Results 121-140 of 1,654 for speaker:Ned O'Sullivan

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: Our Constitution declares that the Government of our Republic is a matter for the Oireachtas, which consists of Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and Uachtarán na hÉireann. I do not claim to be a constitutional expert, but there is a clear delineation of powers and responsibilities between these three components. To put it in layman's terms, ours is first and foremost a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I ask the Cathaoirleach not to anticipate where I am going with this. I am choosing my words very carefully. I have worded my speech on the basis of advice. The President-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: -----is also Head of State, a role that is basically symbolic and ceremonial. There is an important convention which, by and large, has been observed since we adopted our Constitution, whereby none of the three branches of the Oireachtas are critical of each other. We all remember the one case in which that convention was breached. It led to the resignation of a President and a Government...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I cannot and will not address any of these individual controversies. However, I would like to make a suggestion as to how they can be avoided in future. In the first instance, the President and the Government should create a presidential liaison office. This would be helpful to both the Executive and the President. Second, a constitutional committee should be established to examine and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: There are grey areas that could eventually lead to a constitutional crisis, if left unaddressed. Third, the President could make more use of his powers to convene and address the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Constitution makes clear provision for this. It would be a proper forum for an open exchange of views and topics which are of concern to the President.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: At present, it would seem that a President - in practice, at least - can comment on the record of endeavours of the Government, but these comments may not be debated in Parliament or publicly challenged by the Government or the Opposition. I offer these thoughts and suggestions in a positive spirit. Our Constitution, with necessary amendments, has stood us in good stead since 1937. It is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jun 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I join with others in honouring the memory of Councillor Noel Collins. I knew him a long time. He was one of the last of that generation of hard-working councillors who did all their work with a pencil and notebook and delivered a great service to their constituents. He was a very hard man to canvass because he was never at home. He was always out working for the people. Ar dheis Dé...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I support the previous speaker's comments on Traveller mental health. There is a very interesting public discourse taking place on Molesworth Street. I have experience of this issue from my time in local government and I fully support it. By the way, I did not see any poster. I raise with the Leader the leaving and junior certificate examinations because we are now in the exam season. I...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: General Scheme of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022 (24 May 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I am in Leinster House but I do not have a question at this time.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Animal Welfare (18 May 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Martin Heydon.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 May 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I give a belated welcome to the establishment of the Shannon Estuary task force, which was put together in recent weeks. We in Kerry were somewhat disappointed that there is only one Kerry person on it. After all, it was set up to somewhat alleviate the disappointment we suffered when liquefied natural gas, LNG, was parked in the programme for Government.Thankfully, that programme is up and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 May 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I did not come into the Chamber to speak about the Middle East but in terms of balance it is important to point out that the most recent bout of violence in Israel started when 11 innocent Israeli citizens were slaughtered by Palestinian terrorists. I did not hear too many shouting about it. It has become an everyday occurrence in Israel for innocent men, women and children to be stabbed at...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Ukrainian Crisis: Discussion (17 May 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I am very glad that the Chair put this subject on the agenda today. It is the first opportunity that we have had to specifically look at what is happening around young people in the Ukrainian situation. I must first acknowledge and compliment the Minister and his team for the outstanding job that they are doing in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. I presume it all looks nice and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Amnesty International's Report on Israel's Apartheid against Palestinians: Ireland Israel Alliance (5 Apr 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind welcome. I do not normally attend committees of which I am not a member. I welcome the delegation to the committee. I am not one bit surprised that our guests sought to come before the committee to give an alternative view to the one that seems to be most propagated in these Houses. I am not referring to this committee per se. The committee has its...

Seanad: Election of Acting Chairperson (29 Mar 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I thank Members for elevating me for the day.

Seanad: Teachtaireacht ón Dáil - Message from Dáil (29 Mar 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: Dáil Éireann passed the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022, changed from the Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022, on 23 March 2022, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

Seanad: Teachtaireacht ó Chomhchoiste - Message from Joint Committee (29 Mar 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has completed its consideration of the Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) (No. 2) Order 2022.

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (29 Mar 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I have received notice from Senator Mark Wall that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the review of the housing adaptation and housing aid grants available through each local authority. I have also received notice from Senator Sharon...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2022)

Ned O'Sullivan: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Noonan.