Results 281-300 of 432 for speaker:Niall Blaney

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: 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: 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: 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...

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...

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: 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: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: Is Senator Crowe following me? There was an arrangement between myself and Senators Crowe and Murphy to share time.

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: We are sharing time. So Senator Crowe will take four minutes, I will take five minutes and Senator Murphy will take three minutes with the agreement of the House. The time still amounts to 12 minutes.

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: Can we restart the clock? More than one minute has gone already.

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: The Minister is very welcome to the House. We have to acknowledge she has had a baptism of fire in the short time she has been in her Department. We would like to see more of her ability, which we know she has, when we get over this pandemic and she gets to it, and expect to see great measures in tourism. Tourism has evolved in recent years. I come from Donegal, in the north west, where we...

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....

Seanad: Private Rental Sector: Motion (8 Mar 2021)

Niall Blaney: I thank my colleagues across the floor for raising the important issue of housing. I feel that the body of the motion goes to show just how flawed their policy is. There seems to be a paralysis relating to rent when the difficulties in the housing sector are much wider than that. The motion also goes to show the differences in policy. From Fianna Fáil's perspective, the people of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The EU and Irish Unity - Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change in Ireland: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Niall Blaney: I welcome Professor Harvey and Mr. Bassett. We are kicking off what will be a lively debate. It is good to get a perspective on this and kick off the conversation. I note that there is correspondence from Ian Paisley that will probably be dealt with later. I listened intently to the presentation by the witnesses. I would like to get their perspective on a few matters. For me, the Good...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The EU and Irish Unity - Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change in Ireland: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Niall Blaney: Before we move on, Chairman, I asked a question about engagement with unionist politicians. I was disconnected for a bit so I am not sure if it has been answered. I asked what engagement, if any, had taken place with the unionist politicians on the report.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The EU and Irish Unity - Planning and Preparing for Constitutional Change in Ireland: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Niall Blaney: Yes. Was there engagement with unionist politicians on the report or any feedback from them on it?