Results 921-940 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I wish her a very pleasant time. She comes across as a very nice lady. I will not extend an invitation from Cashel - I will leave it to the town council to do it.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I very definitely accept the apology from Senator Norris. I also accept that in future we will confine our debate to the Chamber. I thank him for his kind comments which I can return. He is an exceptionally distinguished Senator. I have sense that there will be a perception that we will set up a mutual admiration society. I wish to make a few points on this matter because it is...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I did so at length and believe the Senator welcomed that on the day. Nothing has changed in that regard. I still hold exactly that position. The Senator referred to people who want to refer to the Bill in a derogatory sense and that was the reason I spoke yesterday morning. I felt we must have freedom of speech. If people speak, I hope they speak genuinely, sincerely and generously. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We will have a good debate at that time. I bear no personal animosity towards the Senator, absolutely none. He is one of the finest contributors in the Seanad. I seem to agree with him 90% of the time. I certainly hope that after this morning's interaction we can express our views genuinely, but I assure the Senator of this much, with regard to the references he made about the back of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: He need not have no doubt in that regard. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to make those comments-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: -----because I believe it is in the interests of democracy-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: -----to make those points. Perhaps we have cleared the air and perhaps people who want to express a view will have the courage and feel free to do it. Bail ó Dhia ar on obair.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I refer to the importance of what Senator Rónán Mullen said with regard to free speech not only for one church, but for all churches. I compliment the Church of Ireland bishops which has been very much to the fore on the issue. I have no wish to go into the issue but the Leader should acknowledge the importance of what Senator Rónán Mullen said with regard to upholding the right of free...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The House discussed Israel's abuse of Irish passports in murderous activities. People were particularly appalled. Senators Quinn and Hanafin have mentioned the issue of another Irish passport being used. Ireland holds a particular status, in that we seem to be friendly with every country and every country is friendly towards Ireland. One reason is that we never colonised another country...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: One could also state that Ireland has helped many developing nations. Many Senators have raised the issue of Israel's use of our passports and, given that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, has been courageous where abuses in other countries are concerned, I would expect him to report to the House on the responses Ireland received. Some of Israel's spokespersons were arrogant...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is important when the House discusses the major issues of the day that we find time to think of the most vulnerable in society. In that regard, I compliment Senator Corrigan who has been proactive in raising important issues. The issue she raised today deserves our attention. We have all observed how people with psychiatric problems have been helped by being given a new life in the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have listened to most of the debate today and in a moment I will comment on some of the issues I have heard put forward very passionately on both sides of the House. I fully accept that the Minister has had an exceptionally difficult job to do. He wishes to extend civil rights to a group of people who have been denied those civil rights in the past, which is not to our credit. He has...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I will also deal with that in a moment. The record needs to be correct on all these issues. I must also make it clear that my expressing views that may be contrary to Government policy has nothing to do with the leadership of Fianna Fáil. I admire Deputy Brian Cowen. He has shown exceptional strength of character. He has demonstrated integrity and patriotic leadership. It is important...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: These are the same bishops whom we requested to enter the debate on the Lisbon treaty referendum to ensure its passage. They did precisely that. It is all right in one case but not in other cases. We should also bear in mind that these bishops have a mandate because they represent the majority of people who happen to profess the Catholic faith on this island. It is not just the Catholic...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the amendment and I concur with the remarks made by Senator Walsh. The Senator placed into perspective the fact that we engaged in a good debate on Second Stage. I am disappointed, therefore, that Senator Bacik in some way resents that we are seeking to protect our ideals. We engaged in a good debate on Second Stage because, as democrats, we accept that this is the process which...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There is time to step back from the temperature being created in this debate. When I spoke on Second Stage I do not believe I offended or insulted anyone nor did I personalise the debate but I was shocked by the aggressive tone I just heard and the underlying virtual threats which come with it. That cannot be correct. Amendments have been tabled in a democratic way. It is up to both sides...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This amendment goes right to the core of what people who have been endeavouring to put forward a counter balance to the debate on this Bill have been saying for a long time. The Minister has been saying the same thing. In other words, the civil partnership Bill is not marriage. The reason for that is that marriage as we understand it is protected within the Constitution. If we were to...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is getting late and people are becoming tired. However, I must admit that some terribly mixed messages are coming across in this debate at present. Senator Walsh made a comment on an administrative issue which he understood to have been raised by the Minister. That was where the box was ticked. The matter in question had nothing to do with the overall debate. Regardless of whether the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On the Order of Business each morning-----