Results 1,341-1,360 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Minister's statement to the House this evening gave us an indication of the affluent base that we are now looking at. This has its own impact on tourism. If one looks back at the tourism industry in the 1950s, 1960s and even into the 1970s, it was totally different. It was more folksy and much of the tourism trade that Ireland received at that time was largely from Irish-Americans. They...

Seanad: Constitution for Europe: Statements. (18 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I dtosach, is mian liom a rá, go bhfuil an-áthas ormsa go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ag tarlu. Níl aon amhras faoi, ach go raibh ard-chaighdeán ann agus go pearsanta, chabraigh sé liomsa a thuiscint cad díreach a bhí i gceist i mbunreacht na hEorpa. Ní hamháin an rud a bhí scríofa ann ach an cúlra a bhaineann leis agus na féidearthachtaí atá taobh istigh den mhíniú sin...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (17 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is mian liom tréaslú leis an Aire agus leis a oifigigh toisc an Bille seo a chur ar fáil ach chomh maith leis sin toisc go raibh sé sásta go mórmhór ligean dos na Seanadóirí a dtuairimí a chur trasna agus aird a thabhairt ar na tuairaimí sin. I compliment the Minister and his officials on the manner in which this matter has been handled. We had an excellent debate in the Seanad and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator O'Toole raised a relevant point on the availability of RTE throughout Northern Ireland. Whatever reasons, technical or political, existed in the past for such an inadequacy, they are certainly gone at this stage. We are all proud of RTE in so far as it adopts a balanced approach to both national and international events. I recently hosted a group from the Unionist and loyalist...

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: If one is a woman.

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I compliment the Minister for tackling a time bomb which many people would like to ignore. The dictum that old heads cannot be placed on young shoulders contains an element of truth in the context of pensions schemes. Some years ago, an exceptionally lucrative pension scheme I offered to a young lady was refused. Due to our difference in age, I could not understand her refusal. Her response...

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: People will not mind if we reminisce in this House. I grew up in an era of relative deprivation. I remember that in my home money was placed near the Child of Prague for the milkman and for insurance and other bills. A sense of thrift existed and a small sum was always left over. Everybody likes to discuss his or her first job and the wages that it brought. In my first job as a law clerk, I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator Ryan's call for solidarity in support of a person whom most people believe is an icon of free speech and human rights. Those of us living in a democracy find it hard to understand why any regime would want to stifle the expression of free speech. Inherent in this arrest is a snub to our President. It is important that this Chamber takes the opportunity to find a mechanism of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Recently when the people of Iraq voted in elections and expressed their democratic preferences, we rightly lauded them. Likewise, we should laud people in Northern Ireland who voted and expressed their democratic choices. Although we may not like the results on one side or the other, the message for us is that we must listen carefully. Why do people vote for one side or another in an election...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second and Subsequent Stages. (5 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Fáiltím roimh an Aire. Reachtaíocht teicniúil é seo agus leag sé amach na fíricí agus tá sé soiléir ón méid a dúirt an Seanadóir McHugh go bhfuil muid ar aon aigne faoi. The Minister has outlined the reason for this piece of legislation. I compliment him and his officials on bringing it to our attention promptly and, as Senator McHugh remarked, for giving us a briefing which...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second and Subsequent Stages. (5 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Now.

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2005: Motion for Earlier Signature. (5 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2 of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2005 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2005: Motion for Earlier Signature. (5 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Senator Brian Hayes raised a very interesting point regarding the bizarre website where students are supposed to rate their teachers. I have spoken to several teachers who found it to be particularly hurtful. They find it hurtful because it is anonymous. It is unclear if the comments even come from a pupil. A conspiracy could exist against an individual and it is very ungenerous for young...

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I compliment the Minister on his pro-active role in bringing this process to a very successful conclusion. He set the tone of the debate by pointing out that we will all win if the guidelines are observed and implemented. As a co-founder of the Irish Rural Dwellers Association, I have been at the coalface of this process for many years. Initially, I...

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: He said quite innocently, but coyly, that he was only an ordinary humble parish priest and not an accountant. However, he could say this much, that the cost of the infrastructure for the DART and maintaining a single carriage would pay for his airport.

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: He was making a case for rural Ireland. Everybody can now see that people can get their flights in Luton and return to Mayo. They can come with their families from Britain and spend their money. My point is that if there is an urban-rural divide developing, it is not rural Ireland that is creating it. It is created by people who are opposing development in rural Ireland. These guidelines are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have never experienced such a unifying approach on the Irish language as that seen on the issue of achieving official working status for it in the EU.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This House can take a great deal of credit for that. One of the best things that happened was that all the political parties, possibly in an historic sense, signed a motion that we debated. No one was more proactive in his support than Senator Ryan for which I certainly give him credit. There will be a great deal of disappointment in the country if we are not successful. Having listened to...

Seanad: International Interests in Mobile Equipment (Cape Town Convention) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (27 Apr 2005)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Fáiltím roimh an Aire agus na hoifigigh freisin. I agree with much of what Senator Mansergh said. He moved away from the debate slightly but spoke a good deal of sense. I could identify with many of the sentiments he expressed, something to which I will return shortly. This legislation is both important and relevant for Ireland. That is underlined by the near unanimity with which it has...