Results 401-420 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second the amendment.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is always valuable to listen to the contributions made by other Members based on their research, specialist skills or observations. Senator Mullen made a worthwhile contribution when he pointed out an error in a statement from a Minister. All he asked was for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter. I did not hear any comment or response that would suggest he was wrong...

Seanad: Charities Regulation: Motion (1 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome this motion from the Independent Senators. I compliment Senator Mary Ann O’Brien on her research and diligence in this regard. If that diligence had not been applied, this matter would not have been addressed with any sense of urgency. That is a sad commentary on ourselves as legislators. I cannot think of any motion that is more important for debate in this House than...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This morning, some Members have welcomed the new abortion legislation, but I cannot share that welcome. I do not believe it is good legislation, nor that there is any evidence to show it is good for women. I do not believe it is good for society and it is certainly not good for the innocent baby whose life will be ended and who will not be given the opportunity to realise his or her full...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second Senator O'Brien's amendment to the Order of Business. I accept what Senator Coghlan is saying in some respects. However, while the banks may be commercial institutions, we cannot ignore the fact that they are central to our economic problems and they must also be central to finding solutions to those problems. The fact that a senior banker is being paid €800,000 per year is...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá fáilte romhat, a Aire.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I found today’s debate helpful and informative. We know what way the vote will go but it was interesting in the contributions that we did not divide on political allegiances. That is good in itself because we hear things which provide a consensus on the issue. The House and the country owes a debt of gratitude to Senator Marie-Louise O’Donnell because she approached the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Darragh O'Brien has raised a reasonable question here today on the remuneration of some senior bank officials. One hears this point from people on the street and I believe the Government's opinion is exactly the same. I have never met anyone, apart perhaps from the officials themselves, who would try to justify the figures, which without question are outrageous. I accept that even...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Gathering is a reminder once again of the importance we place on who we are as a people. We are interested in tracing our roots, being more aware of the environment in which our ancestors grew up, their challenges and achievements. Genealogy is an important tool when it comes to tourism because it helps the families of emigrants return to the homeland to see where their people lived....

Seanad: Philantrophy and Fund-raising: Motion (27 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire . I welcome the Minister to the House. I compliment the Independent Senators who put forward this motion for consideration. These Senators have a very fine record in this House in bringing forward issues that might otherwise not get the airing which they deserve. The issue this evening is certainly one of those. I also appreciate the Minister's comments and...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The record will show clearly that I did not argue against the household tax. The record will show clearly that I accepted that it may have been necessary, in the context of where we are now, but I would expect from the Leader to accept that I asked for a review after six months to determine the difficulties that might exist for people.

Seanad: An Straitéis 20 Bliain don Gaeilge 2010-30: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Molaim go hard é de bharr a shaothair féin ag saothrú chultúr na Gaeilge. Níl aon amhras ná go bhfuil a chroí san áit cheart agus tá a theanga san áit cheart freisin, i lár an aonaigh. Is maith an rud go bhfuil Aire Stáit againn leis an Ghaeilge ar a thoil aige agus ní gá ach féachaint ar "Primetime" cúpla oíche ó shin - bhí an t-ádh...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: As many other Senators have said, St. Patrick's Day is a time for celebration. We do it exceptionally well in Ireland. We do it in every community and throughout the world. St. Patrick's Day is also a time for bridge building. We have seen many instances of this. Added to the celebration on this occasion is the elevation of our new Pope, Francis. It is interesting that when all the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator Whelan and I would like to have a debate on the media. We all accept that one of the strongest strands in any democratic system is a free and independent media, even in times when we may be irked by some transgressions. Deep down we know that without that independent and free expression by the media, we would be in an exceptionally serious position. That said, none of us...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: For as long as I have been a Member of the Seanad, this House has encouraged cross-Border interaction, debate and co-operation. This is happening on an issue currently and the fact it is about the right to life rather than economics, political structures or tourism should not be the cause for anger and alarm. I am delighted to have travelled to Stormont to meet political figures up there to...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Certainly, they would not enter Leinster House under any circumstances. I would not like the message to go back to them that simply because they came down here to discuss the right to life, in one of our Houses of Parliament, Members took the opportunity to in some way misrepresent that visit. Were Members to so do, it would have an impact on future relationships as well. I am very...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On this occasion, as there was cross-party support for what was happening in the North, I would have much preferred had Sinn Féin allowed it to stand. While it is their prerogative and constitutional right, Members should not discourage in the future such cross-Border co-operation, interaction and dialogue and moreover, no message should go out from this House to that effect.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Property Insurance: Discussion with Irish National Flood Forum (12 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I apologise - I was delayed in the Seanad until now. Coming from County Tipperary, I am very familiar with these problems and can remember the situation in Clonmel down through the years - it was traumatic. I am also aware of the difficulties on the insurance front. We have just come through a very competitive period for the insurance industry and are possibly exiting it, which means...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is often the case that our debates become polarised and non-productive. We have seen this in the urban-rural divide and the debate about public and private sector employment. There is a possibility that we are heading in that direction with education at the moment. I feel very privileged to have had my education from the Irish Christian Brothers before we had free education. If one did...