Results 1,441-1,460 of 2,412 for speaker:Niall Ó Donnghaile

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I will be brief because I know that the Minister will want to come in and deal with many of the points that have been raised. I am somewhat torn over these sections because I have a great deal of sympathy and solidarity for what Senator Higgins has outlined but I am also very conscious of the live implications of Brexit and the necessity to get this legislation through. I wish we were...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Today is a positive, welcome and good day for us. The vaccine has arrived and roll-out has begun in Ireland. When one thinks of where we were three or six months ago and considers what people have endured and suffered over the course of the pandemic, even the fact that we are able to say that is really uplifting. We did say that we should never lose hope and this morning, in the Royal...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I will not prolong the discussion any longer than is necessary. I agree with a lot of what Senators Bacik and Wall have said on the Government amendment. As the Minister of State will know, the overarching themes and issues involved were debated on Committee Stage. We had our own amendment which, unfortunately, did not make the cut in the end...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Northern Ireland Economy: Discussion (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: That is handy. I thank my fellow "Nordies" for their assistance. I will also be brief and will just make a couple of points and observations. The primary point is to welcome this discussion at the committee because it gives it the authority and wherewithal that it needs. That is warranted because of the live and numerous discussions that are taking place on this issue all around us and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Northern Ireland Economy: Discussion (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Perfect. I appreciate that.

Seanad: Deportation Moratorium (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (9 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I welcome the Minister and congratulate her on her recent personal news. I am sure the Minister will concede that it is very unusual for us to debate an amendment to legislation, especially such a significant and substantial amendment, on Second Stage. I do not question the Minister's personal bona fides on this issue for one second. However, like other colleagues I think that engaging...

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I begin by welcoming the Minister of State. Senator Bacik made an important point. Having a facility like this is important. I know that concerns have been raised with the Minister this morning and previously in the Dáil. Inasmuch as having a facility and resource is welcome and a step forward, we must be careful that we do not think for one second that it absolves the Prison Service...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Mar dhuine as Contae an Dúin, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le hiománaithe Chontae Aontroma as an bhua s'acu ar an Domhnach. I wish to begin by congratulating and commending the County Antrim senior hurlers for their Joe McDonagh Cup win at Croke Park on Sunday. There is a real burgeoning resurgence in hurling in the county and while it is not confined to Belfast...

Seanad: Commencement of Irish Sign Language Act 2017: Statements (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Nelson Mandela said: If you talk to a man in a language he understands that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language that goes to his heart. That is a very important sentiment as we reflect on the passage of the legislation. I led the Sinn Féin team on the Act in the last Oireachtas, and colleagues have rightfully acknowledged the Cathaoirleach's leading role in that...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (16 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I thank Mr. Russell. It is good to see him again, even if it is just virtually on this occasion. I look forward to seeing him at our next plenary, wherever that might be. I will make a couple of points and then I will ask a question. It is heartening and uplifting to engage with someone who is a Cabinet secretary with responsibility for constitutional affairs. My experience in this...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (16 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I join in the words of welcome expressed for Congressman Neal and congratulate him on his re-election as Chairman of the US Congressional Committee on Ways and Means. I thank him for all the hard work that he has done over many decades and for his efforts to assist building peace and prosperity in Ireland. I welcome the remarks that he made during an online discussion on Ireland's future....

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Business of Special Committee (16 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: What is the date of our next meeting?

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Business of Special Committee (16 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: That will do.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Dec 2020)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I echo the words of well wishes for Christmas and the new year. I did not wish to bring in a sombre tone but while we reflect upon what a year it has been, unfortunately, we are still in this year and it remains a very worrying and unsure period for people, not least heading into the Christmas break. I wish to use the platform afforded to me here this morning to encourage people to remain...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jan 2021)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus an gCeannaire fosta. I remember when I came here first in 2016 I would very often advocate for the Government to prepare for constitutional change. Many of the responses were that it was not the time, asking why I was raising this and saying that people were not talking about it and that there was no need for this. The onset of Brexit and...

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (26 Jan 2021)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Tréaslaím leis an méid a bhí le rá ag an Seanadóir Clifford-Lee agus Conway i dtaca le straitéis chumarsáide trí mheán na Gaeilge agus trí mheán Braille chomh maith. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and welcome her to the House for this very important debate and...

Seanad: Report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation: Statements (Resumed) (26 Jan 2021)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Like other Senators, I am very conscious of the symbolism and significance of having Senator Boyhan in the Chair for this debate. The last few weeks have been extremely difficult for survivors and their families. The publication of the report of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes has reopened many difficult memories and caused enormous upset and re-traumatisation....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2021)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Gabhaim beannachtaí na féile Bríde do na Comhaltaí go léir. Mar atá ráite ag comhghleacaithe cheana féin, seo lá speisialta agus ceiliúradh speisialta. Anois go bhfuil an t-earrach bainte amach againn, is cúis dúinn píosa dóchais a bheith againn agus muid ag dul ar aghaidh i 2021. I want to move an amendment to the Order...

Seanad: Vacancy in Seanad Membership: Motion (1 Feb 2021)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I move: That the Clerk of Seanad Éireann do send to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage notice of a vacancy in the membership of Seanad Éireann occasioned by the resignation of Senator Elisha McCallion, a member elected from the Oireachtas Sub-Panel of the Industrial and Commercial Panel at the General Election for Seanad Éireann, April, 2020.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Feb 2021)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus gabhaim buíochas leis as a bheith linn don díospóireacht inniu. I express my concern and disappointment, shared by colleagues, at the fine imposed on the State as a result of the delay in the passage of the Bill. Without over-egging the pudding, that is an important point to put on record once again, for all the reasons...