Results 23,621-23,640 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I wish to convey the sympathy of the Fianna Fáil group to Senator Imelda Henry on the passing of her mother and also to the family of former Senator Éamon de Buitléar. I agree with the Leader wholeheartedly. Today is not a day for business as usual regarding the political sparring that goes on from time to time in this House. Like all of us and all the people we know, including our...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Unfortunately, in the past few decades in particular and since the establishment of An Garda Síochána in 1922, many men and women serving in the force have met early deaths protecting this State, be that at the hands of perpetrators who flew under an alleged flag of republicanism, criminal gangs or whatever. Our thoughts and the thoughts of the members of the Fianna Fáil group in the...

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I imagine Labour Party supporters have not forgotten what it promised.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: An Lucht Oibre.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: We are not here to talk about septic tank charge.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State. I am pleased to follow Senator Kelly but I wish to stick to parts of the Bill. I have several questions for the Minister of State. I have been on record for many years in support of metering of water.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: No, fan noméid. The question is how and when it is done, what the priorities are, and to ensure it is fair and metered. The Minister of State will know that in the north east, where we both live, in Fingal and Louth county Council there are issues with the loss of water before it gets to the taps and the consumer. I realise there are details in the capital programme on the spend. What...

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Perhaps the Minister of State will expand on that in his reply. I fundamentally disagree with the idea, but this debate provides an opportunity for the Minister of State to give clarity on many of the areas where, frankly, there has been a good deal of confusion. We could blame the devil and all, but the fact is that people are not clear on how it will work. I have a major problem with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: What will happen when they do so?

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: No, we do not.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Why did the Minister not mention it?

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: At 11 p.m. the Senator would be a barman's worst nightmare.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the announcement that our MEPs are to address the Seanad. It is important, at a time when we hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, to be given a view of the work being done by our MEPs in the European Parliament. Such addresses would be appropriate business to schedule in the future on an annual or biannual basis. People may complain that they do not have much...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Get to it then.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: What is wrong with it?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Cathaoirleach, the Leader and all my colleagues on all sides of the House back to what I hope and am sure will be a very productive session. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I would like to pass on our deepest sympathies to Senator Clune and her family on the recent passing of her mother. We certainly agree with the Leader's sentiments. I do not intend to go into the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: He made his reasons very clear but I raise the matter in the context of-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I certainly am, but I want to broaden the debate with regard to sentencing. While the judge made his reasons very clear, people in his position have a duty of care to citizens, including that lady who waived her anonymity to go to court and stand up to her abuser but got no protection from the justice system. Frankly, I am disgusted. I will move on from this.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I will move on from that but I want to put on the record of the House my disgust and that of my party with that sentence. I call for a debate on an independent sentencing committee. My colleague in the Dáil, Deputy Niall Collins, and Councillor Jim O'Callaghan have prepared a Bill that would establish an independent sentencing committee to which cases such as this could be referred....

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree with what Senator Reilly has said. Amendments Nos. 18 and 27 are in my name and they make similar proposals to what has been outlined by Senator Reilly. I mentioned on Second Stage that the Minister has gone against the recommendation of the Thornhill report in this regard. On Second Stage, I provided specific figures with regard to Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council....