Results 1-20 of 602 for speaker:Fiach MacConghail

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (15 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I second the motion. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Is é seo an chéad uair dom labhairt mar Sheanadóir. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le mo chlann agus, dar ndóigh, an Taoiseach, as ucht mé a ainmniú. Gabhaim buíochas freisin le chuile Seanadóir a thug comhairle agus cúnamh dom i rith mo chéad cúpla lá. As this is my maiden speech, I take the opportunity to...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I echo what Senator Norris said about Bloomsday. I join him in congratulating Colum McCann on winning an international literary award. It would be great if the Leader or the Cathaoirleach were to send a note of congratulations to Mr. McCann. As I am new here, I do not know what the procedure is in that regard. The award in question attracts the largest prize money of any award for a...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment. I look forward to his continued support for the excellent work of the Office of Public Works. It is important that resources in this area are protected not only for the benefit of our artists and cultural organisations but also for the tourism industry. I am confused by the inclusion of theatres in the categories to...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Are they exempt?

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: It does not apply in respect of ticket sales.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Notwithstanding what Senator O'Brien said about the petition committee, I thank all Senators for unanimously passing last night's Private Members' motion on the overhaul of how we do business in the Seanad. The debate was productive. Separate to the petition committee, I wish to ask the Leader how soon the CPP will meet to begin to implement the decision on last night's motion and whether...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: During the debate on the Private Members' motion on how the Seanad conducts its business, I mentioned that political reform and active citizenship will be one of my themes during my Seanad term. Another theme I will be concentrating on is how education should work for the betterment of our citizens. I will be advocating and promoting a more holistic approach to education based on inquiry,...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Last November, the then Government published a draft national plan on better literacy and numeracy for children and young people which has led to a good and concerned debate among educators, parents and students. Will the Leader inform the House about the current status of the draft plan? Will a final plan be published? I believe the date for submissions was extended from the end of...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: We pass on our congratulations and comhgairdeas le Seanadóir David Cullinane agus a bhean chéile agus a chlann. I will pick up a point raised by Senator O'Brien. As a new Senator I feel uncomfortable that we are being rushed into taking decisions. I am all on for working what hours God or the Cathaoirleach would give us but I am uncomfortable about the Order of Business. I abstained on...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: There are low price seats for the matinees. A quote from that very important play is that "to remember everything is a form of madness." I had the privilege this weekend of hosting the first ever national citizens' assembly, with more than 100 randomly selected citizens from the Twenty-Six Counties, from the age of 18 to 80, discussing political reform. It was a humbling experience for me...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: On a point of clarification, I formally abstained from the previous vote by electronic means. Is there a means of accounting for an active abstention, if there is such a thing, because the vote will not record that I was not in the Chamber during that vote?

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I agree with what was said by Senators Bacik and O'Donovan. I congratulate the CPP on the recommendation to invite Mr. Jerzy Buzek to the Seanad next week. It is an excellent opportunity for the Seanad to engage with a senior politician from the European Parliament but I also welcome the fact that group leaders have an opportunity to ask questions and to engage with him. On that note I wish...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: It is a rainbow coalition. You should see his socks.

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: Fáilte, I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality and I congratulate him on the extraordinarily moving Citizenship Ceremony in Dublin Castle on 24 June, where some immigrants became naturalised Irish citizens. Long may that continue; it reminds all of us of our own renewal of citizenship. I have a number of questions. I do not understand why the amendment of the Official Languages...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I second amendments Nos. 15 and 16 on the basis the issue should be dealt with separately as promised in the programme for Government.

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I said "printed". I did not say-----

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: On a point of order, why did the Minister not have the courage to use the words "in the English language", rather than "in one official language"?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach and the Members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for inviting, hosting and facilitating the visit of the President of the European Parliament to Seanad Éireann yesterday. It was an informing and productive session and Seanad Éireann distinguished itself with the standard of questions, including Senator O'Brien's questions, from all leaders in...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Fiach MacConghail: I am not a Government Member.