Results 541-560 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: When I look around me, I note we do not have Members falling asleep in the back chairs, as in the House of Lords in England.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I have not noticed that.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I do not see any Members falling asleep behind me. It was always a bit of fun to watch on television live coverage from the House of Lords to see how many people were falling asleep. It was quite extraordinary. That is not the system we have here. It is a great privilege to be a Senator and to be able to stand here and debate as a Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: On behalf of the Green Party, like everyone else, I welcome the return of Senator Paschal Mooney to the House. As a fellow Connacht man, I am delighted we are beginning to redress the imbalance. Like other Senators, I call for a debate on Haiti because it is very important. Our troubles with snow and floods pale into significance relative to what is going on there. I ask the Government...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am getting to that, Senator. There are three portions to this banking inquiry. The first, which is very important, is the scoping of this inquiry, and it is crucial. We do not want to see the banking inquiry going down the same route as the Flood, Mahon and other tribunals which have taken years, including the conclusions to the beef tribunal.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That is not the format we want. Many Members of the Opposition are talking about this particular inquiry as if the scoping has actually happened and as if the terms of reference are in place. They are not. That is going to take place over the coming time and it is important that people do not prejudice the scoping. The second portion is the commission of inquiry and if people refer to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We are working strongly to ensure public transparency and accountability will be maximised from this inquiry and we continue to work for that.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I echo Senator Bacik's comments on the rape issue. I sometimes wonder if it is just women who raise it. It is very important that men raise it as well. There has been much more male involvement in the Rape Crisis Network. Rape is a heinous crime and we must recognise that. Senator Quinn made some valuable comments on leadership. I do not know if this is possible, but I suggest that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: This House can play a very valuable role in the leadership required to bring this country out of recession. That is why I am here, and I am sure it is why every Senator is here. Every Senator from both sides of the House can play that role.

Seanad: Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tony Killeen. I have to commend him because the ink is not even dry on the renewed programme for Government and he is already acting on it. The Bill provides for a 400% increase in the statutory borrowing limit for Coillte, which is fantastic. I also commend and agree with Senator Coffey that all parties are developing good green policies. Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Senator Buttimer referred to political interference. I would also welcome the Minister coming into the House to discuss the western rail corridor, with which there has been divine interference.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: This has been delayed because of flooding on the line but we need to see the western rail corridor open at the earliest possible time. The Minister can talk about this while he is in the Chamber. I ask the Leader to ask my party colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to attend the House to debate the mayorship of Dublin. This is an important position. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We are facing into a possible election next year.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: No, a mayoral election.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: This side of the House is in the business of reforming politics.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: This is an important event in next year's political calendar. Members of this House have been touted as possible candidates for the position, including Senators Norris, Quinn and Ross.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Someone suggested Senator Buttimer.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We should invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to debate this important issue at the earliest juncture in the new year.

Seanad: Budget 2010: Motion (16 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I thank Fine Gael for tabling the motion, as this is an important debate. A tough budget has been passed and we need to focus on providing a stimulus in a big way. I welcome Senator Quinn's comments because he has great experience of recessions and been involved in setting up forward-thinking companies in difficult times. We should reflect on his experience. As a Green Party member, I will...

Seanad: Budget 2010: Motion (16 Dec 2009)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: However, the west has huge potential for wealth creation, particularly because the currencies of the future will be water, food and energy, which are necessary for us to survive. Many countries are experiencing climate change issues such as drought, yet Ireland is suffering from a deluge of water and, by all accounts, the position will worsen. Despite the difficulties it presents, water is...