Results 901-920 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The reason I say that is that it is particularly important for us not to take our eye off the ball, which is the economy. I say genuinely that I regard those same polls as a very sobering experience for this side of the House. There is a temptation for the weak-kneed, when they come under fire, to retreat and to run but the real test of leadership is to hold one's nerve and stand one's...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I am and I look forward to it when we have it but by then, there will probably be another poll. What is coming out of this poll is that the Opposition and I hope the Government, in terms of the statistic I have given, are both getting through to the electorate. I will come back to what I have said since the beginning of this crisis. I am not calling for a national Government but we had a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: ——should not put forward alternatives. What it means is that we should try to identify the central elements and ingredients that are vital and which can be common cause. Let us leave the poll aside and deal with the economy.

Seanad: Middle East Conflict: Motion (26 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is mian liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir Ormonde as a cuid ama a roinnt liom agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil rún comhpháirtí á phlé againn ar an ábhar thar a bheith tábhachtach seo. Le tamall fada, ar Riar na hOibre gach maidin, bhí seans againn labhairt faoi seo ach ní raibh seans againn labhairt faoi le haontas. Ag amharc siar ar stair na...

Seanad: Middle East Conflict: Motion (26 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The situation in South Africa and the apartheid movement was a totally different situation from the type of conflict we are talking about. If I were to look for a comparable situation, and I know it is far apart, I would look to the North of Ireland, where we were trying to bring about reconciliation between two communities. At the end of the day, the only way we succeeded in doing so was...

Seanad: Middle East Conflict: Motion (26 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: ——who was closely tied to Israel. There was also an election within Israel itself. Nothing will convince me that the confluence of those two elections did not have a bearing on the timing of the conflict. Somebody tried to prove they were prepared to employ strong-arm tactics.

Seanad: Middle East Conflict: Motion (26 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It does not take from the terrible tragedies of the Israeli people who suffered from the rockets. Israel lost the battle. As a result of that there has been an outcry throughout the world, even from its own friends. The information it puts out is no longer seen as credible. Even when it bombed a United Nations centre, it denied it at first, then agreed that perhaps bombs were dropped in...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: A crisis, by its nature, stultifies motivation and certainly slows down progress and solutions. Often, a turning point comes in such a crisis unexpectedly. The ingredient for such a turning point often comes without any fanfare. A good example is provided by the situation in Northern Ireland. Members debated the issue many times and felt there was no way out of it. Then however, when...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I believe Opposition Members perceive themselves to be watchdogs, and much more besides, in the democratic system. This is exactly as it should be. They also are reflecting the anger and disappointment that obtains at present. However, when all that has finished, one moves on to a new phase. At the outset of this debate many months ago, I saluted Alan Dukes. I can remember that at the...

Seanad: Development of the West: Statements (24 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Ag 10.30 a.m. maidin amárach.

Seanad: Development of the West: Statements (24 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is mian liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire. Is beag duine ar an oileán seo a bhfuil stádas agus tuiscint an Aire, ar imeachtaí an iarthar agus na tuaithe, aige nó aici. Cuirim fáilte freisin roimh an tuarascáil atá curtha le chéile ag an Seanadóir Doherty. Caithfidh mé a rá go raibh áthas orm bheith ar an gcoiste sin. Cruthaíonn sé fiúntas agus stádas coistí an...

Seanad: Development of the West: Statements (24 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I know for a fact there are aspects of regulations that other countries do not observe. In my area, many housewives who had no jobs outside the home were able to bake apple tarts, scones and cakes. One was delighted to get them and one would fight on one's back to get them. However, EU regulations were imposed on us stipulating, inter alia, that one must have steelware in the kitchen. One...

Seanad: Development of the West: Statements (24 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: What I am saying about Athmhúscailt an Iarthair, I am saying genuinely. If we are not positive, do not recognise the strengths we have and help the small people to create and sustain jobs, as we have been doing, the bigger infrastructure, which I recognise should be developed, will be of no use. I compliment Senator Doherty on the broad range of the report. As the Minister, Deputy Ó...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: President Barack Obama ushered in a new era of hope, not just for America but, by extension, for the whole world. He talked about a new regime of diplomacy and one presumes he meant that to replace a regime of aggression. He talked about holding out a hand of friendship to other countries, including Iran, North Korea and so on. One has to consider the legacy the old regime gave us. In...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: If one examines the position in Gaza, as has been touched on here, and the butchery of the Palestinians, one questions when Israel will be held accountable for its war crimes. Look at Guantanamo Bay and the replacement of the word "torture" with "rendition". I place the case of Mr. Seán Garland against that background. I acknowledge the separation of powers and I will speak only on the...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Ag 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I move: That the Seanad do agree to the amendment made by the Dáil to Seanad amendment No. 71.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I dtosach, is mian liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit agus buíochas a ghabháil leis toisc gur thug sé cluas do na moltaí a bhí ins an Teach seo. Níl aon amhras faoi ná go raibh díospóireacht an-leathan go deo anseo agus go minic bhí an dá thaobh den Teach ar an tuairim chéanna maidir le cuid de na rudaí a bhí á rá. Glacaim freisin go mbeidh reachtaíocht breise amach...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: ——it was interesting that the outgoing President could only get a 27% rating, which proves the importance of the human rights argument. I hope that we shall return to that again, if necessary. On the sporting bodies, I believe the Minister of State gave a very good explanation in that regard. Sporting bodies, which already had charitable status, will continue to enjoy it. As regards...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: As is the case with the various matters discussed in the House, all things are relative. At present, two young children under the age of 12 months are incarcerated in Irish prisons. Ten such children have been held in our prisons in recent times because their mothers gave birth while incarcerated. On the other hand, we have witnessed shenanigans involving the transfer of deposits of...