Results 21-40 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am getting to that, Senator. There are three portions to this banking inquiry. The first, which is very important, is the scoping of this inquiry, and it is crucial. We do not want to see the banking inquiry going down the same route as the Flood, Mahon and other tribunals which have taken years, including the conclusions to the beef tribunal.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That is not the format we want. Many Members of the Opposition are talking about this particular inquiry as if the scoping has actually happened and as if the terms of reference are in place. They are not. That is going to take place over the coming time and it is important that people do not prejudice the scoping. The second portion is the commission of inquiry and if people refer to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We are working strongly to ensure public transparency and accountability will be maximised from this inquiry and we continue to work for that.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am delighted to welcome my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Governemnt, Deputy Gormley, who is absolutely committed to Seanad reform. I have spoken to him about the matter on many occasions, most recently when I saw this motion on the Order Paper. I contacted him by text message and suggested we support the motion. He was quick to reply and agree. I will...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: A referendum. He said he would like to abolish the Seanad on assuming power.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I understand that.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: His wish was to abolish the Seanad. I would like to know his rationale. I felt he was grabbing headlines, which was unfortunate. He was being outmanoeuvred by his Opposition colleague, Deputy Gilmore, and therefore felt he had to make a grand statement on abolishing the Seanad. I could make a statement in the House on abolishing Deputy Kenny with a view to looking for headlines.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Perhaps we should have a referendum on the issue. These considerations are churlish. Somebody said to me that the Roman Emperor Caligula appointed his horse as a Senator. In my locality, people were calling me a horse and I am sure many other Senators are called horses. This is nonsense. We do not appoint horses to the Seanad, thank God.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Nor do we have-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: When I look around me, I note we do not have Members falling asleep in the back chairs, as in the House of Lords in England.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I have not noticed that.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I do not see any Members falling asleep behind me. It was always a bit of fun to watch on television live coverage from the House of Lords to see how many people were falling asleep. It was quite extraordinary. That is not the system we have here. It is a great privilege to be a Senator and to be able to stand here and debate as a Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I support the calls for a debate on the decision to dissolve the NUI, particularly as NUI Galway is located in the city in which I live. The latter institution will be obliged to change its name if the dissolution proceeds. The other matter on which I seek a debate is that relating to sail training vessels. As Members are aware, the Asgard ll sank in recent months. The name "Asgard" has...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Like other Senators, I would welcome a debate on the issues of cycling and recycling. Any time a Senator calls for a debate in the House on waste policy, I will absolutely support him or her because it is a crucial issue. I very much welcome the comments of Senator O'Sullivan on cycling. The legacy of Seán Kelly and Stephen Roche is certainly in danger. Cycling is not just a matter for...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That is not true.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Stags are very different.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome this important legislation, which will provide for a much better environment for dog breeding. I am a former member of Galway City Council and there is one dog warden in the city, which is not sufficient to deal with the large number dogs, including strays, in the city. Dogs are bred for fighting, to which another Member referred earlier....

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Indeed. A point being made loud and clear by Fine Gael concerns the exemption of hunt clubs. I echo the point Senator de Búrca made that it is not good to exempt groups. Why not exempt other dog breeding establishments? Many people are involved in animal welfare. It is quite clear that most establishments which breed dogs are perfectly good. Dogs are a man's best friend and are loved...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: If this legislation works for one group of people, it should work for all groups. Why exempt one group of people? What is the purpose of this? Obviously, there must be some ulterior motive. I am not sure why Fine Gael has this ulterior motive. I do not understand the purpose of exempting breeding premises. The purpose of this legislation is to ensure a good standard, good welfare and...