Results 241-260 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It is having an enormous impact on this country. In some ways it may-----

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We shall allow the Minister of State to pronounce the volcano later.

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Indeed. His Icelandic is far better than mine and I defer to him on that. It is interesting because it highlights the fact that we bring in so many food products by flying them in from other countries. If we can produce these products locally, should we fly them in, burning up carbon in so doing? The importing of people is an entirely different matter but should we fly in products from...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I make a serious point concerning the quality of Irish food. We must focus on that quality in this country because while we cannot compete with the huge monocultures of very large countries elsewhere, such as Brazil, we can compete in the high quality of locally produced food. I refer again to what Senator Prendergast said. The Green Party is taking a very proactive approach in encouraging...

Seanad: Code of Conduct for Civil Servants: Motion (12 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That is the oldest trick in the book.

Seanad: Code of Conduct for Civil Servants: Motion (12 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I listened with interest to the comments of all Senators. Senator Twomey spoke about the whistleblower's charter and he is absolutely right. We need to look at the options that will stamp out corruption in our public service and in our society. It is an endless fight and there are many different ideas. Perhaps Senator Twomey and Fine Gael might support the Kenny report in future. It was...

Seanad: Code of Conduct for Civil Servants: Motion (12 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The Senator is being somewhat naive in respect of that matter.

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe, who has replaced the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. This is a very interesting debate. Various speakers made some intriguing comments. Senator Harris stated that he worked for RTE for 25 years. That is a long period in which to have worked in the media. The change in those 25 years has been extraordinary. When Senator Harris began working in...

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I have not come across that. The Minister of State is well ahead of the game where these sites are concerned; he was blogging and doing all sorts of other wonderful things before I had even heard of them. It is important that we have robust debates about how the media are affecting and will affect society. Senator Quinn referred to the potential of buying up programming for political...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I endorse those comments of Senator Regan. I also refer to the comments of Senator Hanafin with regard to same-sex marriage. After the civil partnership Bill has gone through the Houses, it would be wholly appropriate to have a referendum on same-sex marriage. With regard to the comments made by Senators Keaveney and Glynn, I ask for a debate on levels of violence and intimidation within...

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Let us have no discrimination against men, please.

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That is her name.

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much welcome the Minister of State responsible for children to the House. It is very important that there be a Minister of State responsible for children. We are here to discuss the report of the Ombudsman for Children. It is very important that there be an ombudsman for children. Senator Mullen stated all the Government seems to do is produce reports. That is always a criticism of...

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Perhaps we are all children of the universe. I remember meeting the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, as a child. He was not a Minister of State then. He was a young fellow and I do not know whether he was in short pants. I cannot quite remember that much. I believe he was on the rugby field at the time. Senator Cannon made a number of very interesting points. He said the context of...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I refer to the powerful contribution of Senator Ó Murchú and his use of the word "hope", which is important. The word is commonly used by the US President, Barack Obama, who wrote a book entitled, The Audacity of Hope. I am a great believer in consensus politics to lead the country and enable Members of both Houses to work together for its betterment. We often have tit for tat exchanges,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: He is not here.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much welcome and endorse Senator Alex White's comments. What happened yesterday in international waters near Gaza was absolutely despicable. I knew people on some of the boats, including Senator Daly who is in the House today. He was on one of the boats going to Cyprus. I call for debates on two other issues, one of which was raised with me in the last few days, that is, rents,...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much welcome Senator Bradford's suggestion on a debate on early school leavers and support his call. Senator Hanafin's comment that Ireland is the Saudi Arabia of green energy is a good and important statement and I certainly welcome consistent debates on that topic because it is crucial to the future of this country. I get a little nervous, however, when specific groups are referred...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I understand that.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am referring to that point. It is vital we move to a much more transparent system of expenses. It is not only Senators or Deputies who need to have their expenses examined. The entire public service expenses regime throughout the country should be fully transparent, and that goes for broadcasters, public servants and others.