Results 1,581-1,600 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I would also welcome a debate on Northern Ireland, particularly if it was held in the spirit of previous debates. There is always a temptation when there is a hiccup in the peace process, no matter how large, to revert to issuing recriminations. The success of the peace process to date is that its architects have been able to involve all interested parties in Northern Ireland. That is why we...

Seanad: Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption: Motion. (7 May 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is significant that this debate is taking place. Recently there have been more debates in the Oireachtas and the media about alcohol abuse. It is strange that this problem has been with us for so long but it took RTE's "Prime Time" programme to expose anti-social behaviour throughout the State as a result of alcohol abuse by young people. When parents saw young females being brought to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Apr 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In referring to the case of Senator Higgins and Deputy Howlin, Senator Brain Hayes has raised an appropriate and important issue that is relevant to every Oireachtas Member. It impacts on the effectiveness and functioning of parliament. There is a need for a debate, certainly on the financial aspects of the case but also on the broader issues. People are anxious to know what are our views. We...

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 9. (9 Apr 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá nithe bunúsacha ardaithe, i ndáiríre, ag an Seanadóir Ó Riain. Más rud é nach bhfuil ar ár gcumas an rud atá i gceist ag an Seanadóir a dhéanamh maidir leis an nGaeilge, glacaim gur ionann é sin agus a rá nach bhfuil ag eirí linn. Bhí dhá rud lárnach sa díospóireacht a bhí againn inné. I dtosach, an stádas atá ag an Ghaeilge sa Bhunreacht, nó an ceart atá ag an...

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 9. (9 Apr 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Níl sé sásúil ná ceart nach féidir seirbhís a fháil trí Ghaeilge ar an mbonn. Tá an ceart ag an Seanadóir Ó Riain. Má bhíonn duine ag lorg cabhrach caithfear an rud a phlé as Béarla. Níl sé sin sásúil.

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 9. (9 Apr 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Níl a fhios agam cé chomh tábhachtach is atá sé díreach ag an am seo, ach i gcónaí, éiríonn leis an Seanadóir Ó Riain rud a rá a spreagann diospóireacht. Níl mé 100% ar a thaobh sa rud seo, ach tuigim an rud atá i gceist aige ag an am gcéanna. Is breá liomsa tuarascáil a fheiceáil i nGaeilge, fiú munar féidir liom í a thuiscint. Ar slí, cabhraíonn sé leis an...

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 12. (9 Apr 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Seo an cheist is tábhachtaí atá á phlé againn anois maidir leis an mBille – conas is féidir é seo a chur i gcrích agus cé chomh tapaidh agus cé chomh héifeachtach agus is féidir linn é a dhéanamh? Tá tuairim agam nach treoirlínte amháin a bheidh i gceist ná ag teastáil ó na comhlachtaí poiblí seo. Beidh cabhair ag teastáil chomh maith le gach rud eile. Táim cinnte...

Seanad: Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). SECTION 12. (9 Apr 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Ó ham go chéile bíonn seans againn sa Seanad labhairt faoi rudaí áirithe i rith na bliana, ní amháin ar an Ord Gnó gach maidin ach fosta bíonn ráitis ann agus tagann an tAire isteach, mar a tharlaíonn leis an nGaeilge go minic. Is rí-annamh a bhíonn seans againn labhairt faoi phríomfheidmeannaigh chomhlachtaí phoiblí ach dá mba rud é go raibh mé féin i mo...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In recent years we enacted legislation to ensure that buildings of historical significance in different parts of the country would be respected and not demolished. That legislation was introduced as a result of hundreds of buildings being demolished in different areas, including the P. J. McCall house in Wexford, the de Valera cottage in the Nire Valley and many more. I am astounded to hear...

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq: Statements. (2 Apr 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is in the nature and tradition of Ireland to be at the forefront in any humanitarian mission in any part of the world and Iraq will be no exception. We are particularly fortunate to have Deputy Tom Kitt as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs. I hope he does not mind my saying so, but I have been observing him for some time and have been impressed by his work. I am glad...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuireann sé áthas croí orm bheith in ann tacú leis an reachtaíocht atá os comhair an Tí inniu mar cruthaíonn sé an gradam atá ag an tír ó thaobh traidisiúin agus staire de. Chuirfeadh sé ionadh ar éinne más rud é nach mbeadh an tír sásta dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar chomhoibriú go mór mór le cuid de na tíortha atá luaite sa Bhille. I regard this Bill as enlightened and...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: During the second debate on the Nice treaty, I met people from eastern European countries who found it very difficult to understand how a country like Ireland, with its history and the challenges that confronted it over the centuries, would not welcome those countries into the family of nations. We are all familiar with the names of the applicant states often because they are associated with...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I appreciate the Leader's comments of yesterday morning in regard to Iraq. They made me feel more comfortable. I support the call for a more regular debate on the situation there. We had a good debate in this House last week. It was very dignified and balanced and while many of us held differing views at least we could express them. I expressed my view that the war in Iraq is illegal, unjust...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I would much rather that we could express our views here than try to find our way through the fog of propaganda, coming from both sides, to which we are being exposed. I could not feel comfortable with the newspaper photograph of a defenceless Iraqi child with her limbs shattered by bombs. We in this House need to come together, irrespective of party support or affiliation, and work in a...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Amendments Nos. 4 and 5 are related and may be discussed together, by agreement.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Bhí mé ana tógtha leis an méid a bhí le rá aige. Tá fhios agam go bhfuil an trua agus an trócaire go smoir ann, nuair a deir sé rud go gcreideann sé rud agus go bhfuil sé ag iarraidh bheith cabhrach. Tá sé thar a bheith soiléir le roinnt mí anuas go bhfuil an dá thuairim ann maidir leis an gceist seo, ní amháin san Oireachtas, ach ar na...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I have never had the privilege of attending the St. Patrick's day parade in New York, but I believe it is a spectacular event. It would be in order to ask the Leader to ask the Government to convey our good wishes to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. That organisation has been a good friend to this country for many years and the parade has also been a great shop window for Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Its members have also been great hosts for Irish visitors.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: The Senator would have been permitted to take part. I understand now what Senator Norris means by freedom of speech. I now want to finish what I am saying.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Mar 2003)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: We should convey our gratitude and appreciation to the organising committee of the parade and to the AOH itself.