Results 601-620 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the call made by Senator Jim Walsh for an all-party motion on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, as happened in the Dáil. It would be nice if that happened at a fairly early stage. I would also like to commend the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore, and the Government on their persistence in seeking justice for the family of the murdered solicitor,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I would like the Leader to convey our views to the Tánaiste urging him and the Government to continue along the lines they have been taking, because it would make a lot of sense to have the public inquiry sooner rather than later. As long as we are waiting for this inquiry, the matter will fester and will only create enmity. I compliment the Government on meeting the Finucane family so...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator David Cullinane has made a very reasonable point on what could be perceived as the exclusion of Sinn Féin from some debates in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It can only be helpful to our deliberations to have all diverse views put forward. Perhaps the CPP would again consider this matter. I compliment Senator Zappone on her very graphic contribution this morning on impaired hearing and on her desire that all Members of this House should play a full and meaningful role. The Senator has done a service not just to the operation of the Oireachtas...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I attended a meeting in Clonmel held in an hotel that was full to capacity, with approximately 300 or 400 people in attendance. There is no doubt that the meeting was emotional and, like all the subjects raised today, concerned real people. It was about their concerns on the future of Kickham Barracks. If the barracks close, Clonmel will lose €10 million; it is as simple as that. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I will go further than that, with the Cathaoirleach's permission, because the 400 people who attended the meeting in Clonmel and their extended families expect me to raise this question in Parliament; that is why I was elected. While I support the amendment, I also want to highlight the fact that Kickham Barracks were named after Charles J. Kickham, one of the greatest Irish patriots of all...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There is a tendency at the moment to scoff at patriotism and I hear a little echo coming across the floor. Let us be serious about people. Kickham wrote extensively about the importance of community and he talked about doing things for the honour of the little village. Last night in Clonmel they were doing it for the honour of Clonmel. The Defence Forces have stood by this country through...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Minister has been invited to Clonmel and has not come. Surely, if all those jobs are in jeopardy and if it is worth €10 million to the town of Clonmel, it must be possible for him to put it on his schedule. I will make one final point. Everyone in this House agrees with Senator Mullins, who called for a debate on standards in the media. Whether we like it, there is a perception...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: That is what we must nail once and for all.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Yesterday's debate on voting rights specifically related to the presidency, not to Dáil elections or local elections. A distinction should be made there because the President travels outside the country and is seen as ambassadorial and is, therefore, connected to the diaspora. I agree that we should have a debate because I do not think yesterday should be the end of the issue; it should...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I hoped the opportunity might arise where we could discuss Ireland's relationship with Europe. I am not talking about the bigger issues of funding or lending. It has struck me forcefully how, throughout its duration and up until very recently, the recession has impacted on our debates in the Seanad. We used to see it on the Order of Business every day but in the last few weeks other issues...

Seanad: Presidential Elections: Motion (Resumed) (5 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Is mian liom freisin fáilte a chur roimh na hionadaithe atá anseo ón Tuaisceart. Tá seo stairiúil agus ar shlí díríonn sin díreach ar an bpointe cad é atá i gceist sa rún seo. Molaim Sinn Féin freisin toisc an rún a chur os ár gcomhair agus an machnamh agus an taighde atá déanta ag an pháirtí. Tá seanfhocal ann, ní neart go cur le chéile,...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Ireland, in the main, has a proud record when it comes to human rights. This House played a very significant role in that down through the years. It is possibly a temptation when one is embedded with the international economic fraternity that one is afraid to offend the paymasters. In the case of Ireland, we need to be particularly careful in that regard. A number of human rights issues...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In many ways, as a small country, we have a lot to be proud of. We have made very great strides since the foundation of the State. We are regarded as a model for other emerging legislatures. Very often, where there are inadequacies, it comes down to lack of common sense and compassion. I have in mind the legal system which is still archaic in many ways. This House would be serving a...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Certainly. One could never convince the family of the man to whom I referred or the community from whence he came, that this is correct and nor will one convince the farming community to which that elderly lady belongs, that it is right that she is languishing in prison. The Seanad can serve a very useful purpose in a debate with the Minister, to ensure such cases do not arise again.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Yesterday we had a fine session on the arts in Ireland on which I compliment the Minister. It struck me that he had a hands-on involvement with his ministerial portfolio and I would be very pleased if we could have another session because yesterday's was fruitful. I thank the Leader for facilitating it. I would also like to thank the Leader and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for...

Seanad: Arts Plan: Statements (21 Sep 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Go raibh maith agat a Leas-Chathaoirligh, agus fáiltím roimh an Aire. Tréaslaím leis as a bheith ceaptha mar Aire dos na healaíona sa tír. Chomh maith leis sin, tugaim faoi ndeara an méid oibre atá déanta aige go dtí seo. Is beag cúinne den tír seo nár thug sé cuairt air. Tá sé ag éisteacht, agus tá sé sin thar a bheith tábhachtach. Tá sé ag dul i gcomhairle leis na...

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

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There is no more prevailing image in Irish history than that which depicts a family being evicted from its home. If one looks at any of the drawings and paintings relating to evictions in the past, one can see that people's suffering is amplified when there are children involved. In general, artists always depicted children as being confounded by what was happening to their homes and as...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Where there is honest and open debate, it is often the case that illumination is provided by all those participating. Such has occurred in this debate. I welcome the announcement by the Leader that he intends to introduce a motion in September to broaden this discussion so that we might also take on board the State's culpability. I also welcome the fact that both sides of the House have...