Results 681-700 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Yesterday I made the point that I believe there are people on the sidelines waiting to exploit the anger and emotion which exists during the present economic crisis. I do not believe these people genuinely want any resolution to the present problem. What we saw yesterday mirrored exactly the point that I was making. I suggested that we should look closely at what is happening in Greece...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This House has won considerable kudos in recent weeks, particularly on the Order of Business which has been dominated by the economic situation and the forthcoming budget. The debate here is exceptionally balanced and good. As is inevitable at a time like this, various interests will rise to the top. This morning the issue seems to be education. Another morning it was health, another day...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion (2 Nov 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I move: That Seanad Éireann notes the Report of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Sport, Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs entitled '20 Year Strategy on the Irish Language 2010–2030' which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 28 July, 2010.

Seanad: Tourism Sector: Statements (Resumed) (21 Oct 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I compliment the Leader on making this debate possible. On the Order of Business, Members regularly request a debate on tourism. We also like to think of this as being on an ongoing basis. It should not be a once-off debate. It is important that we keep up to date with developments. The tourism industry has met challenges over the years. Bord Fáilte did a fantastic job of work with very...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Last week I attended a full to capacity cross-party meeting at one of Dublin's historic sites. The meeting was addressed by Mr. James Connolly, the grandson of the illustrious patriot of the same name. It was an emotional and inspiring occasion and we were all conscious of the great legacy of tenacity and sacrifice we as a people had inherited. The significance of that legacy cannot be...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Oct 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The rescue of the Chilean miners has captured the imagination of the whole world. What we have seen is the seemingly impossible made possible. The Chilean President put it exceptionally well when he said Chile would never be the same again, that the people were more united than they had ever been before. The reason they are united is they united in the face of adversity. There is no...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is mian liom aontú leis an Seanadóir O'Toole maidir le straitéis na Gaeilge. Tá an tuarascáil foilsithe agus tá sí ag Rialtas anois. Bheadh sé cabhrach í sin a phlé chomh luath agus is féidir. Given the interest of the Oireachtas in the Irish language, 80 Members attended the information seminar in Buswells Hotel last week organised by the Irish language organisations. This is...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Last week I did not have an opportunity to acknowledge Senator Bradford's balanced and coherent contribution on the need for partnership in politics to find a way forward from the current crisis. As Senators may recall, during the first couple of months of the recession I regularly made the same point on the Order of Business. While my contributions on the issue are virtually ancient...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the execution of Tipperary man Mr. Harry Gleeson for a gruesome murder. In the intervening years, much analysis and research has been carried out on the case. Mr. Marcus de Búrca did a masterly job of dissecting the case in his book. He showed a litany of false procedures, evidence that was tempered with and local conspiracies. A recent...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We always welcome the Minister's response. It is quite clear there are different views on this Bill and the Minister has to provide us with a focused view that we believe will enable us to endorse the legislation that is being brought forward. I spoke three times today and I do not think any of my contributions exceeded three minutes. I kept things very brief because I had hoped that...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I do not think we could have a guillotine this evening only for the fact there is near unanimity within the House. It is a black mark on us and I know the Leader will be very hurt about this because he has a very proud record. It means that instead of using Standing Orders to control the debate, we now find a big question mark in the public arena that because there were only a few who...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This amendment goes right to the core of what people who have been endeavouring to put forward a counter balance to the debate on this Bill have been saying for a long time. The Minister has been saying the same thing. In other words, the civil partnership Bill is not marriage. The reason for that is that marriage as we understand it is protected within the Constitution. If we were to...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the amendment and I concur with the remarks made by Senator Walsh. The Senator placed into perspective the fact that we engaged in a good debate on Second Stage. I am disappointed, therefore, that Senator Bacik in some way resents that we are seeking to protect our ideals. We engaged in a good debate on Second Stage because, as democrats, we accept that this is the process which...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There is time to step back from the temperature being created in this debate. When I spoke on Second Stage I do not believe I offended or insulted anyone nor did I personalise the debate but I was shocked by the aggressive tone I just heard and the underlying virtual threats which come with it. That cannot be correct. Amendments have been tabled in a democratic way. It is up to both sides...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have listened to most of the debate today and in a moment I will comment on some of the issues I have heard put forward very passionately on both sides of the House. I fully accept that the Minister has had an exceptionally difficult job to do. He wishes to extend civil rights to a group of people who have been denied those civil rights in the past, which is not to our credit. He has...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I will also deal with that in a moment. The record needs to be correct on all these issues. I must also make it clear that my expressing views that may be contrary to Government policy has nothing to do with the leadership of Fianna Fáil. I admire Deputy Brian Cowen. He has shown exceptional strength of character. He has demonstrated integrity and patriotic leadership. It is important...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: These are the same bishops whom we requested to enter the debate on the Lisbon treaty referendum to ensure its passage. They did precisely that. It is all right in one case but not in other cases. We should also bear in mind that these bishops have a mandate because they represent the majority of people who happen to profess the Catholic faith on this island. It is not just the Catholic...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is getting late and people are becoming tired. However, I must admit that some terribly mixed messages are coming across in this debate at present. Senator Walsh made a comment on an administrative issue which he understood to have been raised by the Minister. That was where the box was ticked. The matter in question had nothing to do with the overall debate. Regardless of whether the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On the Order of Business each morning-----