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

Seanad: National Paediatric Hospital: Statements (17 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney. I thought I was taking part in a debate on the national paediatric hospital only to find I am taking part in a debate on metro north and the transport situation in Dublin. I always find it quite amusing that when people talk about access to national facilities, such as the proposed national paediatric hospital, they talk about it very much in...

Seanad: National Paediatric Hospital: Statements (17 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Senator Mary White spoke of her embarrassment about some of the facilities currently available. That is a sad state of affairs.

Seanad: National Paediatric Hospital: Statements (17 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I listened carefully to the Minister's speech. She quoted what parents have said to her. She said they do not care where the hospital is located and that she should just make it happen. That is a crucial point. I do not know the ins and outs of whether people can park beside the Mater hospital or whether they will not be able to park there in the future when this hospital is built. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I also join other Members in expressing my sympathies and condolences to all concerned with the tragic events in counties Cork and Limerick. I am very concerned about these events because two obviously similar events happened in close proximity to each other. I recognise there is great stress and strain on families at present and Members must take heed of what has happened. While I hope...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am delighted to welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I want to make the case for the provision of a secondary school in Claregalway which is urgently needed. There are constant traffic problems in the area, as well as problems with sewerage. The population of the area has grown enormously in recent years and one of the problems is that there is no secondary school in the...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I ask for a clarification regarding the Minister of State's reply which states, "It is anticipated that the schools will be ready for occupation in summer 2013". Is this a reference to the school at Doughiska or does it also refer to the proposed school at Claregalway?

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: There is an urgent need for a school. The local people who have children in very difficult situations need clarity on when the proposed school will be available. I ask the Minister of State to clarify what will be the earliest possible date for the opening of the school.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I was very interested to hear the previous speaker. I will not follow it, I will try to keep calm. I was also interested to hear the comments of Senator Ó Murchú who spoke about the old catch cry of Sinn Féin, which was "sinn féin amháin". This is the spirit that perhaps we need to look at. We need to look at the national spirit. We cannot have it both ways. If we are going to...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: They will still have shelter and housing. We can get through this crisis and it is important that we all believe this. We have to have a way through it, and the way Senator Dearey spoke about was looking at the Green Party agenda and the things we can do. It is quite clear that the Green Party new deal is something that will get not only Ireland but also Europe and the world out of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We can get through it and we need to focus on that.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I wish to add my support to the point made earlier by Senator Reilly. We are coming to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It is important the House recognises this. Commemorating the First World War dead is a matter for which we have to be big enough to accept as an important part of our history and heritage. I support the calls for the debate on the massive potential in...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The Senator is correct but the reality is that over 50% of our energy needs on three separate occasions have been supplied by renewable energy. We are improving greatly in this area and a debate on it is needed.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I support any calls for a debate on the Ombudsman. We have five Ombudsman positions in this country. The Seanad is the place to have a much closer link to those independent voices. I would support any debate in that respect.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I will not be pressed on how I am going to vote in future votes.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Thank you. The main issue on which I would like to call for a debate-----

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: -----is eco-tourism. We have raised this matter many times. There is great potential in this country for ecotourism that is not being realised at present. I have been lobbied on the matter on a number of occasions. I call for a proper and fulsome debate on ecotourism because we do not have a fully coherent plan for it. I accept Fáilte Ireland has produced certain documents on it but I...

Seanad: Effects of Recession on Mental Health: Statements (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am delighted the Acting Chairman is being generous with time to enable Senators express their angst, thus ensuring their mental health is catered for in the House. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, who receives much praise, and rightly so, in this Chamber. The issue of mental health is important to the Seanad. It is an issue which thankfully all parties are agreed on. A...

Seanad: Effects of Recession on Mental Health: Statements (10 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Yes, we were. Let us hope it can continue. Meditation is important. An over-reliance on tobacco, drugs or alcohol is not good. I am sure the Licensed Vintners Association will not be happy to hear me say that. It is important to focus on what is good. We should be counting our blessings. Many people in this country are stressed and fearful of the recession. While many people are badly...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I agree with Senator Bradford who has made a valid point. I agree with other Senators also. People cannot be bullied into consensus. The Green Party is not proposing anyone should be bullied into adopting a consensus position, rather it is stating we all need to pull together because this is a very tough time. I want to see a debate on the economy take place. I agree with Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: A maximum wage should be introduced and linked with the national minimum wage. I propose that it be around eight times the national minimum wage, not 50, which is obscene. We must deal with higher wage earners. No one in the public sector should be earning more than the Taoiseach.