Results 421-440 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We should not start this debate by saying we think it is futile. If Senators put the country before their parties, this will not be futile. I ask them to reflect on the manner in which the proposal to abolish the Seanad was introduced. It was dropped like a bombshell in the middle of a general election campaign without forewarning or notice. No White Paper or Green Paper was drawn up. It...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: They will realise that it is a negation of democracy. It will become clear that if the referendum is passed, we will be dealing with an over-centralised concept of government which has never served the country well and never will. I hope somebody in the halls of power will look at the transcript of this debate and realises this might not be as straightforward as they think. We will have an...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This debate is not about a local property tax per se. It is about the inbuilt inequities in that tax and its method of implementation. There was a build-up of misunderstanding at the time of the household tax which was a single charge for everyone. While it was an interim measure it has left a legacy which is the background to the local property tax. There is widespread fear about the...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It would help if there were no question of a sword hanging over one. For people who want to do the valuation themselves the issue seems to be more location than valuation. As a result these anomalies will be widespread. People will say that if it is fair and equitable they should respond positively and correct the State's finances just as they did when the first household charge came in....

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second Senator Daly's motion and I compliment him and the Leader on bringing this motion before us. It is surprising there is not an accepted protocol for the national flag. We have guidelines on it and we all know those from when we were in school. We knew when we could and could not fly the flag etc. and those guidelines were keenly observed. Even today in the midst of cynicism, and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Seachtain na Gaeilge: Díospóireacht le Daoine Óga (5 Mar 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Go raibh maith agat a Cathaoirligh agus tá céad míle fáilte romhaibh. Caithfidh mé a rá gur ócáid stairiúil í seo, mar tá an t-aos óg ag comhchoiste an Oireachtais ag labhairt libh, sin rud an-tábhachtach agus rud náisiúnta freisin. Dúirt sibh dála an scéil, gur onóir díbhse bheith anseo...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (28 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the comments of Senators O'Sullivan and Mullins regarding the good news for the first two months of the year in the tourism sector arising, I presume, from the good work done by The Gathering. It augurs well for the rest of the year. The importance of the tourism industry is that the benefits are spread to almost every part of the island and they are not confined to centralised...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Any humane person can understand Senator MacSharry's passion for the issue that he raised. The same passion exists on the other side of the House. For a long time, I have had the feeling that many of the difficulties relating to vulnerable people - those who are handicapped or disadvantaged - do not stem from party policies, but from an attitude that might exist in every country. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Consider the Croke Park agreement. I have calculated that Senators will suffer a cut of ¤34. This will not be per week, but per year. It is not that Senators have already taken cuts. We have taken major cuts, including in expenses. Rather, the issue has to do with everyone in broadcasting, the media, business and so on. One section attacks another because we will not engage with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Let us examine the basic attitudes that are causing many of the problems facing us.

Seanad: Ireland's Presidency of the European Council: Statements (26 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim céad mile fáilte roimh an Aire. Is díospóireacht an-shuimiúil ar fad í seo. Ar shlí, is díospóireacht stairiúil í chomh maith mar cruthaíonn sé an stádas atá bainnte amach ag ár dtír san Eoraip. Tá sé sin thar a bheith tábhachtach mar tugann sé sin cumhacht dúinn chomh maith. I welcome the Minister of State and compliment her on the very fine role she is...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching and Ministers and other Government representatives will be travelling to various parts of the world. It is a reminder of how the Irish people have travelled around the world and the contribution they have made to their adopted countries. St. Patrick's Day is a time for celebration and The Gathering will be central to this year's festivities. However,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I, too, compliment and commend the Taoiseach for the very full apology he offered yesterday. I do not believe anybody expected anything less of him, it was just a matter of timing. I also include the Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin and everyone else involved in yesterday's debate. I became extremely emotional when I saw all Members of Dáil Éireann give a standing ovation to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Will the Leader consider arranging an early debate on Northern Ireland? Such a debate would be both timely and helpful. All decent people on the island welcome the progress made and changes for the better which have emanated from the Good Friday Agreement. I would go so far as to say that, from a global point of view, the agreement is probably unique in the context of conflict resolution....

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator Cullinane's suggestion that as part of the State commemoration of the 1913 Lock-out, the Seanad might consider inviting a senior trade union official to address us. It would be most appropriate. I compliment President Michael D. Higgins on the very courteous and generous message of goodwill which he issued on the impending resignation of Pope Benedict. I join with that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is it possible to bring forward the debate on the report on the Magdalen laundries? The timing of its release has not been helpful. It was released after a Cabinet meeting that the Attorney General attended. It was quite evident that the latter put constraints on the Taoiseach. The victims, the survivors, must have been absolutely stunned by the tone of the Taoiseach's comments in the...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá céad míle fáilte roimh an Aire agus táim cinnte go mbeidh céad míle fáilte roimh na míle Gael a bheidh ag filleadh ar an dtír seo don ocáid speisialta seo. Níl amhras faoi ná go bhfuil na Gaeil thar a bheith go maith ag ceiliúradh agus táim cinnte go mbeidh an scéal amhlaidh arís. Molaim an obair atá idir láimhe ag an Aire. I welcome the...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is always edifying to see young people involved in charitable causes. It is happening every day in every village, town and city where young people are performing acts to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. That is what the pupils of Coláiste na Sceilge in Caherciveen were doing at Christmas time. They took to the streets in winter weather to raise funds for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Establishment of Planning Regulator: Discussion with Minister of State (29 Jan 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I apologise for the absence of Deputy Barry Cowen, who is indisposed, and I welcome the Minister of State and her officials in setting out their stall with regard to possible legislation arising from the findings of the Mahon tribunal. Today is an interesting exercise and the Minister of State has posed wide-ranging and pertinent questions. We are used to draft legislation, which is very...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2013)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I join in the expressions of sympathy to Senator Henry and to the de Buitléar family on the death of their loved ones. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam. I also join in the expressions of sympathy and outrage that have been expressed today on the brutal murder of Detective Garda Donohoe. They are heartfelt and they reflect the feelings of a stunned nation at this time. People cannot begin to...