Results 541-560 of 602 for speaker:Fiach MacConghail

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: I attended the debate but did not speak. However, as the Seanad can do, it taught me an enormous amount about the issues facing a rights based approach to disability and Government policy. The debate was rich and informative, as was the quality of the contributions from all parties and all sides. There was no political point scoring either and the debate showed how the Seanad can deal with...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: Yes, I have two questions, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, and thank you for reminding me. They relate to this issue. Before I ask the questions I will mention the proposal for Oberstown. The programme for Government includes a proposal to build a detention centre there but there has been no final decision on it. I know funding for the project is being investigated. My two questions are these....

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: It is extraordinary that, so far, none of the speakers have mentioned the attack on our sovereignty which involves us paying back €1.25 billion on unsecured bondholders. It is a depressing day. While there is nothing I can do about it today, I want to acknowledge it. If there was a symbolic vote around that area, I would support it, but it is very disappointing and depressing, and I feel...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: To clarify, I have one question for the Cathaoirleach and one question for the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: Yes, but I also have a question for you, a Chathaoirligh. On behalf of all of us, will you send a note of congratulations to the Irish Film Board for the two excellent performances? I commend the Leader, who is on a sticky wicket regarding the debate around reform of Seanad Éireann. I commend the House for an excellent debate last week on job creation. Will the Leader set aside time...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

Fiach MacConghail: I thank the Cathaoirleach for keeping me on the straight and narrow. I ask the Leader for that debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: On the Private Members' motion that was discussed in October regarding the prosecution of purchasers of sex, which was highlighted by the Turn Off The Red Light campaign, I commend and applaud what happened in Limerick which has been outlined in a report in The Irish Times today. In Limerick 21 people pleaded guilty to soliciting or importuning for the purposes of prostitution between 11...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I propose to amend the Order of Business to ask the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, to attend the House to debate disability allowances today.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I congratulate the House, in particular the members of the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges, on what has turned out to be an excellent and healthy debate and discussion at the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. I saw it yesterday. The contributions, particularly by Professors Quinn and Kenny, were extraordinary. It shows what the reform of the Seanad can do and the impact of...

Seanad: Address by Dr. Mary Robinson (24 Nov 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I welcome Dr. Robinson. As we are on the theme of showing one's age, my parents decided that instead of attending civic classes in school in 1977, I would be sent out to support her in her campaign for the Dublin Rathmines West constituency. I was a lot younger than I should have been, about 11 or 12 years of age. I learned a lot about political culture and Dr. Robinson's wonderful vision...

Seanad: Community and Voluntary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (9 Nov 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I have two questions. I note a report on philanthropy and fund-raising will be delivered to the Minister at the end of this month. It would be important for the Minister to talk to his colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, who has also commissioned a report on fund-raising-----

Seanad: Community and Voluntary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (9 Nov 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: He too has commissioned a separate report under the chairmanship of John McGrane to examine the philanthropic context of not-for-profit arts and culture sectors. There could be a possibility of duplication and also a bit of enhancement. I ask the Minister to speak to the officials from that Department to achieve some kind of cohesion. I am not sure if the report has been published yet but...

Seanad: Community and Voluntary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (9 Nov 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: It would be nice if both Ministers were to launch this together because there would be a good connection between the two areas.

Seanad: Reform of Junior Certificate: Statements (8 Nov 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Cuirim fáilte roimh an t-Aire chuig an Seanad agus gabhaim comhghairdeas arís dó as ucht an obair ar fad atá déanta aige san am gairid mar Aire. I applaud the Minister's enthusiasm and his advocacy for change in the junior certificate in particular. I love the quote that unless the examination changes, nothing else will. I believe this is his first contribution in these Houses on the...

Seanad: Reform of Junior Certificate: Statements (8 Nov 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Go raibh maith agat. Students who engage in the arts at school are twice as likely to volunteer and are 20% more likely to vote as young adults. That is the fifth key finding from this report. It is evident that the arts can play a very important role in realising these objectives as set out by the Minister and the NCCA's report, which is a role that has been underutilised until now. I...

Seanad: Reform of Junior Certificate: Statements (8 Nov 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Go raibh maith agat.

Seanad: Reform of Junior Certificate: Statements (8 Nov 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: The Senator's objectivity is fantastic as well.

Seanad: Human Trafficking and Prostitution: Motion (12 Oct 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I second the motion put forward by Senator Zappone and I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this important debate on it. I note with concern the amendment tabled by Senator Cummins on behalf of the Government. This amendment is an extraordinary example of the use of Orwellian language and deflectionary tactics to avoid a positive outcome to this debate. I call on the...