Results 22,521-22,540 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is an excellent suggestion.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, could come to the Chamber instead.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Higgins should support the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I did not know-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is the second investigation. It was one investigation when we discussed the matter on Monday, now it is two.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Now it is two.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: If I receive a commitment on this-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: On Monday in this House I raised very serious allegations in regard to the culture, procedures and operation of the National Asset Management Agency. Later that day the agency issued a statement to the effect that it was aware of only one ongoing investigation into such practices. It has since transpired that there are two such investigations taking place. I put it to colleagues that this...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: As I said on Monday, I have been made aware of very serious allegations concerning the deliberate undervaluing of loans at pre-sale, with a view to turning over a profit for public relations and political reasons and conferring advantage to certain bidders. It is a very serious situation if taxpayers are to be on the hook for the sale of performing loans at a discounted rate to preferred...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I do. That is just a flavour of the allegations which, if true, go to the very top of NAMA. There are questions to be answered regarding the interaction between the Department of Finance, senior NAMA officials and international vulture funds and investors.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I am proposing an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Finance come into the House today to make a statement on oversight of NAMA, with reference to the questions that have been raised through the freedom of information process regarding senior officials in his Department leaking private commercial information to preferred bidders who were selected by NAMA and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: My concerns relate to its operations.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 10b: In page 13, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:“(r) Commercial & Community Facilities affected by Pyrite shall be eligible to apply to the scheme on a case by case basis.”.During my Second Stage contribution I put forward a case that commercial and community facilities affected by pyrite should be eligible to apply to the scheme on...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 10c: In page 13, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:“(r) All homes with a 1 per cent plus level of pyrite shall be eligible to apply to the remediation scheme.”.In this amendment I propose that all homes with a 1% plus level of pyrite shall be eligible to apply to the remediation scheme. I am aware that the Minister is ensuring that those...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That is the kernel of the issue. I understand that resources are finite and that the scheme will be open for two to three years. It will take more time than that to fix the problem. I hope in the intervening period there may be case law and we may have recourse to those who should pay for this. I wish to set down a marker that this problem will not be resolved by remediating the worst...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 10a: In page 13, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:"(r) Homeowners who have already undertaken remedial works in the six years preceding this scheme from its commencement shall be eligible to apply to the scheme for compensation.".The Minister will have received, through his Department and through colleagues, as I and my colleague, Senator Averil Power...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his comments. I take it that the Minister has not fully closed the door. I recognise it is not a compensation scheme but effectively people who had to use their own funds or borrowed moneys to make their houses safe. If there was an indication that the Minister for Finance would look at the issue by way of VAT rebates or allowing write-offs against future tax...