Results 23,641-23,660 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: Section 3 defines the relevant categories of residential property. It was announced in the budget that when the property tax comes into effect in July 2013 it will replace the household charge. However, I cannot find a reference to the non-principal private residence charge. Perhaps the Minister will address that issue in the finance Bill. Why would he hit people on the double by not...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Who said that?

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

Darragh O'Brien: Section 3 defines the relevant categories of residential property. It was announced in the budget that when the property tax comes into effect in July 2013 it will replace the household charge. However, I cannot find a reference to the non-principal private residence charge. Perhaps the Minister will address that issue in the finance Bill. Why would he hit people on the double by not...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Who said that?

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister has already answered the question of Senator Norris about what the rush was. He has explained the work that must be done with the Revenue in preparation. I realise the Minister does not schedule the business here but, unfortunately, there will be a guillotine at 5:30 p.m. There are several well thought out amendments on each section which we will not get to at this stage. We...

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

Darragh O'Brien: That is more an indictment of RTE.

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

Darragh O'Brien: Fianna Fáil has tabled a number of similar amendments to section 10.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I do not intend to.

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

Darragh O'Brien: That is the last thing I would want to do.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I am interested in hearing the Minister's response to this amendment, in particular subsection (c), which relates to adaptations to houses, including the installation of downstairs showers and so on for disabled people. Later amendments tabled by Fianna Fáil relate to negative equity and stamp duty, which we can discuss when we reach them.

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

Darragh O'Brien: The research office is obviously working very well. I was not present at the time in question and certainly did not say that.

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

Darragh O'Brien: As I said on Second Stage, I bought a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Dublin for ¤580,000 in 2007 and know all about it. That is our position. My question relates to the Minister's response on exemptions, not that on charities. When the measure is introduced, a review will be important. A fundamental mistake is to provide for exemptions, for specified periods, for first-time buyers...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I may be, but perhaps the Minister might explain the exemption for those who will now be buying houses at half the price paid by others who, in many instances, paid stamp duty. Those who did not pay stamp duty and bought brand new houses paid considerable sums in VAT. This is never discussed in the debate. I do not understand the Minister's policy.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Fifth Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I will be quick. I regret very much that the business of the House has been curtailed in the past couple of days. We have, however, tried to be constructive and there are some positive measures included in the Bill. I welcome the additional training places and the small number of additional child care places. As I said on Second Stage, I have a great deal of regard for the Minister and...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It should not be out of order.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I am formally calling for a suspension of the House, so that the Leaders and the Whips of each group will meet the Cathaoirleach. Mistakes can be made. We should take the opportunity to discuss specifically the ruling out of order of amendments on the respite care grant.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not our fault.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, I do.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I respect that a Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I formally seconded amendment No. 1. It is unfortunate that we are in a position that we must table amendments to the Title of the Bill to show our disgust with the measures that have been taken in the Bill. I am speaking on the amendment. The time is limited. As an aside let me say to Senator Keane that it is not our fault that the time for debate is restricted. We did not seek a...