Results 41-60 of 1,637 for speaker:Labhrás Ó Murchú

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It would seem on the face of it that the sale of the national airline to a foreign company is now a fait accompli. That is why so many people are confused and stunned about what is happening. With hindsight, the debate which has taken place in recent months was disingenuous because we did not have any information to debate. It is now that the debate should start. The matter should go...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is also a brand for many of our emigrants, and a symbol of who we are as a people and the manner in which we developed and were able to take on board independence and to sustain sovereignty. They are all big questions. One must ask whether the recession has killed that sense in us as a people. Are we frightened by the prospect that there might be greater competition in the aviation...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I do not believe they are enforceable, and with the passage of time, in three, four or five years, we will forget about them. The problem is that we will then be at a point of no return. As Senator Darragh O'Brien has already stated, as an island nation it is an absolutely vital imperative for us to have an airline of our own over which there is democratic control and at the same time that...

Seanad: Cultural Institutions: Motion (13 May 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: In this debate, my party will not be the Opposition. We are all in this together.I welcome the Minister and compliment her on the manner in which she has adopted the role. Her portfolio is the soul of the nation. Senators Whelan and Kelly made powerful contributions. What was particularly impressive was the passion behind those contributions. It was a reminder that heritage is not just...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Will the Leader arrange a debate on the regeneration of rural Ireland? It should focus on the establishment of a partnership between community organisations on the ground and State policies. Rural areas underwent a major improvement in the period following the 1950s. This was very pleasing as it followed a period when people believed rural Ireland was virtually dead and beyond repair. It...

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption in Ireland: Statements (12 May 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I compliment him on not pulling any punches. What he has outlined amounts to a shocking indictment of our society. Issues surrounding the abuse of alcohol come up for debate in virtually every element of the work we do as legislators. We are talking about health issues, crime issues, anti-social behaviour, economic issues and many other matters. In many...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Most people in this House have spoken on behalf of homeless people. We are all keenly aware of the terrible circumstances that some people endure who live on the streets. Whenever we meet a homeless person living in such conditions we feel shocked. Our pride is also hurt that any citizen should find it necessary to live in such conditions. Neither justifies the recent efforts to defame a...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Second Stage (22 Apr 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and compliment him on his proactive approach to his portfolio. He seems to have done an exceptionally good job of work. The Bill before us, which proposes to merge the Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority, seems like a good idea on the face of it and it deserves our support. On an occasion like this, we...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Apr 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Daly. This is a very important motion and there is some urgency about it. I compliment him on his vigilance in this regard. Perhaps the Leader might be able to accept the amendment because it is of interest to us all. I join Senator Barrett in sending best wishes to Donncha Ó Dúlaing. He has had an...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2014: Second Stage (16 Apr 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: On the face of it, this is a good Bill and makes much sense. The McCarthy report of 2009 recommended that the two bodies be merged, chiefly because of the overlap of services. Anybody observing the operation of the two bodies could see it. There is overlap in the work of the two bodies in procurement and the PPPs, and merging their expertise will be a step in the right direction. The...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (15 Apr 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I welcome the Minister of State. It is evident in any discussion we have today about any change that there are two issues involved. One is that because we do not have the money to do what we would like to do, how can that money be best used, while the other is how we can improve the lot of people. This is what is important because at the end of the day we have to find a balance between...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I thank Senator Denis Landy for his kind comments. It is 75 years since Tipperary man Harry Gleeson was executed for a crime he had not committed. His life was extinguished in the most questionable of circumstances and it was definitely a gross miscarriage of justice. Mr. Sean McBride who had defended him always saw it as such, as did the ordinary people who were familiar with the case....

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: For over ten years and on a regular basis in this House I have raised the issue of Volunteer Thomas Ceannt, who is buried in Cork gaol. As we all know, Thomas Ceannt played a very significant role in pursuit of Irish freedom and on the eve of the centenary commemoration of 1916 it would be helpful if the appropriate Minister would update us on the current position. My understanding is that...

Seanad: An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Aois Intofachta chun Oifig an Uachtaráin) 2015: An Dara Céim - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Age of Eligibility for Election to the Office of President) Bill 2015: Second Stage (31 Mar 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Tá fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. If I thank the Minister of State for outlining the Government position on the referendum. Fianna Fáil is not opposing this and supports the idea of a referendum being held. Is it is also clear from the presentation that we are endeavouring to balance how to recognise youth and enable it to take up positions that require responsibility and...

Seanad: An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Aois Intofachta chun Oifig an Uachtaráin) 2015: An Dara Céim - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Age of Eligibility for Election to the Office of President) Bill 2015: Second Stage (31 Mar 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I do not think this is the type of issue that we should have a political division on, given where we are at this particular time.

Seanad: Ireland's Diaspora Policy: Statements (10 Mar 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. It is timely that we are having a debate on the Irish diaspora this week. We are on the eve of St. Patrick's week, when our Ministers will rightly be travelling to the four corners of the world. The purpose of those visits is to acknowledge, support and celebrate our Irish people and their achievements in their adoptive countries. As we know,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electoral Commission: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (10 Mar 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: Does the Minister agree that a meaningful reform programme relating to the electoral system and the Oireachtas should go hand in hand with the evolution of the electoral commission? It is clear that they must interact and most people agree that we do not have a reform programme currently. As a Senator, I was bewildered that the only idea, which I did not consider to be meaningful, that the...

Seanad: Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, to delete line 26 and substitute the following:“(a) the provision of health services without charge as outlined in section 2 of the Health (Amendment) Act 1996,”.Fianna Fáil supports this Bill. The intention of our amendments is to provide clarity in regard to specifics within the legislation. The amendment we are putting forward is in...

Seanad: Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: This amendment is motivated by our concern for the survivors of the Magdalen laundries. As we know, they have suffered a lot and travelled a long road to justice. They met many roadblocks and obstacles on the way. It is vital that we allay their fears. They do not seem to be happy with the current Bill, which was our motivation in looking for clarity, not just in the Chamber but in the Bill.

Seanad: Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2015)

Labhrás Ó Murchú: It is clear that there are concerns on both sides of the House. I presume the Minister has met with the representatives of the survivors of the Magdalen laundries, and I presume they have asked the same questions. The Minister might tell us if he had such a meeting with those representatives because if he gave the same answers, why is there such doubt and concern among the survivors in this...