Results 141-160 of 432 for speaker:Niall Blaney

Seanad: National Development Plan: Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber to discuss the NDP I am delighted to see him here. He has had very trying times over the past nine months since taking office and it has certainly been a baptism of fire. That fire is far from being put out. Recovery and getting enough vaccines into the country is now to the fore but the consideration of where we go for the next 20 years is vital....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee (23 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: Deputy Brendan Smith is running a little late.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The EU and Irish Unity - Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I want to say first that my opinions in respect of the report are personal. Coming from a very republican background, I, as much as anyone in this line, want to see unity of our people and our country, but I am also conscious of how where we have got to was achieved. With all due respect to the two witnesses, how it was achieved has been missed with regard to their report. For me, it does...

Seanad: Matters Arising from the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the Minister to the House to discuss this important issue. At the outset, I wish to put one matter on the record, which is the language we use about some of the issues that have arisen since Brexit took place. I very much take issue with a border in the Irish Sea. We should knock that idea at every turn because there is no border in the Irish Sea. Issues arise as to how we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Working Group on Unification Referendums: Discussion (30 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I thank Dr. Renwick for his report. It is a very interesting perspective. We need many perspectives in this conversation. We have had some but not enough and this input is very welcome. The few scenarios thrown about are interesting with regard to planning before a referendum, having a referendum and planning for afterwards. I would like to see more beef in the bowl on this and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Working Group on Unification Referendums: Discussion (30 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I concur with Dr. Tannam's sentiments. I also concur with Colum Eastwood's point about the Irish Government having a plan. It must not be forgotten that all political sides and parties need to put their shoulder to the wheel, particularly in Northern Ireland. We are talking about preparing. The English Government is or is not going to prepare the ground and everything is going to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee
The Proposal Initiative: Discussion (14 Apr 2021)

Niall Blaney: I thank the witnesses for their presentations, which were somewhat different to those the committee has received in recent months regarding North-South relations and difficulties within the Six Counties. Their approach is quite light and refreshing. I am really interested in the witnesses' whole approach. I like it. With regard to the way we all need to start looking at the whole approach...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2021)

Niall Blaney: I am thoroughly enjoying the "GunPlot" podcast series dealing with the saga of the 1970 arms crisis. The third episode of the podcast was released this morning with five more to go and a documentary will air on television on Wednesday night. It is a pity we had to wait 50 years to have that level of investigative journalism, which has come in the wake of the release of Michael Heney's book...

Seanad: Post Office Network: Motion (26 Apr 2021)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank her for taking the motion, which I formally second. I thank my colleague, Senator Dooley, for raising this issue today. I remember, when I was a small boy growing up in north Donegal on the Fanad Peninsula, there were nine post offices in an area roughly the size of the part of Dublin that is within the M50. We are now down to one. As...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Northern Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (4 May 2021)

Niall Blaney: I thank the Chair for accommodating me. I was listening to the debate but I was not in a position to log on officially in Leinster House until now. This has been a very good debate and I welcome the witnesses. I listened with intent about Letterkenny, which is my neck of the woods, and the reference to collaboration with Derry. The heads of two educational institutions came before the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Northern Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (4 May 2021)

Niall Blaney: I have a remark to make. I appreciate the approach of Professor FitzGerald and his honesty but I fundamentally disagree with him about EU subvention. The EU subvention I was talking about would relate to those areas in Northern Ireland, particularly west of the River Bann and in small pockets of the more urban areas around Belfast, that have very poor educational outcomes. That is...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion (10 May 2021)

Niall Blaney: I move: "That Seanad Éireann: - reaffirms its commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and requests the full implementation of all aspects of this international agreement; - requests that politicians North and South lead in a manner that is respectful and cognisant of the Good Friday Agreement which is built on respect, equality and partnership; - is committed to ensuring the...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion (10 May 2021)

Niall Blaney: I wish to share some of my time with Senator McGreehan.

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion (10 May 2021)

Niall Blaney: At the start of the debate, I omitted to welcome the Minister of State to the House. He is very welcome and I thank him for his very considered contribution. I thank all Members for what was a very good and open debate. I admit that it was particularly challenging for Senator Ó Donnghaile, but I appreciate how he takes it on the chin. I will return to his remarks in a moment. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Future of Ireland: Discussion (11 May 2021)

Niall Blaney: Deputy Smith is running a little late and Senator McGreehan is on the way as well. I extend a warm welcome to Reverend Karen and Mr. Lunn and thank them for their presentations. We have been calling for some time to have more unionists' voices at the table. The witnesses are very welcome here today. I am very interested in their approach and presentations. To take the comments made by...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 May 2021)

Niall Blaney: I ask the Leader for a debate on the independence of our media. I am talking about all media across the whole island of Ireland, not just in the Republic. The lack of reporting with regard to what is happening in Derry is extraordinary. I refer to the situation whereby politicians are being stood down by a political party.The legacy of former deputy First Minister, the late Martin...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach (Resumed) (18 May 2021)

Niall Blaney: I will take the first few minutes and Deputy Brendan Smith will follow me. Ms O'Donoghue and Mr. Duffy are very welcome this morning. Ms O'Dongohue has given us a very good outline of the work being done by the shared island unit. I very much appreciate the work that is going on. As a young councillor in 2000, I started a campaign with my council colleagues in Donegal on the A5. It is...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 May 2021)

Niall Blaney: With the permission of the Cathaoirleach and the Minister, I will move briefly to another topic. I congratulate the FAI on its historic annual general meeting last night and on moving in line with the memorandum of understanding. I particularly congratulate the FAI on its appointment of Packie Bonner, a great Donegal man and a great ambassador for this country. I did not get the...