Results 61-80 of 194 for speaker:Don Lydon

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

Don Lydon: Mr. Charles Haughey said once that the job of the Opposition is to oppose. I understand that the Opposition has to submit various motions on various topics. I would like to examine this motion in a little detail. While some of it is good, I want to make clear that some of it is not so good. This debate was started by the Tánaiste's announcement in July of last year of an initiative that will...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2006)

Don Lydon: I support the call by Senators Ó Murchú and Jim Walsh for an independent inquiry into the brutal murder of Pat Finucane. I know that an inquiry of this type may expose the duplicity of the British Government in its dealings with Irish people, but then what is new?

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Don Lydon: Following the Cathaoirleach's injunction, I will not mention Munster but I hope New York makes it to the Ulster final in Belfast.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Don Lydon: Would the Leader consider making time available to discuss No. 14 on the Order Paper, the Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006 put forward by Senator Ryan? Although the subject matter is not of interest to many people, the Bill is both timely and necessary and I would welcome a debate on it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Don Lydon: That is not enough. He should wear a red shirt.

Seanad: Middle East Peace Process: Statements. (26 Apr 2006)

Don Lydon: I wish to share time with Senators Ó Murchú and Mansergh.

Seanad: Middle East Peace Process: Statements. (26 Apr 2006)

Don Lydon: The EU has been a consistent supporter of the Palestinian people internationally. Ireland has played its part in ensuring that this is the policy. As such, it saddens me to see the removal of funding to the Palestinian Government and I cannot understand why this has been done. As previously stated, this will not help, as people will not have the money they need to govern their country. The...

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Don Lydon: The Council adopted comprehensive conclusions on a new energy policy for Europe. The Taoiseach stated that the president of the European Central Bank, Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet, had pointed out that differing economic and social models are capable of achieving similar results. The Council's conclusions on energy policy focused on three main objectives, namely, security of supply, ensuring...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Apr 2006)

Don Lydon: I seek a debate following on from what Senator O'Toole said about the effects of drink on driving. I understand that in Switzerland if one is caught drunk while driving, one loses one's licence for life. It does not mean that people do not drink or drive there, it just means they do not do the two together. Drunk driving causes a third of all accidents while drunkenness causes most of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Mar 2006)

Don Lydon: I also support the calls for a debate on ageism. I am sure we recall that when former US President Ronald Reagan was at the age mentioned by another Senator, namely 72, he went to the country and received the largest youth vote ever. I am sure all Senators read De Senectute in their schooldays and know the value of the wisdom which comes with old age, particularly for Senators.

Seanad: Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2006)

Don Lydon: This is a short but important Bill. The origin of the important concept of diplomatic immunity can probably be traced back thousands of years to a time when a king sent an emissary to another king informing him that if he did not stop fighting, he would trample over his territory. The second king then sent an emissary to the first king rejecting his demand. If one of the emissaries had been...

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Don Lydon: On 21 November 2005, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Terry Davis, wrote to the governments of all of the member states of the Council of Europe. Exercising his powers under Article 52 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Secretary General sought from each state an explanation of "the manner in which its internal law ensures the effective implementation" of...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2006)

Don Lydon: I welcome this necessary Bill. Fishing is an important part of the economy but for many years it has not received the same attention from Government that was afforded to other sectors. This harks back to the time of the negotiations with Europe when our catches were calculated on the basis of historical catch. We seem never to have seen the light of day since. Much discussion has centred on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Feb 2006)

Don Lydon: Certainly not.

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Statements. (9 Feb 2006)

Don Lydon: I welcome the Minister of State and the report. When we get a report in this country it is assumed to be gospel. Even though it is prepared by a group of experts it does not mean it constitutes the only approach. Most of the report is very good and I have no complaints about it. A Vision for Change is a comprehensive model of mental health service provision for Ireland. It is a very...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (8 Feb 2006)

Don Lydon: Having had the honour to serve with Ruairí Brugha in the same constituency for over 30 years and having been involved with him and his family on a deeply personal level it would be remiss of me to let the moment go without saying one or two words about him. So well spoken were the words of the other speakers that I will not repeat them. I knew Ruairí Brugha well. He always loved debating a...

Seanad: Development Banks Bill 2005: Second Stage. (16 Dec 2005)

Don Lydon: I listened to Senator Mooney on the monitor in my office, as is my wont when important debates are taking place. I was impressed by what he said about Taiwan and wish to support him in the context of this Bill. People in Taiwan can practise banking freely, in a good capitalist sense, and can practise one religion. Taiwan does not sterilise people or force them to have abortions as mainland...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Second Stage. (15 Dec 2005)

Don Lydon: I welcome the Minister to the House. He always makes an impact when he comes here and on a previous occasion, he gained the everlasting admiration of 99.9% of Senators present. The projected figure for spending on social welfare next year of €13.5 billion is one which I cannot even imagine. It is a phenomenal amount of money. Some have said that money would be available no matter who was in...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Second Stage. (15 Dec 2005)

Don Lydon: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Care of the Elderly: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Don Lydon: There is no need for me to go over the items noted by other speakers. I welcome the motion, and the provisions made by the Minister for Finance. It is a good package and will help the elderly. I have always said that if one finds a child or baby outside one's door in the morning, one takes it in and cares for it, but if one finds an elderly person, one might not be inclined to do so. Having...