Results 3,101-3,120 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Inland Fisheries (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He has answered two of my three questions. Can he engage with his Department to get the Loughs Agency to discuss the concerns of the local fishermen? I am not sure if that is possible but it is vital and the fishermen feel the same way. I would like to see some consultation initiated so that we could listen to the concerns of the fishermen...

Seanad: Inland Fisheries (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I raise this matter on behalf of draft net fishermen who fish the River Foyle in County Donegal. Licences in the draft net fishery on the tidal River Foyle are applied for annually and are, therefore, not owned or traded. I understand from anecdotal evidence that there are approximately 50 draft net fishermen who have fished the River Foyle on the upper stretch alone. Approximately 40 of...

Seanad: Agriculture Sector: Statements (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This is the second week in a row we are having a discussion on agriculture. I pay tribute to the Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith, for his efforts in the past week in particular, and this week, when he will represent Irish farmers abroad and try to get a better deal for Irish farmers and fight for their future. We should all acknowledge the work that is being done. I want to examine the issue...

Seanad: Agriculture Sector: Statements (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I did not say that.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I add my words to those of previous Senators who referred to the current banking situation and the pressure that is bringing to bear on smaller businesses. I received two phone calls this morning from two small businesses in west Donegal, one in the tourism sector and one in the construction-manufacturing sector. They have been in business for a long number of years and the banks are...

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I was listening to some of the debate on farming and agriculture, a very important industry in Ireland, especially in rural Ireland among farm families. I come from a very small farm in a rural part of County Donegal. My father was a sheep farmer and I know all too well the importance of farming to rural Ireland. I know, in particular, the significant benefits that have derived to farm...

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Fine Gael Party proposed cutting expenditure by €4 billion. Did it propose to withdraw medical cards from everyone? Would no new schools have been built next year?

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Fine Gael Party Senators should not speak out of both sides of their mouths.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: They must agree that the Minister examined this issue in a proactive manner.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is easy to cry foul when one is not in office. From where exactly will the spending cuts of €4 billion advocated by Fine Gael come? Would they affect young children, hospital beds, farmers in west Donegal or west Cork or housing schemes?

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We have to be realistic.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I am trying to do so but Opposition Senators are interrupting me. Senator Carty, the first Senator on the Government side to speak, referred to 1995, the year I did my leaving certificate and also the year a Fine Gael Minister for Agriculture refused 12,000 farmers who were——

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I have obviously touched a nerve.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: While I apologise for touching a nerve, reality sometimes forces us to think of important issues, including farming. We should reflect on the past if we are to look to the future. As Senator O'Donovan indicated, substantial funding has been made available to agriculture since 2002. In 1995, when this funding was not available, schemes were cut and many applicants, including young people,...

Seanad: Fishing Industry: Statements (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This debate on the fishing industry is timely. Fisheries are one of the few natural resources available to this island. Generations of families have earned a livelihood from fishing at sea. County Donegal, with its extensive coastline, is not an exception and has many fine fishing ports, notably at Killybegs and Burtonport. Fishing activity also takes place at Arranmore Island,...

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Tá lúcháir orm go bhfuil an tAire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta anseo linn chun plé a dhéanamh ar fhorbairt na tuaithe. Tá a lán oibre déanta san iarthar le roinnt blianta anuas chun ceantair iargúlta na tíre a fhorbairt go dtí caighdéan atá inghlactha in áiteanna eile sa tír seo agus ar fud an domhain. Tá go leor den obair sin, go háirithe an obair atá déanta...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The strategy also provides for sectoral plans prepared by six Departments during 2006, the Citizens Information Act 2007 and a multiannual disability support investment programme worth €900 million between 2006 and 2009. The Disability Act 2005 is one of the central elements of the national disability strategy, which sets out a range of statutory entitlements designed to underscore disabled...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to make a number of points on the provisions for special educational needs. Some 19,000 people in our schools are working solely with children with special needs and there are 10,000 special needs assistants compared with 300 in 1997. There are——

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: These are the figures from when the Senator's party was in power.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I was not here in those days, although I went to school close to that time and I remember the difference.