Results 1-20 of 437 for speaker:Niall Blaney

Seanad: International Trade and International Relations: Statements (3 Apr 2025)

Niall Blaney: I welcome Minister of State, Deputy Byrne. The comments from the Tánaiste this morning are most welcome. His tone and approach are very welcome. It is very important that we are not caught up with what a lot of media have been caught up with since the US presidential election and throughout the whole era of Trumpism, namely, the constant rhetoric about what Trump is doing today and...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (2 Apr 2025)

Niall Blaney: Not today, Chairman. I welcome the Minister to the House and say goodbye to the students. Slán anois. The Minister is very welcome. I congratulate him on his new appointment. No doubt it is quite a task, but he has very capable hands and I have great trust in him. I know the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, put everything into the Department. Some people believe it is a matter...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024: Second Stage (4 Mar 2025)

Niall Blaney: The Minister of State is welcome to the House with this, his first Bill. Fianna Fáil welcomes and supports the Bill. As the Minister of State outlined, the Bill provides for the establishment of the marine accident investigative unit within the Department of Transport and for a regulatory regime to be put in place for the construction and operation of offshore service vessels operating...

Seanad: Cathaoirleach a Thoghadh - Election of Cathaoirleach (12 Feb 2025)

Niall Blaney: Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá. First, I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his success last night in being democratically elected to the Chair. I wish him very well for the term ahead. The father of the House gave him a fair run for his money. I am sure Senator Wilson finds it strange to be called father of the House. I do not know whether we should call him "Father Wilson" or...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (10 Oct 2024)

Niall Blaney: I thank the Minister. Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the deputation from Stormont to the Public Gallery. The members of the committee on health are very welcome - Ms Liz Kimmins, MLA, chair, Mr. Danny Donnelly, MLA, deputy chair, Ms Linda Dillon, MLA, Ms Órlaithí Flynn, MLA, Ms Nuala McAllister, MLA and Mr. Colin McGrath, MLA. I hope our visitors enjoy the proceedings....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach (7 Mar 2024)

Niall Blaney: I thank the Chair. Donegal people have spread their wings throughout Ireland and beyond. I thank Ms Deane and Mr. Duffy for being here today and for their presentation. I am sorry I was not here for all of it. The work they do is vital for the future of this island. They are doing some fantastic work and long may it continue. The recent announcement was very good. Following on from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Shared Island Unit: Department of the Taoiseach (7 Mar 2024)

Niall Blaney: I recall being approached by a guy who was a Protestant in Donegal one day who said, "We don't have great rights in the South. They have better rights in the North." I asked him what he meant and he said, "I can't own a British passport". It is the things you do not think of. That said, I thank our guests.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (21 Feb 2024)

Niall Blaney: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber for this debate on the A5, the N2 and the TEN-T in the North. It was fantastic that there was an announcement yesterday of €600 million for the A5. It is brilliant news. I would like to know where everything moves from here. The A5 has been the blockage for so long. I remember being told on air by some of the Acting Chair's...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (21 Feb 2024)

Niall Blaney: I agree with everything in the Minister of State's statement. Yesterday's news that the Irish Government's money is back on the table was absolutely fantastic. I implore both the UK Government and the Stormont Administration to step up now and make this project a reality. I ask the Minister of State to take a message back to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Department of Transport. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Key Issues Affecting Youth: North South Youth Forum (15 Feb 2024)

Niall Blaney: I thank the Chairman. I also thank Ms Ní hUisceith, Ms Lindsay, Ms Morton, Ms Whelan, Mr. O'Connell and Mr. Taylor very much for their presentations here today. It is fantastic to come in here to a full house. A lot of the time, particularly during Covid, we would be in here talking to a screen. It is good to have the witnesses here in person and moreover to hear their views. It is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (8 Feb 2024)

Niall Blaney: Before we start the next Commencement matter, I welcome Dwayne Edgar to the Public Gallery, along with Senator Fitzpatrick. Dwayne was responsible for setting up the Inner City Running Club. He is very welcome to the proceedings this morning.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services (8 Feb 2024)

Niall Blaney: Before the Minister of State replies, I welcome the students and teachers in the audience from Gaelscoil Eoin, Ballsbridge, Dublin. They are very welcome. They are all very good boys and girls. I hope they enjoy their trip around Leinster House.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Garda Síochána (8 Feb 2024)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to the House.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Niall Blaney: I hope the Chairman will allow a little leeway because there is much that is interesting in the three presentations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Niall Blaney: I welcome Mr. Kelly, Mr. Neill and Mr. Roberts and thank them from their presentations. Mr. Kelly gave a very positive outlook in relation to manufacturing in Northern Ireland. There is an enormous number of businesses. The figure is shocking. One would never think that Mr. Kelly would represent 4,500 in Manufacturing Northern Ireland. That says so much about the sector. Moreover, there...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Niall Blaney: I just have a few things to address to Mr. Kelly. He and Deputy Tully were starting to develop a conversation there on immigration. Once we open the issue of immigration in this country, there is nearly a tendency to say you are anti-immigration. Mr. Kelly was coming at it this morning from the perspective of how much we need immigrants. I do not think anyone here would disagree with him....

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Niall Blaney: I welcome the Minister to the House.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Niall Blaney: Amendments Nos. 1 and 170 to 181, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Niall Blaney: Amendments Nos. 2 and 3 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Niall Blaney: Yes.