Results 22,901-22,920 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Okay. It is good to be back. It has been a very difficult number of months for every Member. During that time Senators endeavoured to do their work as best they could, although unquestionably it was under a cloud. Sometimes when the spotlight is focused on individuals it makes us all think about the job we do, how well we do it and, in some instances, how we do not do it well and where we...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: What about discretionary medical cards?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: There was a discussion at the Labour parliamentary party meeting about it yesterday evening.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Are we leaving No. 1 open ended?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine. It is an important debate. We have all been contacted by our respective county enterprise boards, CEBs. Undoubtedly, improvements can be made. Some CEBs perform better than others, but their dissolution and subsumption into local authorities will remove local focus. CEBs support start-up and existing businesses in specific areas. It is flawed legislation that my group will...

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: What about the 2009 Act?

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Stop, that is not true.

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: People like that represent a small proportion. We are discussing large, managed funds.

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is a first to hear a Labour Senator say that.

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Fair play to Senator Hayden. That is so good of her.

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: My God.

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not sure how to follow Senator Conway. I know that his sentiments are valid and well held. He mentioned a number of things such as how we need to think outside the box; how where there is a will, there is a way; and how we need to fast-track this and that. That is correct but there are no solutions there. I commend Senator Quinn for producing this Bill. I have no doubt the Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Strange, that.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It has been a long weekend.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It might be a bit soon for the Cathaoirleach to allow that happen.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is a great idea.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not include my colleagues opposite in this. We have a situation where genuine lies and mistruths have been told and been proven to be incorrect, where a major Government party with a 58-seat majority in the other House is able to continue to put out untruths about costs and apparent savings and where the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation says he will write a cheque for...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The people in the media know that in operating a Chamber like this one and the Lower House, official pairing arrangements operate. People can be sick or away on Government business but none of that was taken into account. I am sure the Leader will agree with my next point and I am not casting any aspersions on my colleagues opposite. What really disgusted me was a specific personalised...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It was despicable. I thank the Leader for his indulgence because this is an important point about the conduct of future campaigns. When one sees the Fine Gael press office issue statements personally attacking Senator Quinn who has done so much over the years and Senator Crown, a new Senator who has brought a new perspective, it is completely uncalled for. If anything, the idea of fewer...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: On my own behalf and on behalf of my colleagues, I would like to condemn the brutal attack on two young girls in Athlone. All of us are fully aware that this is a matter for the Garda. An individual has been charged. I will say no more, other than to emphasise that our thoughts are with the two children and their families. I am sure the State will give them all the support that is...