Results 361-380 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: If only one person speaks on behalf of the unborn or acts as an advocate, it at least goes onto the record of the House. What is important is that Members do not prevent someone from putting both sides, because that is the way the Constitution is at present.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There is a serious possibility that Members are ignoring the Constitution. I acknowledge that all the legal advice will have been given and am certain the Attorney General has examined the matter but Members should consider for a moment that if it is in conflict with what is in the Constitution, there then could be a challenge. As legislators, it is important that Members put both sides of...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Seanadóir nua. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sí tairbhe agus taitneamh as a ballraíocht anseo. Last week we touched on the issue of the Orange Order protests in the North. The Leader responded comprehensively, but after the recess he might consider giving us an opportunity to engage with the Orange Order in this House. Most people are aware...

Seanad: Membership of Committees: Motion (19 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It would seem to me that the Cathaoirleach has been placed in a difficult and unprecedented position. Is it within his remit to adjourn the House for 15 minutes to give us an opportunity to take advice on this matter? The Whips might want to have a discussion on it as well. I do not think it will help if we just go forward with this. An adjournment of 15 minutes might help everyone.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Ó Domhnaill's question was not hypothetical but about the law and it is important to get an answer. I shall follow on from what Senator Colm Burke has said. His interpretation of the law is that a pregnant woman, who is a visitor to this country, presents herself at a hospital requiring an abortion because she has suicidal intent, should be returned to her own jurisdiction. It...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: With regard to this and the previous debate - I made an intervention earlier - we should be allowed to make whatever point in which we genuinely believe. I get the feeling from some on the other side of the House that they do not accept our views being expressed and I am genuinely disappointed about that. Senator O'Brien is entitled to an individual view but it was not right for him to come...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I understand why he was applauded but because of the procedures of the House, we were not given the opportunity to respond. For that reason, Senator O'Brien was wrong. Although I am being interrupted, I am speaking on a procedural point that does not seem to be acceptable.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Having listened to the debate, I know all of us here have different emotions and that there are different sensitivities and different perceptions. It is important that we do not try to create a uniformity in the debate itself. I have always felt that heckling and interruptions in this House on any subject are not acceptable. I am glad to say that in 16 years I have never done it. In this...

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá an-áthas orm go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ar na Cluichí Oilimpeacha Speisialta ag tarlú, mar tugann sí seans dúinn ár meas a léiriú agus ár mbuíochas a chur in iúl do dhaoine a spreag sinn, a thug dóchas dúinn agus a thug bród dúinn as ár gcine. Ní beag an rud sin. This debate is an...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, took certain measures yesterday to ensure the integrity and the security of the national monument at Moore Street. As we know, this area is closely associated with the 1916 Rising. It was there that the leaders signed the final surrender. It is certainly one of the most historical sites in Ireland. I was glad to...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I would also like to ask the Leader to ascertain the position regarding the Waterford Crystal workers. We met with them in the AV Room a few weeks ago after their rights had been vindicated in Europe. It would be regrettable if they were returned to a limbo after seven or eight years. I commend Senator Barrett. He has set the right tone regarding the Orange Order. The Leader might...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Many of the communications that I received were well thought out and not just two or three sentences. The communications came from professionals, psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, teachers and the general public. I was glad to receive them, read them and tried to integrate their comments into my thinking. Finally, I have never in any debate here made a personal comment and never...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Seanad inniú freisin. I expect that virtually everything that could be said has been said on this exceptional piece of legislation. There has been widespread debate on this and one could see the manner in which people became energised in this debate. It also attracted considerable media coverage and each person can decide whether that...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I wish to comment on the views expressed on the proposed abolition of the Seanad. The Leader might keep in mind the possibility of allowing further debate on this issue because it asks a very fundamental question pertaining to democracy. Why is misleading information being given by a senior Minister? We are really talking about the protection of democracy at this time. There should be...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This is an opportunity for us to do what is right as Senators at this time.

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Second Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: -----let us take it one step further. Let us not just put it on the long finger. Let us ensure that it does become some kind of priority so that while our minds are focused on the issue we can take the next step forward. I compliment Senator White and also the Minister and the Government for the response we have received.

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Second Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator White has done this House a service. She has a distinguished and prolific career in responding to important issues in society. She does this through exceptionally comprehensive reports as well as Private Members' Bills. The reports she has produced over the years have often been the basis for informed debate. They are timeless and will be used as reference documents into the...

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Second Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We were prisoners of that attitude. Now that has changed and it is important to underpin, consolidate and support the family unit. That is what this Bill is all about. We accept there may be technical aspects that must be considered, which is understandable. It is not a matter of Senator White or anyone else wanting all the kudos for at least responding to a necessity. It is important...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Unethical Organ Harvesting in China: Discussion (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: As a person who has visited China on several occasions over a long period, I have witnessed the progress which has taken place there towards openness. However, the field of human rights is still a very murky one. In the presentation reference is made to a very barbaric practice. When the Taoiseach was due to go to China, I wrote to ask him to raise the issue of the Falun Gong because we...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Unlike the Dáil, this House is not all about personalities and soundbites. This Seanad is charged with holding Ministers to account in respect of their actions. Ministers do not want to be scrutinised in this way and they would prefer if it did not happen in the future. However, this will not help democracy and it will not be fair to the people. As a result of what is proposed in the...