Results 561-580 of 602 for speaker:Fiach MacConghail

Seanad: Statements on Finance (6 Oct 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I thank the Minister for attending the Seanad. I have two questions which, if answered, will inform me on how to approach my Seanad decision making with regard to public finances. I know the Seanad has no real power, but I want to be able to explain the macro-factors of the public finances to my communities. I thank the Minister for giving us an overview of the public finances. As Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I congratulate the House on the public launch at noon today of the Seanad consultation committee. I commend all here. My mother says self-praise is no praise, but it is important that we are seen to celebrate some of the reform we promised our constituencies. I know I was not elected, but I know from my community that it is important that we continue to engage with civil society and...

Seanad: Sport: Statements (4 Oct 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I was there.

Seanad: Address by President of the Irish Human Rights Commission (28 Sep 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Cuirim fáilte roimh an dochtúir go dtí an Teach agus gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht an aitheasc a thug sé dúinn a bhí an-eolach ar fad. Dr. Manning's presence is a direct response to Seanad reform. I commend my fellow Senators, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, the Leader of the House and Dr. Manning. The debate we are having is a learning process. As a new Senator I do not...

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: However important mathematics and science are, in the developing policies on numeracy and literacy, arts and arts related subjects are being marginalised and becoming discretionary. The education system is governed by the marketplace-----

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: -----and we must be very careful. I am aware of the Minister's bona fides and we Senators will do what we can to encourage him and the Minister, Deputy Quinn, to ensure we deliver holistic education to all our young citizens so they can participate in all aspects of Irish life.

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I asked the Minister a question about funding.

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Excuse my naivety.

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I wish to share time with Senator Mary Louise O'Donnell.

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I, too, welcome the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, to the Chamber for his first visit here as Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs. I am aware of the Minister's great commitment to and knowledge of the arts and of his personal contribution in that regard, in particular in respect of the literary arts. I have been working professionally in the arts for more than 20 years and this is...

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: There was an interruption so the Senator can get an extra 30 seconds.

Seanad: Family Home Bill 2011: Second Stage (27 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I congratulate Senators Marc MacSharry and Thomas Byrne on drawing up the Family Home Bill 2011, the spirit of which I commend. Sometimes the Legislature needs to be led by public opinion, but it also has to be one step ahead. I disagree with Senator Michael D'Arcy that the Bill is not required at present. We are in grave and uncertain times and if we were to enact legislation in keeping...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I commend the Leader of the House with regard to the changes he made in the first session of this Seanad. As a new Senator, part of my agenda, with the support and willingness of Members, was to free up the Seanad and make it more accessible and meaningful to Senators and citizens. I congratulate the Leader, the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Cathaoirleach and the Committee on Procedure and...

Seanad: SPHE Curriculum: Motion (20 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I congratulate him on his first 100 days in office, and long may he last there. Go maire tú do chuid. I support Senator McAleese's motion calling on the Minister for Education and Skills to give serious and sustained attention to redressing the imbalance in our education system and to ensure that it responds to all of the development needs of each individual pupil.

Seanad: SPHE Curriculum: Motion (20 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I second the motion. I will focus my remarks on the post-primary cycle in particular. Section 4 of the rules and programme for secondary schools requires schools to have an agreed policy for relationship and sexuality education and a suitable relationship and sexuality education programme in place for all students at both junior and senior cycle. That statement is taken from the...

Seanad: SPHE Curriculum: Motion (20 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I sent her a text asking if she had received relationship and sexuality education in school and saying that I had to speak in the Seanad. I received a reply very quickly saying they never got anything like that and that the only thing they got was in sixth class. I will not go through how she spelled all of that. Essentially, her last relationship and sexuality education class was in the...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach agus tá súil agam go n-éireoidh leis ina chuid oibre. I seek clarification regarding the timescale. The Minister indicated he would seek the advice of his Department, the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice and Equality. Will this take two months, six months or longer? Is it possible the advice may not be available...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I wish to record my appreciation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, and the Leader of the House proceeding so efficiently with the new Standing Order concerning the invitation of significant persons in public and civic life to attend the Seanad. There is an extraordinary, devastating famine occurring in the Horn of Africa. It is an increasing threat to human dignity and...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I support Senator Heffernan's remarks on the Cloyne report. As I stated yesterday, we should ask the Leader to set some time aside to reflect on and bear witness to the outcomes of the Cloyne report. I support my fellow Senator on this disturbing and shocking report. Last week in the Seanad, Senator Eamonn Coghlan spoke eloquently and passionately about the role of the Special Olympics and...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Yes I do. I have asked him a question and I will ask him another question.