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

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It only took four months; it normally takes ten years. That is a good job, but obviously the Senator disagrees.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: There are barbs from the opposite side of the House. If the Chair protected me from this nonsense, I might be able to get a little further with my contribution.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am trying to make the point that it can be difficult for new councillors because they are not properly trained when it comes to planning. In the Oireachtas a Minister is somebody who has gained a great deal of experience, but insufficient training is provided for councillors. I know of cases in which individual councillors are making serious decisions without understanding the...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: If one reads the national spatial strategy, one will see that it is an excellent document which is not proscriptive when it comes to local area plans. There is a great deal of latitude at local level in that regard. One should be properly trained to ensure good planning. Decision making is a huge responsibility. This Bill is the way to go.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I do not like the references to Stalinism because Stalin was a very bad planner. I do not want to see Stalinist type planning in cities and towns in this country, rather I want to see good planning which is what will be achieved with this Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I enjoin Senator Mark Daly's comments on mobile phone labelling. It is important to have a debate on this matter. Unlike what Senator O'Toole stated, we are discussing the labelling of phones to allow people to make up their own minds. It is not a silly season issue at all. In the past, people used to say the same about cigarettes. It is now commonly held that the health warning on...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I enjoin Senator Mary White's comments on thalidomide. This an important issue. I trust Senators from all parties are behind the call. There was a breakthrough in the committee yesterday because the Minister, Deputy Mary Harney, stated full information would be made available to the 32 thalidomide survivors. I hope their case will be fully dealt with in due course. I refer to the smart...

Seanad: Carers in Ireland: Statements (13 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State for one of the most important debates in which I have been involved. Although it is not possible, I would like the Minister for Finance to sit beside the Minister of State, given that we will soon be facing into a budgetary process that, irrespective of whether we like the idea, will place considerable pressure on front-line services. We need to ensure such...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am delighted to hear the news about Dingle, but I wish-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I refer to the issue of child protection which a number of other Senators have raised. I note that a debate on carers will be held after the Order of Business, which is to be welcomed. However, I regard this as separate from the issue of child protection. While I have no doubt child protection issues will be raised during the debate, we need a separate debate on child protection because I...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I will not take up much of the House's time but I ask the Minister to examine this important area because legislation will be needed on it in due course. The proposed amendments have great merit.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The rights of the child are important in these cases. I hope the Minister can introduce legislation at a future date.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister. This is groundbreaking legislation and I feel very proud to be standing in Seanad Éireann as a Senator. It was interesting to listen to the previous speaker. Because of what he said, I would like to explore the issue of tolerance. As we are on Second Stage, we can explore some of the issues issues rather than the specifics of the Bill. I do not see where the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: No, it was not Queen but King. "Love" and "pride" are the words I have heard more than any other. "Pride" is a word associated with the gay community. "Love" is also a very important word but is not something which can be legislated for, as previous speakers said. We are recognising people's right to feel love for each other and to find a way at last of enjoying a legal partnership. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I concur with the Senators who called for a debate on the national development plan. I am particularly interested in hearing what the Minister for Transport has to say on the western rail corridor, which is probably the most viable and cost effective project in the national development plan. I support the calls for a debate on carers. As the father of a child with disabilities, I think it...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (1 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State. Her speech was comprehensive and to the point. I acknowledge the quality of speeches today. It is an honour to speak in such a debate. There have been some responsible and heartfelt points made by Members. I note I am following a number of lady speakers. Every Member who spoke heretofore has been a lady. This demonstrates the caring nature of women and...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (1 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much support the views of other Senators that we must debate the integrity of the Seanad vis-À-vis the Dáil. Many issues have been mentioned such as the Civil Partnership Bill and the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, as have many others during the years. The former leader of the Progressive Democrats, Mr. Michael McDowell, announced a few nights ago that he had changed his view on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: -----is calling for the Seanad to be abolished. That is the wrong way to do business.