Results 1,041-1,060 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is important at this stage that he be allowed to get on with his work. It is possible that he attracts more of the spotlight than others because of his ability and efficiency. I do not have any doubt that he will play a very significant and pivotal role where the arts and the Office of Public Works are concerned. I also know that Senator Coghlan will welcome him with open arms to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We look forward to that.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Yesterday Members had a helpful debate in respect of rural development. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, was very forthcoming on issues under his remit. He also suggested that Members might invite him back to the House a number of times because the portfolio under discussion is multifaceted and very comprehensive. Although yesterday's debate...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I do. The Minister should be invited to the House for a number of debates on different issues. However, an issue such as one-off housing can no longer be sidelined. Daughters and sons are not allowed to build houses near their families and no good reason is given other than something that is quite vague. Members must take the bull by the horns in this case and take a stand to help rural...

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (14 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I dtosach is mian liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire agus tréaslú leis de bharr a cheapacháin arís mar Aire Rialtais. Is cruthú ann féin é sin go bhfuil sách jab déanta aige, agus tá an-áthas ormsa go pearsanta go mbeidh sé in ann leanúint ar aghaidh leis an obair a bhí idir lámha aige — agus go raibh rud é ar a shaothar i gcónaí. A famous Irish Fenian and patriot from...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I dtosach, is mian liom aontú leis na cainteoirí eile agus an Seanadóir Nic Gearailt a d'ardaigh ceist na Gaeilge anseo ar maidin. Thóg mé faoi deara le tamall fada anuas go bhfuil borradh nua ann ó thaobh na Gaeilge de — ní amháin go bhfuil dea-thoil i gceist, ach go bhfuil daoine ag iarraidh rudaí praiticiúla a dheanamh chun an Gaeilge a chleachtadh agus a chur chun cinn. Ní...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have stated many times that I always have been taken by his integrity at all times. He is a unique politician in that regard and I do not believe I have ever heard him criticising other people in that context.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Certainly, he has a wide knowledge of his portfolio. He spoke on such issues in this Chamber on many occasions and I look forward to working with him, as well as with all the other Ministers and Ministers of State. In particular, I take Senator Paul Coghlan's point on our interest in, and commitment to, the built heritage in Ireland. One could not live in Cashel without saying that,...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Taoiseach has given us an insight into his vision and leadership priorities. In so doing, he has set in train a debate on the Ireland to which we aspire. He has generated hope that we may be on the threshold of a new era. In particular, he queried whether the 1916 leaders would be pleased with the rampant materialism that has taken hold of the heart of society. He has dusted off the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We know from many of the debates we have had in this House on various issues that people are reflecting on the society they want. There is significant concern about issues such as alcohol abuse, deprivation and the dreadful violence occurring regularly throughout the State. I hope the Taoiseach will come to the Chamber for a discussion on these matters. His statements were neither...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I did not intend speaking on the Lisbon treaty but I must say that I listened to the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, speak in this House and I was thrilled with the manner in which he handled the debate here. He interacted with everybody in the House, he had his finger on the pulse and had a complete understanding of what the Lisbon treaty is about. After having listened to him, I made the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the comments of Senators Mullen and Hanafin regarding abortion. We all know there is no connection between the issue of abortion in Ireland, for instance, and the Lisbon treaty yet on the other hand we know there is a fear abroad that if our traditional pro-life stance on abortion is to change, the prompting for that is likely to come from outside the country. It does not matter...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I praised him in the House many times for doing so. I hardly think he is doing this without a nod and a wink from within officialdom. It is vital we continue to take a stand to arrive at a proper peace with justice, as we have achieved in Northern Ireland. One of the reasons we hear so little about it currently is because we are in the throes of a presidential election in America. It is a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá áthas orm go bhfuil socrú ann maidir le "Dingle — Daingean Uí Chúis". Ní dóigh liom go gcabhraíonn conspóid den tsaghas seo le chur chun cinn na Gaeilge. Is cinnte nach bhfuil sé i ndáil leis an dea-thoil atá ann don teanga ar fud na tíre. Bheadh sé i bhfad níos fearr coimhlint den sórt seo a sheachaint, más féidir.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tugaim faoi ndeara le blianta fada anuas an dea-thoil atá ann don Ghaeilge. Tá an t-aontas atá ann i leith na Gaeilge thar a bheith soiléir sa Teach seo. Is é sin an bunchloch is fearr. Má fhéachaimid siar ar stair na Gaeilge, tógfaimid faoi ndeara go raibh go leor easaontas ann le blianta fada. Is minic gur bhain easaontas den tsaghas sin leis an pholaitíocht. Ní chóir go...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (24 Apr 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire freisin. Senator Buttimer made a great case for Cork as the tourism capital of Ireland. An important thing to remember is that possibly every parish could make the same claim. That was the point the Minister was making in his address. I live in Cashel and can look out right across the Rock of Cashel. For me, it symbolises our great heritage and indicates the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is usually a cause for celebration when a country holds a record in an area of activity. We have had many reasons to celebrate in the past, but we hold one record now which is more of a cause for shame than celebration, namely, alcohol abuse. We hold a number of European records at present. It does not make good reading to know that 54% of Irish adults engage in binge drinking on a...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Unless we consider the mindset and culture which is causing this problem, those of us in the Seanad — probably not myself but the younger Members — in ten or 20 years' time will be discussing this issue, but at different level. I would like an all-day debate, and not only on the level of alcohol intake permitted for driving or pub closing hours. We will always look for scapegoats, but...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement we are celebrating the achievement of the impossible. I would not like to think it was a replay of the syndrome as to who was in the GPO in 1916. That is the wrong way to approach this. Senator Butler made a comment regarding a united Ireland. My honest belief is that the people on this island are now united. That was evident when the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: He must be given credit for that.