Results 201-220 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I ask the Senator to allow me to speak.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: People talk about bondholders as if they are some mythical creatures in other countries. The reality is that some of the largest bondholders in Irish banks are local authorities, credit unions and so forth. Has the House debated who are the bondholders and who would be affected if the Irish banking system were brought down? Does the Fine Gael Party seek to do something completely different...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I have spoken to Fine Gael Party spokespersons on finance as well as some of the party's Senators and Deputies.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I would like to know what is different about the Fine Gael Party's plans for the banking system because I am not aware of the difference.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We must have an honest debate on this issue. Senator O'Toole indicated that we are dealing with the least worst option. If the Fine Gael Party has a magic wand solution for the banking system, I would like to hear what it is because I have not heard it thus far.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Senator Quinn's proposal as regards good news is a good suggestion. It is important to have good spirits both in this House and indeed in the country. I refer to my earlier comments as regards the Romanian Senate which unanimously passed a decree to the effect that there should be 50% good news and 50% bad news in newspapers. Unfortunately, it appears it was not possible to define what was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: As regards questions for the Leader, I support the call for a debate by Senator O'Reilly, which was good news, as regards co-op wind farms. That certainly is a good suggestion, and he might also look into the idea of biogas. Other countries such as Germany have strong biogas industries, while in Ireland there is great potential but actually zero-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Yes, indeed it is and we are working on it. Finally, there is a volcano erupting in Iceland which indeed is an act of God, but-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Indeed, there is an enormous amount of hot air. I call for a debate on this because there are quite important implications. If a member of my party had suggested a few weeks ago that all the planes in Europe were going to be grounded because of a volcano in Iceland, Members opposite would have suggested we were all sandal-wearing, bearded, muesli-eating hippies-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: In all seriousness-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: -----this matter has huge implications for our country. This is an island nation and many multinationals here rely on airplanes for exporting produce from this country.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: This is a serious matter which requires a full debate in the House.

Seanad: Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage. (20 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Given that the current structure has been in place for 30 years, it is appropriate that we examine it afresh. It is welcome, therefore, that the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009 has come before us for our consideration. However, while it contains a number of positive measures, I am concerned as a Senator from Galway that we might lose the local focus which has developed over the years. Whenever...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I call for a debate on the future of sheep farming because the sheep farmers in the west are under great threat. The cost of shearing a sheep is now dearer than the price fetched for a fleece. There is also a demographic issue with many of the younger generation not taking up sheep farming. The carpet in Dáil Éireann was manufactured in Galway with wool from the west. Carpet...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Dogs, including the famous one on "The Late Late Show" recently, can command stud fees of up to €1 million for their owners. Many of the greyhound industry dogs are sold for thousands of euro yet it is believed rural Ireland will collapse if a €6 one-off fee is imposed on breeders.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It is important to have a debate on this matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: This is a trumped-up claim. Fine Gael is missing the point about rural Ireland by focusing on the wrong debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Fine Gael is protecting big farmers and the wealthy.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I call on the Leader for a debate on a slightly different subject, namely, the conservation of our environment. While Members have many debates on the economy and on the human impact on the country, no matter what is happening with regard to our economy, we have a fantastic natural environment and are very lucky people. Before the existing banks ever were invented, we had banks of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I join with Senators O'Toole, Ellis and Quinn in calling for an important debate on participation in politics. We held a good debate last night on women's participation in politics and I hope to contribute to it when it resumes. There is a discussion on Article 41 and the belief that it needs to be updated in a future referendum, but it is important we keep the debate in context. I would...