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

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements. (4 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I join other Senators in welcoming the Minister of State to the House. One can only imagine the suffering of the Iraqi people at present and the extent of the fear and uncertainty and sense of helplessness which must exist. It is impossible for any person so far removed from the scene to make any proper or balanced judgment as to what may be happening there. We are dependent on where we are...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Looking through this legislation, it strikes me that we are focusing on areas which have required attention for a long time. Most people welcome diversity because television in a global sense has become commonplace and uniform. We have been lucky that the development of public broadcasting in Ireland has been in the hands of RTE over the years. We can make our views known because it is a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I too support Senator Lydon's call for a debate on stem cell research. We have had particularly subdued exposure to this area. Debate on the issue need not be fractious but could underline the concept that citizens are entitled to be made aware of anything that fundamentally concerns them. The slightest possibility that human life would be destroyed to help other human life raises questions...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. - Visit of Hungarian Delegation. (5 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Before calling on Senator Brennan, I wish to extend an official welcome to the House to the delegation from the Hungarian Parliament led by its Deputy Speaker, Dr. Ferenc Welker.

Seanad: Insurance Industry Reform: Motion. (5 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Tánaiste's contribution on the issue of insurance legislation was like a breath of fresh air. Most people, including everyone in this Chamber, realise we have a serious problem. It is like a blight on innovation, industry and community activity. What struck me about the Tánaiste's contribution and her awareness of what is happening in the legislative area is how comprehensive and...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have always had an interest in broadcasting. I can look back to the early years of community radio, which was the forerunner of local radio, at that time sponsored by RTE. I was also involved in the foundation of Tipperary Mid West Radio. I was a founding director of Dublin 98FM, and I have served on a liaison committee with RTE for over 30 years. Senators will recall that I made a very...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the call for a debate on embryonic stem cell research. I was fortunate to have heard the Tánaiste this morning and I was impressed by her presentation. I thought she was honest and fair and she made it clear there were ethical issues which she would like to debate. As Senator Dardis said, she has offered to come before the appropriate Oireachtas committee. It would be helpful if...

Seanad: Report of Tourism Policy Review Group: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit – perhaps I should say "Céad míle fáilte", as we are discussing tourism. I warmly welcome the report of the review group, particularly the subtitle, "An agenda for action", which is very appropriate. The last thing we need is another report to join a plethora of earlier reports already in a cul-de-sac. However, this one is exceptionally impressive,...

Seanad: Report of Tourism Policy Review Group: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Senator should conclude.

Seanad: Stem Cell Research: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: As one who requested this debate, I welcome the Minister to the House. I heard her contribution on "The Marian Finucane Show" which, as I said that morning in the House, was honest, transparent and generous in her acceptance of the many ethical issues which have still not been resolved. It was a good presentation. The debate in this House is a benefit to democracy because there are two...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I only heard the end of the interview to which Senator O'Toole referred but I was shocked by it. It bore no resemblance to the experience I have had in the Oireachtas. I have raised the question of the NUJ on a number of occasions and challenged it out of admiration for the profession. On one occasion, the NUJ wrote a letter back to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges about me which was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Will the Leader arrange a debate on House decorum? One point struck me forcefully today, but I had not intended mentioning it in case it created further uproar. My belief is that we should respect all religions in the House and be careful not to denigrate the beliefs or practices of any individual religion. Baptism was mentioned earlier. If we spoke in a similar manner about Jews or Muslims...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (26 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have been following this debate carefully. On both sides of the House there is a great feeling of pride in the tradition that exists in Ireland of helping less fortunate countries. In many ways that is the result of our history of deprivation. We always highlighted the aid we received, even if it was limited, and we appreciated it. It helped us to survive and gave us the opportunity to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I would like to support Senator Morrissey in his comments regarding the former Christian Brother, Mr. Farrell. I commend his compassion in so doing because we are living in an age where many members of religious orders feel they no longer have a voice. Everyone in this House accepts that the vast majority of the religious gave great service and have not done anything wrong. Mr. Farrell is now...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the call for a debate on Northern Ireland. It is very important to hold such a debate in a helpful and positive spirit. I discovered recently how closely we in the Republic are watched by politicians on all sides in the North of Ireland. We owe it to the architects of the Good Friday Agreement to be positive.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I appreciate that. To make a final point, I have always felt the Reverend Ian Paisley openly reflected the views of his own people. There are many young members of his party who could make an excellent contribution to this island. That is the spirit in which we should approach the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I am glad the report on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings is being published today. We have waited a long time for it and one can only imagine the suffering and grief of the families during the intervening period. The difficulty in not having a debate here is that a vacuum could develop which would be filled with supposition and conjecture. It is important for us to play a role in this regard....

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá fáilte roimh an Aire. In the main politicians can take the blame for the excesses which have happened in the media. They have viewed the media as the conduit to electoral success and, therefore, have abdicated their responsibility when opportunities arose to stand up to what was happening in the media over the past 40 or 50 years. I recall on one occasion the late President Childers...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: At the end of the day we have to take a stand because it is for the good of the media. I listened to "Tonight with Vincent Browne" the other night. I give Vincent Browne full marks because he did an excellent job. Considering that he is an element of the media, he tackled those who endeavoured to maintain the status quo, go softly softly or in some way ensure confusion would ensue from the...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is the same negative story all the time and if that diet is fed to people, that is what they expect. The Minister must maintain his courage on this issue. I listened to his speech this morning; it was balanced with no question of teaching the media a lesson. It recognised this is a matter of our being elements of the same community with an interest in its future. That is the reason for...