Results 301-320 of 446 for speaker:Niall Blaney

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Working Group on Unification Referendums: Discussion (30 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I thank Dr. Renwick for his report. It is a very interesting perspective. We need many perspectives in this conversation. We have had some but not enough and this input is very welcome. The few scenarios thrown about are interesting with regard to planning before a referendum, having a referendum and planning for afterwards. I would like to see more beef in the bowl on this and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Working Group on Unification Referendums: Discussion (30 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I concur with Dr. Tannam's sentiments. I also concur with Colum Eastwood's point about the Irish Government having a plan. It must not be forgotten that all political sides and parties need to put their shoulder to the wheel, particularly in Northern Ireland. We are talking about preparing. The English Government is or is not going to prepare the ground and everything is going to be...

Seanad: Matters Arising from the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the Minister to the House to discuss this important issue. At the outset, I wish to put one matter on the record, which is the language we use about some of the issues that have arisen since Brexit took place. I very much take issue with a border in the Irish Sea. We should knock that idea at every turn because there is no border in the Irish Sea. Issues arise as to how we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee (23 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: Deputy Brendan Smith is running a little late.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The EU and Irish Unity - Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I want to say first that my opinions in respect of the report are personal. Coming from a very republican background, I, as much as anyone in this line, want to see unity of our people and our country, but I am also conscious of how where we have got to was achieved. With all due respect to the two witnesses, how it was achieved has been missed with regard to their report. For me, it does...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: Is Senator Crowe following me? There was an arrangement between myself and Senators Crowe and Murphy to share time.

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: We are sharing time. So Senator Crowe will take four minutes, I will take five minutes and Senator Murphy will take three minutes with the agreement of the House. The time still amounts to 12 minutes.

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: Can we restart the clock? More than one minute has gone already.

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: The Minister is very welcome to the House. We have to acknowledge she has had a baptism of fire in the short time she has been in her Department. We would like to see more of her ability, which we know she has, when we get over this pandemic and she gets to it, and expect to see great measures in tourism. Tourism has evolved in recent years. I come from Donegal, in the north west, where we...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber to discuss the NDP I am delighted to see him here. He has had very trying times over the past nine months since taking office and it has certainly been a baptism of fire. That fire is far from being put out. Recovery and getting enough vaccines into the country is now to the fore but the consideration of where we go for the next 20 years is vital....

Seanad: Private Rental Sector: Motion (8 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I thank my colleagues across the floor for raising the important issue of housing. I feel that the body of the motion goes to show just how flawed their policy is. There seems to be a paralysis relating to rent when the difficulties in the housing sector are much wider than that. The motion also goes to show the differences in policy. From Fianna Fáil's perspective, the people of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The EU and Irish Unity - Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change in Ireland: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Niall Blaney: I welcome Professor Harvey and Mr. Bassett. We are kicking off what will be a lively debate. It is good to get a perspective on this and kick off the conversation. I note that there is correspondence from Ian Paisley that will probably be dealt with later. I listened intently to the presentation by the witnesses. I would like to get their perspective on a few matters. For me, the Good...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The EU and Irish Unity - Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change in Ireland: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Niall Blaney: Before we move on, Chairman, I asked a question about engagement with unionist politicians. I was disconnected for a bit so I am not sure if it has been answered. I asked what engagement, if any, had taken place with the unionist politicians on the report.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The EU and Irish Unity - Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change in Ireland: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Niall Blaney: Yes. Was there engagement with unionist politicians on the report or any feedback from them on it?

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Niall Blaney: I thank the Minister of State for making herself available at such short notice. It was just last Friday morning that I rose here to ask for such a debate. I am glad it is happening so soon. It is only right as it is a relevant topic that should have the attention of most of us. There has been much good discussion today. I will first discuss our schools. The younger cohort in primary...

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

Niall Blaney: I wish to raise the issue of mental health.During the whole debate about Covid-19 over most of the last year, there has been a great deal of acknowledgement of the impact Covid would have and is having on our nation's mental health. Many speakers in this House, the Lower House and the Government have alluded to it. It is time we started having a proper wider debate on mental health needs...

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Housing, Local Government and Heritage): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is one of many appearances he has made in his short tenure at the Department. I acknowledge his willingness and ability to engage with us as parliamentarians and to listen to the issues of the day. The results and output from the Department in the Minister's short tenure augur well. I listened to Senator Boyhan address difficulties with voids in his...

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 Blaney: I thank Mr. Neal for addressing the committee today. His words are heartening, as is the relationship he has built up over the years with our Cathaloirleach, Senator Daly. I have listened closely to Mr. Neal's remarks on the Good Friday Agreement. As a Donegal man who lives north of the North, in a county that is completely cut off by the Border in good times and bad, I am acutely aware...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2020: Second Stage (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I welcome the majority of the contents of the Bill and the great opportunities that are being afforded across Departments in the year to come. Senator McDowell has raised one of the issues I was going to talk about, that is, the housing issue, and I certainly agree with some of what he said, particularly the fact that the age demographic of...

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

Niall Blaney: I welcome the report. However, there is something that strikes me about the language used that is really important. The Good Friday Agreement was brought about through dialogue and cross-party agreement. In light of that fact, authors of reports like this - and I do not wish to sound like a dictator - should be careful in their use of language. Given that we do not have an agreement on a...