Results 81-100 of 194 for speaker:Don Lydon

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (9 Feb 2005)

Don Lydon: It is worth reminding ourselves that, from its very modest beginnings in 1974, the Government's official development co-operation programme last year spent €475 million and we will spend upwards of €1.8 billion on development assistance between 2005 and 2007. This will place us among the world's most generous donor countries. Responsibility for foreign policy rests with the Minister for...

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Don Lydon: This debate revolves around the family. A family is a primary social group consisting of a man and a woman living together in a long-term commitment formalised by marriage. The primary definition is usually extended to include children and then on to any group of people related by blood, heterosexual marriage or adoption. Even from a strictly evolutionary point of view, nature itself knows of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

Don Lydon: Last night we had a constructive debate on an important issue. Senator Norris spent two years preparing a Bill, with 30 years experience going into that preparation, but was given a very short time to present his case. It would have been to all our benefit if he had been able to speak for longer, to use statistics and quotations and to tell us what it is like to experience discrimination. It...

Seanad: Mental Health Commission Annual Report 2003: Statements. (17 Feb 2005)

Don Lydon: Regarding Senator Feighan's comments about the Tánaiste, her statements have an adamantine veracity about them and her integrity is unassailable. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He is a caring man and will take some of the remarks made this morning in the spirit intended because they are aimed at helping a vulnerable sector of our population. In 1984, the Planning for the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Don Lydon: Following the visit by President Bush to Europe this week, I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the defence implications of the new Europe, its alliance with NATO and so on. I have my own views on this while others have different views, but it would be timely to have this debate before we discuss the new constitution. I would like to comment on the ongoing IRA activity, which we all...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Don Lydon: Absolutely.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2005)

Don Lydon: Killing a child.

Seanad: Expressions of Sympathy on the Death of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II: Motion. (12 Apr 2005)

Don Lydon: I was attending the 112th Interparliamentary Union assembly in Manila when I learnt of the Pope's death. When PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened the assembly attended by Deputies and Senators of all religions and none from 145 countries, and from dictatorships, principalities, monarchies, socialist and communist countries, all as one stood as a mark of respect to this man. The long...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Don Lydon: I support the calls made for the discussion of the report of the Morris tribunal. When the debate takes place, we might widen it to consider the cavalier fashion in which some tribunals treat witnesses and over-ride their constitutional rights, as well as the aggressive manner in which the tribunals appeal to the Supreme Court, High Court decisions which go against them. That does a grave...

Seanad: Sea Pollution (Hazardous Substances) (Compensation) Bill 2000: Second Stage. (10 May 2005)

Don Lydon: I am especially interested in the Bill as I come from Ireland's premier fishing port, which happens to lie within the Minister of State's constituency. Pollution at sea is a matter of great importance to those of us who, like Senator Dooley, come from counties with substantial coasts. The Bill is an example of the technical legislation which drifts through the Houses occasionally without...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Don Lydon: We should have a debate on Iraq in response to the news we hear daily of the car bombs and suicide bombings there. Senator Norris recently called for such a debate. We may not be able to do much about the situation but at least we could offer our support to these beleaguered people. It is appalling that an organisation which is devoted to the protection of human life and to helping pregnant...

Seanad: Constitution for Europe: Statements. (18 May 2005)

Don Lydon: They are not Catholics. They are not members of the church.

Seanad: Constitution for Europe: Statements. (18 May 2005)

Don Lydon: I believe that if this constitutional treaty were called by another name, such as the EU Treaty or the Treaty of Paris or Dublin, it would not generate the same degree of negative comment. The very word "constitution" conjures up images of a superstate, a supranational parliament, and even of an empire, yet the process of drawing up this treaty was more participative, deliberative, open and...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Don Lydon: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am aware of his commitment to foreign aid and much will be needed in this situation. We face a sad situation in Iraq. At the time of the invasion, Senators Norris and O'Rourke and I spoke against it, saying the war was both immoral and illegal. I said that not because I did not believe in the bringing down of Saddam Hussein, who had visited so...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Don Lydon: We do not know how to disengage. The troops could be there for years only to suddenly pull out, leaving the country in a civil war situation. War, except in very limited circumstances, does not work, particularly when a people do not want a foreign army in their country. We could have ousted Saddam Hussein another way and left the Iraqi people to form their own destiny. I hope they will do so...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Don Lydon: I beg your pardon.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2005)

Don Lydon: I ask the Leader to consider having a debate on the EU budget. There is no rush because, as I understand it, the auditors have refused to sign off on the accounts for the last seven or eight years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2005)

Don Lydon: While it is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, the Leader might invite one of our own auditors to the House to explain this. It is a very serious matter. If any other organisation or company——

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2005)

Don Lydon: The Chair does not think it has been signed off on.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2005)

Don Lydon: I will leave it at that.