Results 1-20 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Sep 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I share the views of Senator O'Toole regarding a debate on the possibility of a war against Iraq. Listening to people on the street, there is a great deal of concern about this matter. This is a neutral country and it behoves us to look after the rights of our citizens. We all know that the fallout from such a war would not just impact on those directly involved. Virtually every country in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I wish to raise an urgent issue of human rights. I ask the Leader to convey my concerns to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in relation to the three Irishmen currently held in captivity and awaiting trial in Colombia. There are many questions with regard to their safety and whether they can receive a fair trial. There has been a great deal of judgmental commentary on the case which has been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Yes. I ask that the Minister for Foreign Affairs ensure there is Irish representation on a daily basis in Colombia. It would be very wrong if there were people out there with other agendas and if the three people concerned are ultimately found not guilty. I ask that the Minister monitor the situation.

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá áthas dáiríre orm go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ag tárlú. Nuair a bhí díospóireacht againn ar an ábhar seo cheana tháinig smaointí dearfacha chun tosaigh ach níor tharla aon rud ina dhiaidh sin. Tá dífríocht ann anois mar tagann an rún seo ó choiste atá tábhachtach cheana féin agus atá lárnach don struchtúr féin. Ní aontaím le mo chara atá díreach tar éis...

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I will come to that in a moment – this has come from Committee on Procedure and Privileges. Most importantly, it has been brought forward for early discussion. It puts down a marker for all of us to avail of the opportunity not to engage in point scoring or waste time justifying our own existence. We know there is a gap between perception and reality and we can deal with that in a positive...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Oct 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I ask the Leader for a debate on tourism at an early date. There have been major challenges for the industry this year and recent reports suggest it is necessary to have a root and branch consideration of what needs to be done. It will not be quite as easy in the coming year. It will take us a couple of years to recover, but the important thing about tourism is that even the smallest areas of...

Seanad: Parliamentary Committees: Motions. (17 Oct 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá suim agam sa chóras aistriúcháin a bhí ag na coistí mar is cuimhin liom go dtí seo go raibh deacrachtaí teichniúla ann, go mór mór sa choiste a bhíonn ag plé cúrsaí Gaeltachta, cúrsaí cultúir, cúrsaí ealaíona agus cúrsaí Gaeilge. Bheadh daoine ann agus bheadh leisce orthu Gaeilge a labhairt toisc go mbeadh daoine i lathair nach raibh cumas na Gaeilge acu agus ní...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements. (23 Oct 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is encouraging that so many Members want to participate in this debate. Although I know there is pressure on the time allocated, it would have been better to have more time for these contributions. No major purpose will be served by trying to lay blame on one side or the other, although I am sure that will happen elsewhere. We look to both sovereign Governments which, at the end of the...

Seanad: Agriculture and Food: Statements. (6 Nov 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is the Leader aware of an Amnesty International report regarding the problems in the Colombian judicial system, including the use of torture on prisoners and the intimidation of witnesses? After raising some weeks ago the matter of the three Irishmen facing trial there, I was disappointed to receive hate mail. I also received hate mail in the past when campaigning on human rights issues. I...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements. (20 Nov 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Fáiltím freisin roimh an Taoiseach. Ní gá domsa a rá go bhfuilimíd thar a bheith mórálach as an obair foighneach, stuama, misniúil atá déanta aige ar ár son le roinnt blian anuas. It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Taoiseach. I have no doubt he will go down as one of the great leaders of this nation on account of the magnanimity he has shown and his endeavours at all times...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Dec 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator Ryan's comments regarding the failure to accept advertisements from the Christian churches, which I find very difficult to understand for a number of reasons. Many of the programmes on radio and television tend to expound much anti-religious sentiment and since all churches, irrespective of denomination, state there should be an opportunity for them to put across a point of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support the positive comments regarding the Garda Síochána. We are fortunate to have one of the finest police forces in the world. It is wrong that, because a small number step out of line, it is presented as a reflection on the entire force. We all know of examples of the courage and community service of members of the Garda. We should convey these positive sentiments to the Garda...

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (11 Dec 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (11 Dec 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This debate is significant. Even more significant is the number of Senators who have offered to speak. No doubt one of the reasons for this is the "Prime Time" television programme we all watched. It was shocking, especially the depiction of the number of young females – someone's sister, wife or daughter – brought to hospitals, lying on the floor unconscious. It says something about us...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Dec 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I support Senator Norris's comments on the lack of coverage of serious debates which take place in the House. I also agree with him in regard to the debate on alcohol abuse because we all know it is a serious problem. There was an informed debate here yesterday in which many Members participated. It should have been possible for the media to give some balanced coverage of that debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Dec 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: —and I would like to see that happen—

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I would like to avail of this opportunity to thank Senator Finucane for his kind comments this morning. I have no doubt, given the part of Ireland from which he comes, that he appreciates the importance of the traditional arts at local community level, for which I thank him. I thank the Fine Gael Party generally, particularly Deputy Deenihan, for the guidance and leadership he has given in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for your indulgence but I am supporting the call for the debate on this basis. I have nothing against the Chieftains or Paul Brady and I am pleased they have made millions.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: People at community level must be considered. Some 2 million people attend traditional events every year. This year the Fleadh Ceoil in Listowel attracted 250,000 people, which is the bottom line. If Senator Norris had waited, he would have heard the reply from this side of the House.