Results 1,001-1,020 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Last week we agreed a comprehensive all-party motion regarding the medical staff held captive in Bahrain. Has the Government received any report on this case, which has become exceptionally urgent? I received a disturbing e-mail at the weekend listing the names of the 49 people held captive, who include some eminent physicians. I understand some of these people may be sentenced in the...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (15 Jun 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Fáiltím roimh an rún seo agus tá áthas orm go bhfuil sé ag tarlú chomh luath i saol an tSeanaid seo. Tugaim faoi ndeara nuair a thagaimid isteach gach maidin, cé nach mbíonn mórán ama againn ar an Ord Gnó, go mbíonn tuairimí ag teacht chun tosaigh an t-am ar fad agus gur féidir linn, mar Sheanadóirí, féachaint conas is féidir feabhas a chur ar obair an tSeanaid féin....

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Last night we had an interesting and informative debate on how the Seanad could be made more effective and more relevant to the general needs of the people, especially in the changing circumstances we are experiencing. It was a well-informed debate, drawing from the expertise and vision of many contributors. It was interesting that so many were offering to participate in the debate that it...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is not so long ago that two senior politicians in the State revealed serious abuses in the operation of the State apparatus. One was a member of the Fine Gael Party and the other was a member of the Labour Party. They came under immense pressure at the time to reveal their sources. They continued to resist the pressure and they argued that, first, they would not have access to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator Quinn's call for the institution of the hotline number, which might help to resolve some of our missing persons cases. While we have many high profile cases in respect of which we have publicity campaigns from time to time, unfortunately they tend to end in a cul-de-sac each time. There is nothing as heartbreaking as seeing flyers on walls and telephones in a bus or...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I commend Senator Eamonn Coghlan on the positive note he struck this morning. Indeed, a few more positive notes would not go astray here from time to time. There has always been cross-party consensus in this House on the Irish language. That was evident both when dealing with the Official Languages Act and the 20 year strategy. Unanimity was achieved in both cases. It was not very easy...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have no doubt that the same thing might be happening here under our noses. Why is that the case? It is because those who own the media are driving to that point to increase sales so the balance sheet will look healthier. It should not be deferred by a couple of months.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second the amendment to the Order of Business, proposed by Senator Leyden. The Sinn Féin Senator made a very telling point in his contribution this morning. To omit Sinn Féin from the democratic process and the exercise we had here yesterday with a very important visitor from Europe could send out the message that it is a negation of democracy. In many ways it also makes a mockery of...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: -----for the common good. If that were the ethos and ethic we were prepared to employ in this House, at least the people outside would not regard us as wasting time and money.

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Minister of State has been honest and transparent in laying out his stall. He is correct in pointing out the extent of the problem. As is evident from today's debate, there is no easy fix for this problem but I hope we can contribute towards the search for a way forward. I recall going to America in the late 1960s and the early 1970s and meeting members of the first generation of Irish...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Very often, in the midst of the big stories and debates, we miss out on some small stories that are generally stories of service, co-operation and compassion. I refer in particular to people who are at the end of the road in solving the problems brought about as a result of the collapse of the Celtic tiger. They are on the verge and we have debated that here on many occasions. I was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: If you do not mind me saying so, a Chathaoirligh, if you look at the clock and measure it against some of the other debates-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I would also say that my matter will not make the headlines like denying the Phoenix Park to the Pope but it may help the ordinary people who are at their wits' end. I always bow to the judgment of the Cathaoirleach and his instructions but these people should be given a voice here. I am only asking for a few minutes to give them that voice and if we are able to help those people and save...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá seans ann gur dea comhartha é go bhfuil an ghrian ag taitneamh. Seans go bhfuil Dia thar a bheith sásta linn toisc an obair atá déanta againn sa Seanad agus tá súil agam go mbeidh an scéal amhlaidh leis an bpobal. Tá sé fíor go bhfuil fuinneamh agus neart nua le tabhairt faoi deara sa Seanad seo. Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeannaire agus le gach éinne atá freagrach as sin....

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I can only assume the Minister's declaration yesterday indicates the county is now exceptionally law-abiding. Depending on where one comes from, one might assume the Minister is particularly happy with the progress of the hurling team this year. I am not sure of the reason. Irrespective of internal amalgamation in any county, such as amalgamation of the city and county councils, be it in...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I hope that, in the very early stages of the next session, we will be able to discuss this. I have raised on a number of occasions the 1916 commemoration, which is gradually approaching, and particularly the development of Moore Street. I would put my head on the block and go so far as to say that if we develop Moore Street in the manner suggested, we will not only have a reminder of the...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Where there is honest and open debate, it is often the case that illumination is provided by all those participating. Such has occurred in this debate. I welcome the announcement by the Leader that he intends to introduce a motion in September to broaden this discussion so that we might also take on board the State's culpability. I also welcome the fact that both sides of the House have...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: He was on the receiving end of abuse. In his missive, he states that the truth that will set us free is not words or deeds. It is when the soul that left a long time ago is nurtured back to its rightful place in a future republic, a true republic brought about by the people of Ireland, which will finally know the value of personal and collective responsibility and accountability. If we are...

Seanad: Family Home Bill 2011: Second Stage (27 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There is no more prevailing image in Irish history than that which depicts a family being evicted from its home. If one looks at any of the drawings and paintings relating to evictions in the past, one can see that people's suffering is amplified when there are children involved. In general, artists always depicted children as being confounded by what was happening to their homes and as...

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Go raibh maith agat a Leas-Chathaoirligh, agus fáiltím roimh an Aire. Tréaslaím leis as a bheith ceaptha mar Aire dos na healaíona sa tír. Chomh maith leis sin, tugaim faoi ndeara an méid oibre atá déanta aige go dtí seo. Is beag cúinne den tír seo nár thug sé cuairt air. Tá sé ag éisteacht, agus tá sé sin thar a bheith tábhachtach. Tá sé ag dul i gcomhairle leis na...