Results 81-100 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I had assumed that to be the case and have had some correspondence on the issue with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform but I was not sure whether he had sole responsibility in this area. I have received queries from two very competent auctioneers and valuers in County Donegal, one in my own constituency and the other in Donegal North-East. The people in question are two of...

Seanad: Mine Disaster (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Tá lúcháir orm go bhfuil an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Smith, anseo tráthnóna inniu. I am pleased to have this opportunity to raise the issue of the Ballymanus mine disaster on behalf of the families who lost loved ones in the disaster on the evening of 10 May 1943 in Ballymanus, which is located along the Donegal coastline between Annagry and Kincasslagh. In 1943, when the Second World...

Seanad: Mine Disaster (23 Apr 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Smith, for his response which was quite comprehensive. While we all acknowledge that an investigation may serve no purpose at this stage, 65 years on, I ask the Minister of State to convey the following to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to whom I wish to speak on the matter shortly. We should examine the verdict of the inquest and...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Roche, to the Chamber during this important debate on the EU reform treaty or, as it is commonly know, the Lisbon treaty. As the world's largest trading bloc, the EU is crucial to Ireland's future economic and trading strategy. Irish trade in merchandise with the EU-25 in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 May 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Today is a historic day on which we bid farewell to one era and usher in a new one. I join my colleagues in thanking the outgoing Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, for all he has done. His greatest legacy will be to have brought peace to the island of Ireland. I also welcome the new Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, who, like the Cathaoirleach, is an Offaly man. Many people from the county are...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: There has been much debate on the Lisbon reform treaty and today an article in the Irish Independent states that the "No" campaign will spend approximately €3.5 million in spreading its message. That campaign includes the Libertas group which will spend excessive amounts of money on the same errand. I am not sure where this group comes from nor how it is funded. Many people would like...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements (Resumed) (21 May 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to refer first to the European Union. The discussion on the WTO talks impacts on the reform treaty referendum of 12 June. The European Union has been hugely advantageous to Irish farming and agriculture. Having grown up on a very small farm in west Donegal, I know the benefits of the CAP have been advantageous to Irish agriculture, particularly for small farmers in the west and...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to raise the issue of the fishermen in France who are protesting about high fuel costs by blocking ports. This is having a direct impact on many fishermen on the west coast, particularly in my own county of Donegal. Crab and lobster fishermen are being prevented from exporting their product to France. France imports approximately 13 million tonnes of crab annually, a significant...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Tá lúcháir orm go bhfuil an Aire anseo linn um thráthnóna. Bhí sé ag obair go crua inniu. Tá sé anseo déanach san oíche. Tá mé buíoch go bhfuil Aire sinsear anseo chun na ceiste a ghlacadh. I appreciate the presence of a Cabinet Minister in the House at this time of night to take this Adjournment matter. It reflects his personal commitment to Seanad Éireann, which I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (19 Jun 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to refer to the fishing industry in this country, which is currently experiencing major difficulties. The global cost of fuel is impinging negatively on the industry and it is affecting fishing fleets on the west coast, the east coast and the south coast of the country. I applaud the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and the Minister of State,...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support Senator O'Donovan's call for a debate on the fishing industry. I raised the issue last week and I hope the Leader will facilitate such a debate in the next few weeks. It is an industry on its knees at the moment and we need to be seen to support it. I also support Senator de Búrca's point on the World Trade Organisation talks, especially the proposal from Peter Mandelson to...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: If we continue on that basis——

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: ——many young people that I know will not take out a mortgage because they will not have the confidence to do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I would appeal through the Chair that if we are going to have a debate——

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: ——let us have a realistic structured debate that will achieve some purpose for the people we represent rather than trying to attack each other across the Chamber. It is not going to achieve anything.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It might achieve the effect that some may desire, namely, the recession going back to 1983. However, I do not want to go back to 1983. I want to go forward and I take it everybody on the Government side of the House wants to do the same thing.

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, to the House. The Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, referred to the proposed legislation which it is hoped will be published soon. The draft housing Bill, which we hope will be presented to Government shortly, will provide a legislative footing for the delivery of homes to many people, particularly those on local authority waiting lists....

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister of State for his contribution. He is certainly a breath of fresh air in the Department and is taking all the views on board, which is very welcome. I wish him well in his portfolio and look forward to having him back in the House in the not too distant future. From listening to other Senators, some of his suggestions are more than welcome and we look forward to working...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome yesterday's proposal by the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel, to launch a scheme, valued at €90 million, to address childhood obesity by making fruit and vegetables available to schoolchildren across member states. The proposal, which must be agreed by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, is very welcome. The EU...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion. (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I second the motion. Given the ever increasing cost of energy, this is one of the most important issues faced by Ireland and the world. Anyone who drives to a service station to fill the tank of a car, jeep or bus cannot but notice the difference in price compared to six months ago. Energy is all around us and is needed for the growth or formation of almost everything. There are many...