Results 1,101-1,120 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 Feb 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I thank the Minister for his presentation. It might be somewhat slack on detail but he sent many positive messages regarding the importance of local authorities. There are a number of words the Minister should consider. Identity is very important so perhaps the Minister would comment on it. Community is also important, and the Minister referred to it a number of times in his contribution....

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We are all aware that church-state relationships have not been good for some time past. People on both sides of the argument have felt hurt in this regard. Often, this comes down to individual families. I believe Senators will have noticed the feeling abroad that it is time to move on. If we do not move on when the opportunity arises, it may not come again in the near future. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On the closure of the Irish embassy in the Vatican, the intervention by a former Irish ambassador to the United States is exceptional by any standards. The incisive and supportive editorial in The Irish Times brings this issue very much centre stage. Mr. Seán Donlon was one of the foremost and most highly respected members of the diplomatic service. He served in the United States at a...

Seanad: Media Standards: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Feb 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: With the agreement of the House I will share time with Senator Daly.

Seanad: Media Standards: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Feb 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I welcome the Minister. I found his contribution though provoking. He made a great effort to bring balance into it. That is the experience we all have when talking about the media. On the one hand we see the great good which they do, because most organisations in this country, whether they are political or otherwise, need the oxygen of the media to get their...

Seanad: Standing Order 18: Motion (23 Feb 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I recall what the very well known rosary priest, Fr. Peyton, used to say, that the family who prays together stays together. I wonder if there is a message we can send to the Taoiseach, that the Seanad that reflects together may stay together after the next referendum. I compliment those responsible for what we are now discussing. It lifts my spirits that common sense and self-respect have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is generally agreed that a good decision has been made to hold a referendum, which had been requested by all sides in this House, as well as among the public. As public representatives, three options are available to Members. First, they can stay quiet, keep their heads down and let others take the flak. Second, they can oppose it and feed on the anger which evidently exists. However,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I thank the Leader for arranging for Senators to pay tribute to a late and much loved colleague, Mickey Doherty. This House has a good record in acknowledging and saluting former Members who have gone to their eternal rest. It is particularly important to do this, not only for us to pay tribute to them but also to indicate to their families and the wider community the respect we have for...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Deirtear go bhfuil thart ar 70 milliún Gaeil scaipthe ar fud na cruinne. Is ionann é sin agus a rá nach bhfuil náisiún na hÉireann ar an oileán seo amháin, tá sé in aon áit a mbailíonn na Gaeil le chéile ann. Tá ard-mheas tar éis teacht ar an tír seo toisc na Gaeil seo a bheith ag feidhmiú thar lear. Níl aon amhras ná go bhfuil siad tar éis cabhrú linn ó thaobh...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Yesterday, the House earned some kudos as a result of the united non-party concern and support expressed for our emigrants. This was in the context of Ministers travelling abroad for St. Patrick's Day. Some of the kudos may have been tarnished this morning. It seems each time we discuss jobs, it is like pressing a button and we go into the mode of name blaming and scapegoating straight away.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: If the thousands of young people queueing up to leave the country saw a replay of the debate this morning, would they consider our concern and support to be real? I believe their attitude could be summed up by: "A plague o' both your houses!" We have said many times that some issues should be set apart from political expediency and the issue of jobs should be one of these. There were...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There are 365 days of the year on each of which we can find reasons to be proud of our achievements as a nation. During the years we chose St. Patrick's Day as the focus for that pride. I was sad the other evening while I was listening to a programme on RTE on which there was a vox-pop. People were asked what St. Patrick's Day meant to them. With few exceptions, drink was mentioned by the...

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have found the debate illuminating and wish the public could hear more of it. One of the difficulties will be getting the message across to allow the people to make up their minds in a relatively short period. This morning I paid my household charge. As I wrote the cheque I thought of all the people who did not have the €100, who might only have €10 in their pockets. I accept this...

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We will not have much choice but to support the treaty and will be in hock to the European Union for a long time to come. From the first day we joined the European project our sovereignty has been diluted, although the extent to which it has been diluted has been overstated. What we have to do now is give hope to the people once again. If we do not and are not seen to be providing jobs and...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to the House. Nothing focuses the mind like having served on both sides of the House and what one had to say at any given time. I will not concentrate on what Government Members said when on this side of the House, rather I will concentrate on what I said when on the opposite side. Each Member of the House makes an effort to be reasoned, in...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I do not think it is acceptable that a bank can set down that a deposit of €2,500 will decide the individual's worth to the welfare of the banking system. It is a crude instrument, particularly when one considered that some of the dispossessed, who will suffer as a result of AIB policy, would have had jobs at the time the bank was bailed out and their taxes would have been used to keep the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We are living in unusual times. At present, the more one has the more concessions one is allowed, however, those with less will have no voice and will be sidelined and will suffer in loneliness. In view of what the State has done for the banks, it is time to stand up and with one voice leave them in no doubt that headquarters should reverse this unjust decision. The bank must be left in no...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This House has a very honourable tradition in the matter of promoting human rights. We have monitored and responded to human rights abuses and humanitarian crises throughout the world. I bring to the attention of the House a humanitarian issue nearer to home. The highly respected human rights champion, Monsignor Raymond Murray, has brought to our attention the plight of Ms Marian Price who...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In response to Senator Bacik's point, relations between Ireland and China, which have been enhanced in recent times, have huge potential for Ireland. During the years I have had the opportunity to visit China and see the improvements and progress made and the openness that is developing in its society. Many might not be aware that Ireland enjoys iconic status in the diplomatic folklore of...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We have had extensive debates on the household charge and it has featured intensively in the media for a long time. It might be well worth our while to have a discussion on why the campaign against the charge has gathered such momentum. It has taken us all by surprise. One of the reasons for it is the perceived anomalies and inequities in our taxation system. For instance, if somebody is...