Results 1,241-1,260 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá áthas orm go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ag tarlú. Is trua nach raibh sí ann sula raibh an fógra i rith an olltoghcháin. Ar shlí, tá seans againn fós aitheantas a thabhairt do thábhacht Sheanad Éireann agus tá súil agam go gcabhróidh an Bille os ár gcomhair díospóireacht cheart a thosnú i...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Heads of Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013: Public Hearings (17 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It would have been helpful if the Minister could have remained to answer some questions on the contribution he made. Clarity is what we have all been focused on in this debate in recent times. The hearings are about the heads of the Bill. I ask for clarification on three points which have been touched on. Is Dr. Holohan happy that the rights of the unborn child are given sufficient weight...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Heads of Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013: Public Hearings (17 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I asked Dr. Holohan for clarity on whether the rights of the unborn child were given sufficient weight in the heads of the Bill and if there was sufficient clarity for the medical profession in that regard. Questions were asked previously but I just want to get clarity on that point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Heads of Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013: Public Hearings (17 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Would it be helpful to expand on that in the heads, or in the legislation?

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire inniu. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil seans agam an clár cuimhneacháin a phlé. Is mór an chabhair é an cur i láthair a rinne an tAire anseo inniu. Tugann sé seans dúinn ár dtuairimí féin a nochtadh. I welcome the Minister and thank him for outlining the progress being made in respect of the decade of...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In the past ten years I have raised the case of Volunteer Thomas Kent, the proud Cork patriot who was executed during the War of Independence. Sadly, his remains are still lying in the grounds of Cork Prison. This is not appropriate and is a black mark on our national record. As we approach the centenary of the 1916 Rising, it would be timely and proper to do the right thing, even at this...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Last night in Dublin Castle the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, launched a new book entitled, Freedom Within the Heart, by Mark Mahon. It is on the life and times of the High King of Ireland Brian Ború. We will commemorate him next year. There are also plans to have a feature film made, starting next year. It would be good news for the film...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Protecting and Enhancing the Irish Music Industry: Discussion (11 Jun 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Ní bheadh sé ceart mórán a rá. It would not be right for me to say too much because, as members know, I have a connection with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. However, I join in welcoming the representatives here and I was delighted to have a chat with Mr. Danny McCarthy earlier today. I admire his passion and I certainly admire anybody who takes a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Protecting and Enhancing the Irish Music Industry: Discussion (11 Jun 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: An unemployed folk singer. To be fair, what we want to do is to hear the views of people who face challenges at this time. Based on what Mr. McCarthy has said, there are significant challenges facing us. I would like to make a quick point regarding my experience of local and community radio. I have good experience in this area and these stations seem to have an ear to the ground and to...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second Senator Cullinane's motion on the amendment to the Order of Business. We should not be so docile about the issue. Even if fingers were pointed at us accusing us of being only interested in our own positions, I still think that the methodology for the abolition of the Seanad is not correct. First, it was dropped like a bombshell and without consultation in the middle of a general...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Surely it should have been necessary to publish a White or Green Paper that set out the various pros and cons, have a debate and then allow the Government to make a decision. Let us consider the debate that has taken place in the media on the matter and the suggestion not to give each Senator an opportunity to make a contribution. The suggestion is virtually anti-democratic and is...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We are approaching the precipice on this issue. If we go over the precipice then politics and democracy will suffer.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, to the House. I hope he has happy memories of the time he was with us here.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I recall when the Minister of State sat on this side of the House. He was particularly successful in holding the Government to account in those days and always researched his contributions exceptionally well. For those of us on the other side of the House, we always felt what he had to say was worthwhile, meaningful and responsible, and ensured that what we were doing for the citizens was...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: What was happening in Dáil Éireann at exactly the same time? Why pick Seanad Éireann as an example when referring to institutions that failed to do their jobs? In fact, we did our job. On several occasions, I spoke from the Government benches on various issues in a way that would have seemed anti-Government. I adopted an independent line on many economic issues at that...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We do not often expect to be successful in our attempts to have amendments on some issues accepted. It is often the case, where a Government has a huge majority, that we go through a ritual not expecting any major change at the end of the day. One of the reasons for this is the Whips system. I have been listening to the debate on the abolition of the Seanad, in respect of which I have...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is important to acknowledge that the train has only barely left the station on this one. Already, there is some light for Senators and what they stand for at the end of the tunnel, even if it is dim. I have been surprised and delighted at the number of people who during the past few weeks have initiated discussion with me on the proposed referendum. It is clear that when people realise...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Unlike the Dáil, this House is not all about personalities and soundbites. This Seanad is charged with holding Ministers to account in respect of their actions. Ministers do not want to be scrutinised in this way and they would prefer if it did not happen in the future. However, this will not help democracy and it will not be fair to the people. As a result of what is proposed in the...

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Second Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator White has done this House a service. She has a distinguished and prolific career in responding to important issues in society. She does this through exceptionally comprehensive reports as well as Private Members' Bills. The reports she has produced over the years have often been the basis for informed debate. They are timeless and will be used as reference documents into the...

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Second Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We were prisoners of that attitude. Now that has changed and it is important to underpin, consolidate and support the family unit. That is what this Bill is all about. We accept there may be technical aspects that must be considered, which is understandable. It is not a matter of Senator White or anyone else wanting all the kudos for at least responding to a necessity. It is important...