Results 1,181-1,200 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In recent times, a story from St. Louis attracted world headlines. A young man was abducted several years ago and presumed dead. Through vigilance and good police work he was found alive and returned to his family. We are all aware that many Irish families had a keen interest in this story. They are in a living hell as they also have loved ones who are missing. One can only imagine the...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I expect that in excess of 1 million people watched the "Late Late Toy Show". Members who watched it will recall that the star of the show was a little girl from Limerick who, at a very tender age, experienced what it is like to be on the receiving end of man's inhumanity to man. She and her little brother received horrific burns as a result of an arson attack on their mother's car. The...

Seanad: Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is mian liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Fahey, agus an Aire, an Teachta O'Donoghue, a bhí anseo roimhe. Déarfainn go bhfuilimid go léir ar aon aigne go bhfuil sé suimiúil, oiriúnach agus áisiúil go bhfuil díospóireacht mar seo ar siúl sa Seanad. Tá an t-ádh linn, dar ndóigh, go bhfuil scoláirí den scoth ag glacadh páirte sa díospóireacht seo agus go...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I seldom disagree with Senator Maurice Hayes. Apart from the great work he has done with regard to North-South relationships, we all have great respect for the energy and wisdom he has brought to bear on these issues. On the other hand, any comments Senator Walsh has made on the Northern issue and his involvement in various committees have always been balanced. I do not suggest where or...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The murderous and mischievous involvement of Britain in acts of terrorism in Ireland will come as no surprise to many people. While others endeavoured to find a solution to the difficult Northern problem, Britain was at the heart of the problem, fuelling it and obstructing democrats trying to find a solution. While they were butchering the people of Ireland on the streets, their leaders...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In other circumstances the British Government would be before a tribunal accused of war crimes. However, we know that will not happen. We also know Britain will not be held accountable because this matter will end in a fudge. I am sick and tired of the hypocrisy of world leaders. Language has lost all meaning and people have been denied just, reasonable and accountable leadership. Debate...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Amárach beidh na rialacháin nua maidir le reachtaíocht i leith na Gaeilge á phlé sa choiste, agus beidh comharthaí bóithre mar chuid den díospóireacht sin. Chabhródh sé go mór soiléiriú a dhéanamh cá bhfuil na rialacháin i láthair na huaire agus cad é todhchaí na Gaeilge. Bheadh an-díomá orm dá mbeadh aon chúlú maidir leis na cearta sibhialta a bhain muintir na...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I commend the Minister for the tenacity of his efforts to reform and modernise the prison system. Although he may not refer to it, I can imagine the vested interests he has to tackle, in the same way as those who are trying to reform the health system. The prison regime is an exceptional problem but he has researched it well and has a vision for it. One is caught between a rock and a hard...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I, too, wish to take up the question of ethical issues. There was a time when people who focused on such issues were depicted as old-fashioned, irrelevant, not politically correct, out of step with the economic culture and so on. This created a vacuum which was often filled by vested interests who wanted to promote an issue contrary to beliefs of people in this country. Recently I have...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Aontaíom freisin go mba chóir go mbeadh díospóireacht maidir leis an Ghaeilge agus aon rialacháin atá i gceist ag an Aire a chur i bhfeidhm. Sin ceann de na buanna a bhaineann leis an Aire céanna, go mbíonn sé i gcónaí ar fáil le teacht isteach sa Teach seo le héisteacht le agus páirt a ghlacadh i ndíospóireachtaí. I do not honestly accept that most Irish people are agnostic...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: At that time, the same arguments about cost were put forward, but TG4 has proved to be an outstanding success. The very same thing happened when people argued over the cost of providing Gaelscoileanna, which now constitute one of the most successful educational outlets. I am always surprised, particularly in the context of human rights, that we never stop to think of the frustration and...

Seanad: Drug Misuse: Statements (16 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, to the House and compliment him on his work in this portfolio. Most accept that he has an exceptionally proactive profile. He adopts a no-nonsense approach to what he must do and he is not prepared to become defeatist. As he stated, there is no quick solution to the problem, which is generally accepted. Indeed, if we want to understand...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: From time to time, those of us who watch television see examples of the two extremes at which medical practitioners use their skills. On the one hand, they offer extreme makeovers to people who are unhappy with wrinkles or the shape of their nose or ears while, on the other, they are prepared to do something for youths from undeveloped countries whose faces have been taken over by malignant...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Those of us who set out our stalls from day one and opposed the invasion of Iraq believed we were reflecting the decency and fair-mindedness of the American people. This has been borne out by the results of the mid-term elections in the United States in recent days. What happened in those terrible years was immoral and unjustified. The question now is, where do we go from here? We must...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I read a very disturbing report today, which should be a source of great concern to all reasonable people. I refer to the case of the young pregnant woman in Limerick who was arrested and put in prison because she owed a few hundred euro as a result of a road tax court case. I am told that within the prison she was highly traumatised, was acting uncontrollably and was within days of giving...

Seanad: Official Languages Act 2003: Statements (1 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I dtosach, is mian liom fáilte a chuir roimh an Aire agus, go mórmhór, an ráiteas a chuir sé os ár gcomhair inniu. Tá sé tábhachtach, i ndáiríre, na fíricí a bheith á phlé againn agus, b'fhéidir, an mhíthuiscint atá ann i láthair na huaire a chuir ar ceal. Ní dóigh liom go gcabhraíonn an mhíthuiscint sin le aon chás. Is cinnte nach gcabhraíonn sé le muintir...

Seanad: Official Languages Act 2003: Statements (1 Nov 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Labhraíonn sé as Gaeilge sa Teach seo go minic. Is trua é nach mbíonn níos mó den Ghaeilge le cloisteáil anseo. Tuigim nach bhfuil aon drochthoil i gceist sa díospóireacht seo. Is maith an rud é go gcuireann an bheirt againn ár dtuaraimí ar aghaidh go minic ar an Ord Gnó. I slí, cruthaíonn sé sin go bhfuil an Ghaeilge beo — gur beo-theanga atá i gceist. Bheadh ár lá...

Seanad: Mental Health Commission Report 2005: Statements (19 Oct 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is that agreed? Agreed. Senators Kitt and Feeney have five minutes each.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On the Leas Cross report, most people agree the Minister for Health and Children would not show favour or turn a blind eye were an issue of public concern to arise. Her curriculum vitae is a model of propriety and accountability for all legislators. For this reason, it is evident that her hands are tied in regard to publication of the Leas Cross report. While we all have concerns about...

Seanad: Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Motion (18 Oct 2006)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I listened to the Minister's contribution and felt he struck the right note of balance. Based on his own legal background, it underlined many of the complexities involved and the harmonisation that must occur between the exercise of pre-nuptial agreements and the law as it exists at present. That note has been also struck by Senators O'Meara and Mansergh, which may be important at the...