Results 321-340 of 446 for speaker:Niall Blaney

Seanad: Technological Universities Agenda: Statements (2 Dec 2020)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the Minister and the Minister of State to the House. Following the recent election, before the Government was formed, many had their say on higher education and whether there was a need for a senior and junior Minister for the sector. Some said it was not necessary, but tonight's debate shows why it is. As Senator Byrne noted, the regional technical colleges did a great job in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Niall Blaney: I concur with Senator Craughwell's comments about our councillors across this country, no matter from which party they come. I am a former councillor and am all too aware of the work they do. A councillor is as important as a Senator, no matter what jurisdiction he or she is in. A lot of the money available as a result of policies adopted in these Houses goes to local authorities, and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Niall Blaney: There was also the issue of the gambling regulator.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Establishment of an Independent Public Inquiry into the Murder of Pat Finucane: Motion (26 Nov 2020)

Niall Blaney: I thank Mr. John Finucane for his presentation and I thank him and his family for the fight they have fought for the past 31 years. I am sure that it was a lonely road to travel. I have memories of John's dad as a young lad growing up in north Donegal. I remember the stature of the man. Every time I saw him on the television, I could see he was a man with great presence. He was also,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Cross-Border Further and Higher Education Sectors: Discussion (19 Nov 2020)

Niall Blaney: I thank the committee for taking this matter at short notice. I also thank the witnesses for making themselves available at such short notice. It is great to have both of them available to us to outline the respective collaborations of Donegal Education and Training Board, ETB, and LYIT under the auspices of the north-west region and to hear an outline of their work since 2018. It must be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Cross-Border Further and Higher Education Sectors: Discussion (19 Nov 2020)

Niall Blaney: I thank the Chairman for arranging this session at short notice. It has given Mr. Hannigan and Professor Ó Néill a great opportunity to present so eloquently and so truthfully as they have done. It is also a good opportunity to showcase what is happening in the north west. It has been referred to by a number of speakers as a region that has been neglected so much over recent...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach (12 Nov 2020)

Niall Blaney: I am delighted to have the shared island officials before the committee today. This is a wonderful time given the opportunities this new shared island could afford us. It is an exciting time in politics. I believe it leaves many people across the island with an air of anticipation. It is also a worrying time during the pandemic. My thanks to Ms O'Donoghue for the presentation. The...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Oct 2020)

Niall Blaney: I am sure the House, like me, has great memories of Italia 90 and that great Donegal man, Packie Bonner, a great ambassador for football in his day and still. The reason I say this today is that Packie was once a director of football in the FAI. He and one of his colleagues and many more staff were turfed out of that organisation at a time when a member of his departmental team was raising...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2020)

Niall Blaney: I second the proposal of Senator Gallagher about the helpline for those businesses caught up in level 4. As a former Member of the Lower House, I was once appointed co-chair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly at a time when unionist participation had never taken place in its 20-year history. I spent the next 21 months alongside former Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, Mr....

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Niall Blaney: I thank the Minister for joining us and giving us a most informative and open statement. With her collective portfolios she is going to play a vital role in the development of rural Ireland. A couple of the issues I was going to raise today have already been raised. Senators McGreehan and Ó Donnghaile talked about the cross-Border element of tourism. It is a vital element which we...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jul 2020)

Niall Blaney: Much has been said in the past, particularly during lockdown, about front-line workers and I second the proposal by Senator Murphy. We have all seen how hard they have worked. When we think of front-line workers, we think of those who are at the front line in the health services. Without wishing to take away anything from those workers, I would like to acknowledge today the work of our...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2020)

Niall Blaney: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I second the motion of Senator Byrne in respect of the universities panel. The way in which people have obtained degrees in this country over the years has evolved and it is time that we also evolve the legislation so that everybody who has a degree has a say in the make-up of this House. There is discrimination happening on this issue where...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (29 Jun 2020)

Niall Blaney: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind words earlier in reference to my late father and his many visits to the wee thatched cottage in Rosnakill, County Donegal. Our family goes back a century or thereabouts, which is a fair length of time. I am sure the Cathaoirleach will serve his position extremely well and proudly. It is a humbling day for him and a proud day for his father and...

Irish Economy: Motion (18 Feb 2009)

Niall Blaney: I thank my colleagues for sharing time. I very much welcome the opportunity to speak on the Private Members' motion and to support the Fianna Fáil amendment. With regard to the pension levy, this is certainly no easy time for any family. My colleague has depicted the global scene, including the European scene, and it is evident from this that our difficulties are no different from those of...

Irish Economy: Motion (18 Feb 2009)

Niall Blaney: If the names are released and reckless statements are made in the House, the ten individuals who should be subject to the law will not be prosecuted as they should be. I hope, for the sake of the country, that the names are not released because the other side of the House will not help matters.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (8 Nov 2007)

Niall Blaney: Question 146: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will expedite an application by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal for a new eight classroom school. [27907/07]

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (31 Oct 2007)

Niall Blaney: Question 303: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in relation to the loss of jobs (details supplied) in County Donegal; the measures that have been or will be put in place for those that are laid off in relation to redundancy plans or training opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25979/07]

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (31 Oct 2007)

Niall Blaney: Question 441: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied); if she will have it expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26394/07]

Written Answers — Home Help Service: Home Help Service (24 Apr 2007)

Niall Blaney: Question 341: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to have home help hours increased from three hours per week to the original five hours per week for persons (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14289/07]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Apr 2007)

Niall Blaney: Question 814: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will expedite an application for an extension to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14278/07]