Results 881-900 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is a universal issue which applies not merely to one race of people. Human rights denied or abused diminishes all of humanity. The slaughter of innocents in Afghanistan cries out for justice. However, instead of justice for the survivors, the incident will be filed under some type of military term and that will be the end of it. Even though our voice is not always heard, if we do not...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In Killarney last week I chaired a conference on rural planning which dealt specifically with the issue of one-off housing. We will be making a grave error if we do not realise the palpable anger that exists in respect of this matter. Those who live in rural communities are of the view that they are being treated in an inferior manner. Five cases were highlighted at the conference and...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The example I have highlighted provides Members with an idea of the bizarre situation that obtains in respect of the planning code. An Taisce, in preparing to take its place in history, stated in recent months that the work done by its members during the past 60 years is that of giants. I presume it is suggesting that the remainder of the people will be seen as other than giants. This...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There have been indications in recent times that a different result will be achieved in the next referendum on the Lisbon treaty. There are a number of reasons that this may be the case. Guarantees have been received by the Government about some of the concerns that caused people to vote against the treaty on the last occasion. It is also connected to the present economic situation, where...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Leyden raised a very important issue with regard to fixed as against variable rates of interest. As we know, we had to adopt some rather unorthodox methods in regard to banking in this country, such as guaranteeing deposits and underpinning the banks and recapitalisation and so on. The reason at the moment that variable rates of interest are so low is precisely because of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: With all budgets, one can judge the reaction and what people think in the first 24 hours. There is a sense of realism in the reaction of the media and economists. It is particularly balanced. The reason for this is that we are now dealing with specifics. We have a budget to debate. Prior to this we had an Àla carte debate that was a distraction that created confusion. This morning, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: He was not trying to undermine the budget per se but pointed to specifics. That is the debate we will have tomorrow. With the views of Senators Coghlan and Hannigan, and I hope the same view on this side of the House, we can go one step further from this budget on our five year-plan. We must provide leadership for those who are suffering. There is not a person who did not sit down to...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is bordering on the obscene that people who benefited most from the Celtic tiger seek to punish and humiliate people who benefited least from it.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The crude intervention by IBEC on the social welfare issue is a recipe for social unrest. It is not enough for us to condemn or be critical of this call, IBEC should move immediately on a damage limitation exercise. If it does not do so, its comments in this case could have very serious consequences for the country. One has to ask why the captains of industry are intervening in this...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (25 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Tá an-áthas orm go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ag tarlú, cé go raibh sé againn go rialta go dtí seo. Tá athrú ag teacht ar stádas na turasóireachta an t-am ar fad. Maidir le sin, tá sé tábhachtach go mbeadh seans againn — ag braith ar an taithí atá againn — ár dtuairimí a nochtadh chuile lá agus chuile seachtain. I am delighted...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (25 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: One of the finest monuments in Europe is the Rock of Cashel which 300,000 people visit every year. However, the hotel infrastructure in the region does not have the best history. Perhaps when an opportunity arises, we can do something to endeavour to keep the coach loads that come to the Rock of Cashel within the functional area.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Yesterday in this House we had an exceptional show of unity on the proposed general strike. It was quite clear that the general good of the country superseded that of sectional interests. I, as with other Members this morning, welcome the regeneration of social partnership. It will be far more effective to have formal discussions than to depend on a microphone at the back a truck outside...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I am very heartened by Senator Regan's comments and welcome them. I have been a trade unionist all my life. I have held union office and served on the picket line when necessary. However, I believe next Monday's general strike is wrong. I feel especially sorry for the trade union leadership. They have been endeavouring to give leadership and bring home the message of the seriousness of...

Seanad: Irish Language: Statements (11 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Fáiltím roimh an Aire Stáit agus roimh an ráiteas dearfach ilghabhálach a chuir sé os ár gcomhair. Cabhraíonn sé i gcónaí tuiscint a bheith againn ar dhearcadh an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge. Tá sé tábhachtach a fheiceáil go bhfuil straitéis 20 bliain i gceist don Ghaeilge. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil sé sin ag tarlú. Tréaslaím leis an gcoiste atá ag eagrú sheachtain na...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (11 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is mian liom fáilte a chur roimh an socrú atá déanta chun an Ghaeilge a phlé inniu. Ar nós na cainteoirí eile, tá súil agam go mbeidh seans ag gach éinne gur mhaith leo páirt a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht é sin a dhéanamh. Díospóireacht thar a bheith tábhachtach a bheidh ann. I join the other speakers who have expressed abhorrence at the terrible, brutal events which have...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Ag an am seo gach bliain cuirtear béim faoi leith ar Ghaeilge agus tugann Seachtain na Gaeilge seans don phobal úsáid a bhaint as an Ghaeilge atá acu. Tá an ócáid seo eagraithe go han-mhaith agus is daoine óga go mór mhór atá taobh thiar den iarracht seo. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil dea-thoil ann don Ghaeilge sa Teach seo agus úsáideann roinnt mhaith de Bhaill an Tí Gaeilge ó...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It was previously proposed that the House should hold a debate on the media. The importance of the freedom of expression enjoyed by a free press in an open society cannot be overstated. It is essential to democracy, but it also brings obligations and responsibilities. The media have an ideal opportunity to play a positive, proactive role in resolving the present crisis. A co-ordinated and...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Other Senators spoke about the recent breakthrough in adult stem cell research, which I believe is good news. We should not distract from or minimise the breakthrough for ideological reasons because it will help many people who are suffering. On previous occasions, we had the opportunity to debate the growing progress with adult stem cell research. What has happened is that the debate on...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I hope we could have that debate in a temperate and moderate manner because we must think of those who are suffering and vulnerable. I support Senator O'Reilly's comments regarding the undocumented Irish in America. He put their case particularly well. These are our people who are in America for personal and social reasons. One can only imagine the terrible suffering they must endure....

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I compliment the main Opposition party for not having gloated over this morning's opinion poll. I mean that genuinely