Results 421-440 of 602 for speaker:Fiach MacConghail

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: The Labour Party now proposes an amendment to the 1997 Act to abolish the boards of the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: All done under the eyes of the Government. It is a disgrace.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: I shall give one clear example of a lack of joined-up thinking. I ask the Leader to set aside time for a debate attended by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan. Both have held forums and prepared proposals and reports on philanthropy in Ireland. The Minister for...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: National Museum of Ireland (9 Oct 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: Yes, it does clarify the situation and I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: National Museum of Ireland (9 Oct 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: As this is the first time I have raised a matter on the Adjournment, forgive me if I get the procedures wrong. I warmly welcome the Minister to the Seanad and extend my congratulations to him on securing approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to fill the post of director of the National Museum of Ireland. I know how difficult it can be and I acknowledge the work of...

Seanad: Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 Oct 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: I would like to share my time with Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell.

Seanad: Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 Oct 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire thar n-ais go dtí an Seanad. Tréaslaím leí go mór as ucht An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) a chur faoi bhráid an Tí tráthnóna. Is maith go mór ar deireadh agus go beacht go mbeidh leanaí agus a gcearta á aithint as a gceart fhéin sa Bhunreacht. Is iontach an rud é go dtabharfar cosaint speisialta anois do leanaí...

Seanad: Life-Limiting Health Conditions in Children: Motion (26 Sep 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: I welcome the Minister of State. I have always been impressed with her engagement with us whenever we have brought a motion. I like the Seanad and participating in its debates. Senator Zappone spoke on radio this morning and outlined ways that the Seanad could and should improve its business. The Independent Senators put considerable time into preparing our motions. The Taoiseach has...

Seanad: Syrian Conflict: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to this Chamber. I listened on the monitor to his moving account of his visit to Jordan. It brings home to us in the Seanad what is happening in Syria. May I ask a personal question? It seems there is a sense of resignation, and the sense of the impotency of the United Nations. I read the oral update issued in June on the independent...

Seanad: Syrian Conflict: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to this Chamber. I listened on the monitor to his moving account of his visit to Jordan. It brings home to us in the Seanad what is happening in Syria. May I ask a personal question? It seems there is a sense of resignation, and the sense of the impotency of the United Nations. I read the oral update issued in June on the independent...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: To paraphrase Phillip McMahon, who wrote "Alice in Funderland", we are all in the gutter but some of us are looking up at the Spar. At the outset, the Minister should be under no illusion but that all Members are here to support him without question. However, what is vital in our community, of which the Minister is a part both as a Minister and in respect of his role and the work he has done...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: They seek the flip side of this, namely, the public consultation side. This is the reason we drew an example from what is being done by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter. The public must be a part of this debate, and as there was no airing, it was our responsibility to come to the Seanad to deal with that lack. Incidentally, utterly unbeknownst to us, Fianna Fáil...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: No, we provided a fine audience because we care and that is really important. I could have sold tickets last night in the Gallery and there would be more tonight.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: That is right.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: The Minister is eating into my time now.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: That is all right.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: It is really important the Minister knows that.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: I get criticised every single day by 492 people who come to the Abbey Theatre, on a full house, and I simply must get used to it.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: Yes, I make the point in that spirit. I have one further issue in respect of Culture Ireland. Christine Sisk is a person I know well and with whom I have worked well. However, I query and question the procedure for public appointments and I have a right to so do. The person who is in place pro tem may well apply for the job. I know she did not apply for the job and I would encourage her...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: In the one minute remaining to me, I strongly believe there are only words in the difference between what the Independent group seeks and the Government amendment. There are two issues I wish to tease out with the Minister within that minute. First, when he has made up his mind, can he publish his response to the public sector reform plan and put it into the public domain before it goes...