Results 1-20 of 159 for speaker:Billy Lawless

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Motion (21 Jan 2020)

Billy Lawless: On this last sitting of the Twenty-fifth Seanad, I would like to say that it has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life to serve in Seanad Éireann for the past four years as Senator for the diaspora. During my time in the Seanad I have worked with the most enthusiastic and passionate group of people I have had the pleasure and honour to meet. I would like to start by...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Motion (21 Jan 2020)

Billy Lawless: I take this opportunity to thank the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, for their committed support for this referendum and for the global Irish. I am sure that whatever Government is in place following the general election will not forget about and will continue to lobby on behalf of the undocumented Irish. That...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Billy Lawless: It was a day.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Billy Lawless: He will be doing the Tour de France next.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Billy Lawless: With four by-elections taking place this Friday and Christmas just around the corner, there seems little doubt we are on the march to a general election early in the new year. It is my sincere wish, as it has been since I had the honour of being appointed to this Chamber, that I will leave this Seanad knowing that the Irish people have been given a chance to vote on whether their Irish...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Billy Lawless: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (27 Nov 2019)

Billy Lawless: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I am really pleased to hear the words he said and to have the opportunity to discuss the issue of direct provision, or as it is correctly phrased on the Seanad schedule, "the provision of accommodation and ancillary services to applicants for international protection". That is what we, as a Government and as a nation, have a responsibility for do - to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2019)

Billy Lawless: I agree with Senator McDowell's call yesterday for a proper debate and discussion in the House on the question of direct provision. I appreciate that what the Senator spoke to yesterday and again in his article this morning is built on his experience as a former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Attorney General concerned with the process, procedure and legality of those who...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Oct 2019)

Billy Lawless: I am delighted that I will launch the report by Crosscare Migrant Project, entitled Returning in Crisis, next Monday in the EPIC Museum, one of the finest museums in Dublin, especially with regard to the history of emigration from Ireland. As most Senators are aware, Crosscare Migrant Project is a non-governmental organisation that provides information and support to many returning Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (3 Oct 2019)

Billy Lawless: The Tánaiste has already answered most of my questions. As he will know, migration is my area. I am really concerned about the fierce toxic anti-immigration sentiment in the United States, which this year has reduced the intake of refugees to 18,000 refugees from a high of 100,000 refugees by the former Administration. The anti-immigrant sentiment has probably fuelled the protests...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (3 Oct 2019)

Billy Lawless: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (3 Oct 2019)

Billy Lawless: Yes.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2019)

Billy Lawless: Is it okay if I start?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2019)

Billy Lawless: As we know these are trying times for our nation and our island. In 28 days' time there is the real prospect that the peace we have all grown accustomed to which took decades or, depending on one's interpretation of history, centuries to resolve could be seriously jeopardised through the event of a no-deal Brexit. The closer we get to yet another EU summit on 17 October, the greater the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2019)

Billy Lawless: As do I.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2019)

Billy Lawless: Sorry, I was distracted.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2019)

Billy Lawless: It is great to be back in this beautifully restored Chamber. I say well done to all involved. The workmanship has been superb. Originally, this was the ballroom of Lord Leinster's townhouse. If the Cathaoirleach will excuse the pun, let us not dance around the issues today and get straight to the point.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2019)

Billy Lawless: I welcome the recent publication by the Government of the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019 to pave the way for a referendum allowing Irish citizens living abroad to vote in presidential elections. We are nearly there. Many of us have waited 15 years, if not more, for this referendum to be put to the people. While I do not want to pre-empt any...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Jul 2019)

Billy Lawless: I will leave it for another day. Once told might be enough in this instance. I welcome my family and close friends from Chicago who are in the Gallery today. Last week I welcomed the announcement by the Government of its intention to publish the scheme of a Bill to facilitate a referendum on whether members of the diaspora should be entitled to vote in presidential elections. We have...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jun 2019)

Billy Lawless: I wish to reiterate the comments made by my colleagues. I congratulate Senator Grace O'Sullivan on her appointment as an MEP. She is right that people make a difference and persistence pays off. She has made a great contribution to this House and her departure will be a huge loss for us but a great gain for Europe. I thank her for everything that she has done here. I wish her well for...