Results 3,721-3,740 of 6,030 for speaker:Brendan Ryan

Seanad: Third Level Education: Statements. (8 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: As my colleague, Senator Tuffy, obviously has a lot more to say on this subject than me, I am now embarrassed that I am the cause of her having to finish her speech somewhat earlier. I apologise to her, but I had not known she would finish on such an interesting issue. However, I want to highlight a few issues, which I will do in almost bullet point fashion due to the limited time. Without a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: A great woman was buried yesterday — Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King. She should be an object lesson for many on this island, in that her response to the brutal murder of her husband was to redouble her commitment to non-violence. Many people could do worse than to follow her example. She was an extraordinary and inspiring woman. Senator Finucane is correct. Almost to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: ——NRA reports on breaches of speed limits by heavy goods vehicles. This is a serious matter. The NRA reported that 100% of single-decker buses on motorways and 90% of trucks and rigid vehicles were in breach of the speed limit. The average speed of heavy goods vehicles was 53 mph in the second last survey, even though they are not supposed to be able to travel faster than 55 mph because...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: That is what I want to know. When are we going to get some?

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: At least I admit to having one, whereas Senator Ross pretends he is not ideological.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (8 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: Tá sé de phribhléid agam cúpla focal a rá in ómós do Ruairí Brugha. Ní dóigh liom go raibh comhrá aige as Béarla ariamh, agus bhí aithne agam air le beagnach 30 bliain. Tá na focail atá ráite ag gach éinne a labhair anseo go léir fíor ó thaobh an tsaoil pholaitiúla agus stair agus thodhchaí na tíre de. Caithfear a rá chomh maith, áfach, gur duine uasal, séimh,...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (2 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: Is iontach agus maith an rud é go raibh an tAire Gnóthaí Eachtracha anseo agus go labhair sé go cuimsitheach agus go cruinn faoin todhchaí mar a thuigeann an Rialtas é. I always make the point in debates on this topic that I first sat in this House from 1981 to 1993, until I had an unfortunate misunderstanding with the electorate. Lest any other Member says it first, perhaps they saw...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (2 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I believe in due process and I do not intend to move out of the hotel. I am reliably informed that a senior member of the Government, who has a security position, also stays in the hotel. Life gets complicated. A satisfactory explanation has not yet been provided regarding the Stormontgate-Donaldson affair. I am old enough to know that not everything can be said about an incident at the one...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (2 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: Not so instructive.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I never argue with the Cathaoirleach's rulings and I will not do so on this occasion. However, I am not sure the President is above all criticism. There are the person, the office and the personal opinions of the President. I have not read the speech so I will not go into it. If we are to debate the 1916 Rising and its significance, we should not debate something which happened 90 years ago...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I have no problems with the ruling class in this country enjoying itself.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I know——

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: As has often been said here, I know what class I am in. The problem with Fianna Fáil is that it cannot make up its mind.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: It is a bit rich to suggest that lifestyle should be sustained by the notion that ordinary working families should put up with a wage increase which is less than the rate of inflation. That is nonsense.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I had not intended to participate in this debate because our party's spokesperson on the issue, not only in the Seanad but nationally, contributed and, as always, her delivery was sensible, rational and far from partisan. That is not to say my contribution will be any different. There are a few points to be made, however, in the light of the controversy about the early childhood supplement...

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: Why can new legislation not be introduced here?

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: We have a capacity for coherence on this side of the House that seems to be increasingly lacking on the other side. Major shareholders in NTR have been identified in tribunals as being very close to Fianna Fáil and one cannot avoid the conclusion that part of this cosy deal is to do with Fianna Fáil looking after its own.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Brendan Ryan: We are all literate and we can read the tribunal reports. We can draw conclusions quite clearly but we will, hopefully, discuss that issue later. I support my colleagues in their call for a debate on partnership and a number of issues that people do not want to talk about badly need to be discussed. For example, there has been a great deal of talk about the fact that unemployment levels have...