Results 961-980 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is an opportunity to raise topical issues. However, yesterday's procedural gymnastics did not do the House any credit.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I wonder what the public perception is of our wasting more than two hours traipsing in and out for votes in light of issues such as unemployment, the food industry, the Lisbon treaty and so on.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Last night, we felt that the time available to discuss the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was restricted.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Regarding the matter of not having an Order of Business on Friday, it is my understanding that Friday is additional to our normal sitting days.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We will have the extra day to be able to address urgent matters, including legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This is the idea behind a Friday sitting. There is nothing wrong with not having an Order of Business. Yesterday's events were alien to the House. The cut and thrust of a normal amendment or opposing the Order of Business is one matter, but neither was the case yesterday. When the public becomes aware of it, we will have undermined the excellent reputation that the House has built up.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (9 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Fáiltím roimh an Aire agus, go mórmhór, an díospóireacht ilghabhálach a bhí againn go dtí seo. Tá sé soiléir go bhfuilimid ar aon aigne faoi staid eacnamaíochta na tíre i láthair na huaire agus na deacrachtaí a bheidh ann amach anseo. I welcome the Minister and compliment her on successfully negotiating her Department's budget. I also compliment her departmental officials....

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (9 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Many will attest to the fact that those people felt useful. Therapeutically, it was good for them to leave their homes each day and to have pride in their work. It has been calculated that the saving to the State is €30 per week. While the sum is €30 of €40, looking after people who will not enter mainstream employment but who have an essential role to play at community level would...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (9 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Bill is necessary. Instead of using State assistance, we must all work in partnership to try to help those in need.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I, too, welcome the Minister of State's decision in responding so generously to the concerns we raised on Second Stage. He has also reflected in that decision the charities that have been mentioned by Senator Buttimer and others, which do such great work with a whole army of volunteers throughout the country. This makes it workable for those people to continue with the charitable...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: That local authority members were being precluded on a continuous basis from State boards and other statutory bodies could be wrongly interpreted as responding to a caricature of local authority members which had been promoted by certain people and some sections of the media. This was most unfair because anybody familiar with the work of local councillors will know full well that they have...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On Tuesday next. Report Stage ordered for Tuesday, 9 December 2008.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Ag 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Do we deal with reality or perception? I ask this because I was sitting behind the Whip and I can testify here and now——

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Let me finish my point. We are all entitled to make a point of order. Part of the difficulty is that perception has taken over from reality, as we see from the type of reaction we are getting from the other side of the House.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Both procedure and legislation are about reality, not perception. The reality is that the Chief Whip stood up. I am prepared to testify to that. He made it clear that he was seeking a walk-through vote.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I look forward to the Minister of State's response to these amendments because I know he is keenly conscious of the importance of the sports organisations, their value within and the contribution they make to communities. One could go so far as to say that without many of these sports organisations, communities would certainly be very impoverished. They also play a very distinctive social...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Minister of State has pointed out that the purpose of this legislation is to update and upgrade what could be considered archaic legislation. It is evident that all speakers appreciate what the Minister of State has done. He has listened carefully to the many points that arose, not just in the consultative process but also in respect of points that were parked over the years. The...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: As there is a vote in the Dáil, I propose that the sitting be suspended.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We had to suspend for a vote on Second Stage, but the Minister of State must go to the Dáil.