Results 121-140 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: There are 7,800 resource and learning support teachers compared with approximately 2,000 in 1998, an almost 300% increase in the number of teachers in mainstream schools supporting children with special educational needs. Some 1,100 other teachers are in our special schools supporting children while hundreds more work in special classes. How much time remains?

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 is being deferred.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is being deferred. Many sections of the Act have commenced, including those——

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: ——promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special needs and those establishing the National Council for Special Education.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Cathaoirleach and apologise, but I wish to make one point. Resource teachers and special needs assistants will continue to be deployed to meet the needs of children with special educational needs at primary and post-primary levels. Children will continue to receive an education appropriate to their needs and it is important to point out that there are no changes to current...

Seanad: Rural Development: Statements (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Tá lúcháir orm go bhfuil an tAire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta anseo linn chun plé a dhéanamh ar fhorbairt na tuaithe. Tá a lán oibre déanta san iarthar le roinnt blianta anuas chun ceantair iargúlta na tíre a fhorbairt go dtí caighdéan atá inghlactha in áiteanna eile sa tír seo agus ar fud an domhain. Tá go leor den obair sin, go háirithe an obair atá déanta...

Seanad: Fishing Industry: Statements (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This debate on the fishing industry is timely. Fisheries are one of the few natural resources available to this island. Generations of families have earned a livelihood from fishing at sea. County Donegal, with its extensive coastline, is not an exception and has many fine fishing ports, notably at Killybegs and Burtonport. Fishing activity also takes place at Arranmore Island,...

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I was listening to some of the debate on farming and agriculture, a very important industry in Ireland, especially in rural Ireland among farm families. I come from a very small farm in a rural part of County Donegal. My father was a sheep farmer and I know all too well the importance of farming to rural Ireland. I know, in particular, the significant benefits that have derived to farm...

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Fine Gael Party proposed cutting expenditure by €4 billion. Did it propose to withdraw medical cards from everyone? Would no new schools have been built next year?

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Fine Gael Party Senators should not speak out of both sides of their mouths.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: They must agree that the Minister examined this issue in a proactive manner.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is easy to cry foul when one is not in office. From where exactly will the spending cuts of €4 billion advocated by Fine Gael come? Would they affect young children, hospital beds, farmers in west Donegal or west Cork or housing schemes?

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We have to be realistic.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I am trying to do so but Opposition Senators are interrupting me. Senator Carty, the first Senator on the Government side to speak, referred to 1995, the year I did my leaving certificate and also the year a Fine Gael Minister for Agriculture refused 12,000 farmers who were——

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I have obviously touched a nerve.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: While I apologise for touching a nerve, reality sometimes forces us to think of important issues, including farming. We should reflect on the past if we are to look to the future. As Senator O'Donovan indicated, substantial funding has been made available to agriculture since 2002. In 1995, when this funding was not available, schemes were cut and many applicants, including young people,...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I add my words to those of previous Senators who referred to the current banking situation and the pressure that is bringing to bear on smaller businesses. I received two phone calls this morning from two small businesses in west Donegal, one in the tourism sector and one in the construction-manufacturing sector. They have been in business for a long number of years and the banks are...

Seanad: Agriculture Sector: Statements (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This is the second week in a row we are having a discussion on agriculture. I pay tribute to the Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith, for his efforts in the past week in particular, and this week, when he will represent Irish farmers abroad and try to get a better deal for Irish farmers and fight for their future. We should all acknowledge the work that is being done. I want to examine the issue...

Seanad: Agriculture Sector: Statements (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I did not say that.

Seanad: Inland Fisheries (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I raise this matter on behalf of draft net fishermen who fish the River Foyle in County Donegal. Licences in the draft net fishery on the tidal River Foyle are applied for annually and are, therefore, not owned or traded. I understand from anecdotal evidence that there are approximately 50 draft net fishermen who have fished the River Foyle on the upper stretch alone. Approximately 40 of...