Results 121-140 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It used to be said a week is a long time in politics but we can now say a day is a long time in politics, especially with the advent of new media and the pace of change. A number of Senators referred to symphysiotomy. I have been a campaigner for natural birth for many years and I would like a debate on maternity services in Ireland. We have an outdated system. Many procedures, including...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We need to examine the active management of labour and to have a proper debate on the issue. I support the call by Senators Reilly and Buttimer for a debate on tourism. We could very much do with that. It is an important day in that the mayoralty of Dublin will be launched. I call for a debate on that as well. This is part of a political reform package that needs to be rolled out in other...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (24 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I commend Fine Gael on tabling this motion. It is important that it is discussed. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy Moloney. I thank Senator O'Toole for his comments. This is an important debate. I wish to refer again to the section from the revised programme for Government, which says that we are committed to the implementation of the...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (24 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am not the Minister.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (24 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I wish to make an important point. It is regrettable that Senators are suggesting that this is not something on which we need to work together. This is so important and everyone on all sides of the House should work together on it.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (24 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I thank Senator Healy Eames. It is one of the most crucial debates we have had in this House in a long time. It is vital that we look after those in society who have the greatest difficulty. I have a son in a special needs, ABA, school. It is crucial we consider educational needs from the point of view of the child. It is the child who must come first. It must be acknowledged that we...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (24 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Music therapy was also mentioned. There are many other types of therapy and I am just giving those as examples. We need to consider programmes whereby we can allow people who wish to help children to do so because there is a need. Many parents, including me in the past, have struggled enormously to get the basic services. Early intervention was mentioned in the context of individual...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I support the calls for a series of debates on job creation. I welcome the speculation in today's newspaper about a Cabinet reshuffle with an emphasis on the creation of jobs.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I do not know what Opposition Members are guffawing about.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The Government has put together an excellent document about the smart economy. Many different types of jobs are being created. The green economy, in particular, is providing tens of thousands of jobs every year and it will continue to do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The west has a great opportunity to substitute €6 billion in renewable energy projects for €6 billion in fossil fuels, which equates to a €12 billion increase in the economy. There are great opportunities if we take them. I reject the notion that Michael O'Leary is the only man in the country who can provide jobs. Many different people could provide jobs and we need to focus on a...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That is a red herring not a red deer. The Senator does not believe that.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: This is nonsense.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: This is out of order.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: This is a red herring.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I support calls by Senator Harris for a debate on older people. I notice that debates on older people, children and so on are lined up. The forgotten group is always us middle-aged people with our middle-aged spread and various other things we have, which I shall not mention in the House. I call for a debate on information technology, the sector with which I would be most associated. It is...

Seanad: Primary Care Centres (2 Mar 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney, and congratulate him on the various initiatives he is bringing forward. I very much support Senator Bradford in this regard. As I have walked and cycled throughout my constituency, I know it is 100 miles long. As we see centres of excellence developing at a high level and given that some local hospitals are closing, it is important we...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Is it permissible under the rules of the Order of Business for leaders of the Opposition to raise matters of speculation about my political party?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It is a matter of speculation and I can assure the House the Green Party will not be deflected from the business of government by idle speculation.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Coming from the Labour Party, speculation on rotation is extraordinary in view of the previous policy of rotating taoisigh.