Results 941-960 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I compliment the Minister of State. The removal of the exclusion cause has given the Bill greater credibility. It would not have been good to exclude by title alone a particular group that is central to communities and, often, the work of charities. It would have detracted from the Bill. As public representatives, councillors are drawn into close co-operation with and involvement in many...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The passing of this Bill is exceptionally good news. It will be welcomed by the charities sector. The widespread consultation on this legislation has played an important role in respect of the consensus generated in this House and in the Dáil. This is the first Bill the Minister of State has steered through the Houses of the Oireachtas and he has done so astutely. We are all in agreement...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I compliment everybody who participated in the debate in this House. We all had an opportunity to make known our views on this issue. The legislation reflects the commitment of the people of Ireland to charity, per se. I have said many times that Irish people when asked to respond to a good cause always do. I compliment the Minister of State on the passing of the Bill. I hope he will...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: There is no doubt the decision Senator Buttimer referred to last week has certainly become part of the folklore of Seanad Éireann. It will probably be debated and discussed for a long time to come. We will not make any progress in that regard this morning and we will deal, therefore, with the actual amendments before us. Senator Buttimer is quite right that sport is vital to the well-being...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support this amendment. All Members are aware that terrorism is extraterritorial and I am pleased this has been included.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We could have an animated discussion on religion but my better judgment tells me to stay clear of the theological minefield presented by Senator Norris. Perhaps some other day we can have a full debate on that. I must admit I am fairly ignorant about humanism. I always thought it was an antidote to religion. Perhaps that is misinformed in its own way.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I cannot speak for the Holy Spirit, obviously,——

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: ——but I would be surprised if the Holy Spirit is not in there among humanists as well, in their own way. Religion in many ways is community and in other ways it is individual. We need to be very careful when it is community and when it is individual. I will focus on individual for the moment. There is a slight danger here — I do not attribute this to anyone who has promoted the idea...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On Second Stage we all had an opportunity to express our views on human rights issues. I put my position on the record at that time because I felt uncomfortable. I must also put on the record that Senator Norris in particular has been one of the foremost advocates for human rights in this House. On many occasions, particularly on the Order of Business, I have been on the same wavelength as...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I genuinely feel it would be wrong to see Ireland in that regard.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: When opportunities arise, we often ask the Government to take an independent stand. Just because one is a member of a particular forum, whether it is the European Union or the United Nations, one does not have to toe the line completely. We saw that during the invasion of Iraq. I can still recall watching that invasion on television as if we were watching a movie, forgetting that people on...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We have also seen what some of the major powers did in laying their mines in countries they invaded. When they withdraw, however, they leave the mines and it is left to private organisations and spirited people to engage in clearing them. We also saw what mines do to people, not just killing them but also maiming them by blowing off limbs and destroying their lives. There is so much of...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It was totally against all the existing conventions on war. We should bear in mind that there are thousands of examples where we must stand up. On the other hand, while it may not be the strongest argument, I do not contribute to the notion that the organisations I have mentioned are the only custodians of human rights. I would regard that as a weakness in the protection of human rights,...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The point I am making is part of the amendment.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The work done by these organisations has been mentioned, therefore we are entitled to put the other side of the argument. I do not agree with the position taken by Amnesty International on abortion. If one supports human rights, one must support them in all forms, including for the born and the unborn. We cannot genuinely say that Amnesty should have taken that position.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I look forward to the Minister of State's response. Obviously I will be voting with the Government. I have stated what position individual organisations should take on human rights. If there is a further discussion, we might also respond.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I am beginning to wonder if I am an innocent abroad when it comes to the operation of democracy. My understanding of democracy is that one expresses one's point of view and then accepts the will of the majority. I am not a Trappist monk when it comes to that, I am entitled to express a view and still vote with the Government. I would be very disappointed if this process were diluted in any...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: As the debate on the possibility of a second referendum on the Lisbon treaty gathers momentum, we must remind ourselves that the people decisively and overwhelmingly rejected the treaty in the previous referendum. It is important to recall that we are not dealing with some form of eccentric fringe group. Having listened to the debate on the treaty, the majority of the people made a...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I, too, welcome the amendment. By removing the exemption, one removes also a question mark over a particular body. In any case, such a body would keep proper accounts, and it is vital it would do so. Educational bodies should have the same status as any other charity in that regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The House has played a central role in the issue of human rights and our voices have been heard many times. Given our history, it is important that we dwell more on the spirit of the law and less on its letter. We should avail of every opportunity to show mercy and charity when we witness a particular plight or know of people who feel vulnerable. Most human rights issues, apart from the...