Results 1-20 of 21 for israel speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

Paul Bradford: ...is time for a substantial debate on the matter. It appears that any time we talk about the politics and the conflict of the Middle East in the House we automatically revert to a position in which Israel is seen at being at the core of all problems, and we need to be balanced in our view of that part of the world. We need to recognise that the state and the people of Israel have for...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2014)

Paul Bradford: ...believe to be a very unbalanced presentation of middle eastern politics in the House. We see one side and only one side of the story. Historically, if we look at this area from the perspective of Israel and the broader Jewish community, this House and the other House have never been sympathetic to the State of Israel or to Jewish people and that is something we should be ashamed of. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2014)

Paul Bradford: ...about the Palestinian people and Palestinian recognition. Strangely enough, down through the years there has never been such a stampede when people have spoken about the security of the people of Israel or the right of that country to exist. We need a substantive debate on that matter. While I do not expect the Minister to arrive in the House this afternoon or even next week, I ask the...

Seanad: Situation in Gaza and Ukraine: Statements (31 Jul 2014)

Paul Bradford: ...by members of Sinn Féin-IRA. I do not recall any condemnation being uttered on that occasion. I support the comments made by the Senators in question with regard to the undesirability of citizens in Israel cheering as a result of bombs exploding in Gaza and other tragic occurrences. However, I remember a mob of citizens on the streets of Belfast cheering when two British soldiers...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2014)

Paul Bradford: ...matter yesterday and many times previously. I am surprised, from an Irish perspective of history and politics, there is so little empathy among the broader Irish body politic for the people and State of Israel. As an Irish nation we speak about a history of being downtrodden for hundreds of years but I hope we have some degree of empathy and sympathy for people who have been downtrodden...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

Paul Bradford: ...what Senator Walsh said that we must reflect on the plight of Palestinian young people and ask what would we do if we were them. However, I would also ask colleagues to reflect on the plight of Israeli young people, not just today but for generations. Their existence is deemed by a certain number of states and terrorist groups as being dispensable. Let us acknowledge that, even as we...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: I very much appreciate that Senator Norris is genuine in his comments on human rights in the Middle East. However, we sometimes fail to see, particular in respect of Israel, that there is another side to the story. While the Senator's worries need to be taken seriously, I am not convinced the Israeli deputy ambassador is any way responsible for any of the types of activities described. To...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Paul Bradford: ...circumstances that have arisen in Syria, which brings me back to the issue of balance. Where are all those who were so busy on their little flotilla and so worried about Palestinians and Israel? They have gone very silent on the situation in Syria. We need a balanced approach to the Middle East.

Seanad: Immigrant Investor Programme and Start-Up Entrepreneur Scheme: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: ...interest in what the Minister proposes. The previous speaker mentioned what should have happened in the past in the context of a particular international community. Looking at the State of Israel today, we can see how the people of Israel have benefited from their constant communication with the Jewish community worldwide. Significant investment into the State of Israel comes on a daily...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Political Funding Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: ...sure what the solution is. I recently watched the film about Margaret Thatcher and I doubt whether she would have been a gender quota candidate. A few weeks ago I read a biography of the former Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir, who intervened to save Israel when it was being wiped off the map. I doubt if she would be a person who would have required a gender quota or a candidate...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Sep 2011)

Paul Bradford: ...intricate situation in the Middle East. It is politically popular and correct not just in the House but outside it to wear the Palestinian hat but there is another side to the equation, namely, Israel. I am not surprised that the case for Israel is not stated clearly in this House because both in the Oireachtas and historically in this country we chose to see no evil and hear no evil...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Sep 2011)

Paul Bradford: I would like the House to have a substantial debate on the situation in the Middle East. I recognise the need to protect and define the Palestinian state but I also support the state of Israel. We need a substantive, inclusive and informed debate on the situation in the Middle East. I wish it were as simplistic and as simple to resolve as some of my colleagues appear to suggest.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2011)

Paul Bradford: ...attempt to move forward. I look forward to a broad and wide-ranging debate in the House at the earliest possible opportunity. In addition, I also heard mention of the position regarding Palestine, Israel and the Middle East, to which reference was also made in this Chamber on Tuesday when a request was made for a debate on the general position in the Middle East. I look forward to that...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Paul Bradford: ...what Senators Harris and Cummins said on the Irish passport issue. We need to show that this House has a balanced view of world affairs. Sadly, we are continuing to express a one-sided view of Israel, in particular. Senator MacSharry's Freudian slip about the Good Friday Agreement has brought me to the point I would like to make. As I have said previously, peace on this island, to a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Paul Bradford: .... There certainly is a futility of consistency policy in operation within the Department of Foreign Affairs. Whenever an outrage takes place in the only democracy in the Middle East, that is, Israel, of which tragically there have been many, the Department, the Government and public opinion takes an extremely hard line. In this instance, however, although there is the prospect of a...

Seanad: Current Situation in the Middle East: Statements (18 Oct 2006)

Paul Bradford: ...now, however, is where the political priorities lie and what the emphasis will be. The conflict in the Middle East over the summer months was tragic and disastrous. While recognising the right of Israel to defend itself, its response to the initial dispute was very much over the top and has caused very grave difficulties. We recognise that the two-state solution which we have spoken...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (5 Jul 2006)

Paul Bradford: I second the motion. Like Senator Ryan, I wish to state my strong assertion that the Israeli soldier currently being held should be released. The Senator concluded with the interesting example of what we said and did in terms of the Northern Ireland peace process and the first substantial ceasefire therein in 1994, from which we can learn. A word at the centre of the Northern peace process...

Seanad: Middle East Peace Process: Statements. (26 Apr 2006)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister to the House. The political dispensation in the Middle East has changed with the electoral success of Hamas and the new Administration elected in Israel. However, the central problems remain and I concur with the Minister's closing remarks to the effect that we must remain focussed on the two state solution, which is central to hopes of a long-term solution to the...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (27 Oct 2004)

Paul Bradford: ...and Palestine. Some Senators attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on European Affairs earlier today. A motion was agreed by the committee following a constructive and lengthy discussion on Israel and Palestine. It is interesting that similar motions are being considered by a committee and the Seanad in the aftermath of the vote which took place in the Knesset last night. We should not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Paul Bradford: I support Senators Norris and Leyden who asked for a debate on Iraq and on the situation in the Middle East and Israel. Those are reasonable requests and the House should respond with urgency. Another international situation exists where the scale of killing, death, destruction and slaughter is even greater and sadly does not seem to be the subject of major public outcry or numerous letters...