tribunals, nevertheless we must at some point draw a line and query matters arising from the...

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I am glad these statements are taking place. In fact, we should probably have them more often in view of the power of the broadcasting media. Broadcasting by its nature is constantly changing. In a very short period we saw how RTE, or Radio Éireann, RE, moved from being accommodated in a number of small offices in Henry Street to where it is today....

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is possible we need in this Chamber a debate on the issue of education because many changes are taking place and there are issues we should discuss. However, it is neither fair nor tenable to base the request for such a debate on the issue of child sex abuse. In this regard, we must be fair to everybody. It is not right to indict the entire Catholic Church because of the actions of a...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I commend Senator Corrigan for her sensitive and compassionate comments on the death of a woman who succumbed to the pressures and stresses of economic deprivation. It behoves society in general and us, as legislators, to engage more in these difficult times, as we are all well aware of the hopelessness many people feel. It is unprecedented in the history of the State. We have had great...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have had reason to criticise Israel for its brutality. On several occasions we have been able to point to specific incidents when it targeted civilians and massacred women and children, about which we were told there would be an inquiry and that action would be taken, but that was the end of the matter. The state of Israel used Irish passports in its murderous deeds, against which many...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Walsh has undertaken very extensive and thorough research on the cost of tribunals and has done so in a non-partisan way. In addition, he has made the findings of that research available to us. He has endeavoured on several occasions to generate interest in the matter which has been touched on here, particularly on the Order of Business. We all understand there are constraints on...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We have stacked module after module and are all holding our breath awaiting their findings. It behoves each and every one of us, in a non-partisan way on behalf of citizens, to find out precisely what can be done regarding the excessive costs of the tribunals.

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I move: That Seanad Éireann commends the Government for its commitment to lifelong learning and upskilling, implementing policies in support of activation and training, skills development and lifelong learning and the significant progress it has made in meeting the objectives set out in the national skills strategy.

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: No, I will speak later.

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. When I moved the motion, I omitted to apologise for the late commencement but I do that now. We regret that it happened. I am pleased that this debate is taking place this evening. I will not go into the nitty-gritty of whether the motion or the amendment is necessarily the main flag-bearer of the debate. What we should look at, first, is the history of...

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This has been a wide-ranging debate and it is quite evident that it has been informed by the experience and exposure of the contributors to the education system. This reflects the make-up of the Seanad, as we have often remarked on. It is inevitable that success will be measured against potential for the future, and education is no different. It is not something that stands still. We must...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: From the first day I came into the Seanad, other Senators and I have endeavoured to provide advocacy on behalf of people who suffer abuses of human rights. Where possible, I have endeavoured to give a voice to those who have no voice, particularly prisoners of conscience. I have always believed we should tread warily on the individual conscience. After all, conscience is what distinguishes...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I recently received a poignant letter from a gentleman who was anxious to see greater activity on the issue of missing persons. He writes about his sister, Ellen, who went missing nearly ten years ago and describes how his life ended and the torture he endures as a result of this event. He wants to raise the level of our awareness of families who are living in hell because loved ones have...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is mian liom ár gcomhbhrón agus ár mbród a chur in iúl do mhuintir Callanan. Níl aon amhras ach go bhfuil fear mór croíúil uasal misniúil imithe uainn. Tá taithí againn go léir go pearsanta gur sheas sé an fód nuair a bhí géarghá leis agus gur thug sé an deashampla. Ba dhuine é a raibh prionsabal i gcónaí i gceist aige in aon chomhrá nó aon díospóireacht sa Teach...

Seanad: Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (22 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is mian liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. Tacaím leis an mBille agus táim sásta gur dhein an t-Aire cás an-láidir go bhfuil géar ghá le síniú ama maidir le toghchán Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá an t-údarás ar cheann des na gníomharthachtaí is tábhachtaí ó thaobh na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta de. Tá sé tábhachtach, mar sin, go mbeadh gach rud déanta maidir leis...

Seanad: Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cheap mé gur thug an Cathaoirleach sainmhíniú dáiríre ar an fáth go bhfuil an Bille seo os ár gcomhair. Baineann sé leis an dréachtstraitéis, gan amhras. Tá sé cinnte ón méid a chualamar i gConamara agus ag na cruinnithe anseo go bhfuil an túdarás lárnach sna smaointí a bhí ag gach éinne maidir leis an straitéis. Tá sé an-shoiléir go ndéanfaí athstruchtúrú de...

Seanad: Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Bím amhrasach ó am go chéile faoi straitéisí, tuarascálacha, athbhreithniú agus rudaí den sórt sin ach sa chás seo táim sásta nach bhfuil an scéal amhlaidh. Gach rud a chuala mé on Aire le tamall anuas, táim sásta go bhfuil práinn i gceist aige maidir leis an straitéis. Cheap mé go raibh argóint an-mhaith ag an Seanadóir Doherty maidir leis an Seanad ach má fheiceann...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: When we enter this House, we bring with us a variety of views, philosophies and experiences. The system allows us to express our views freely and, while they do not have to be accepted by other Members, it is important that we feel we have the right to express them. We must protect this system because otherwise the people who expect us to represent them will be denied their rights. Without...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It seems that the Queen will have to stay for a year if she is to go to all the places to which she will be invited.