Results 23,661-23,680 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: We did not ask inane questions for an hour and half yesterday on the section, in which Senator Bacik repeatedly got up and asked questions about the Title of the Bill. We knew exactly what was happening yesterday.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I will but that is the reason we find ourselves in this situation.

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

Darragh O'Brien: It is a good job that Sinn Féin tabled the amendment. This shows how ridiculous is the procedure being used here today. The only way we can stand up and discuss the respite care grant today is by speaking against the Title of the Bill. We intend to do so and the sooner we move towards a vote the better. We will return to this on Fifth Stage.

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

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I second the amendment. My party and I completely and utterly disagree with the ruling of the Chair in respect of amendment No. 3 and related amendments tabled by Independent Senators and Sinn Féin. I have been told that we cannot seek to delete the Government's proposal to cut ¤26 million from the respite care grant. We are being told we cannot discuss it because it is a potential...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We are calling for the House to be adjourned so that the Leaders and Whips can get together and discuss the matter.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Excuse me. If we are not going to be allowed to vote on this we should not be wasting time on it.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This is outrageous.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: If I may, I seek the direction of the Chair with regard to the Social Welfare Bill.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This is important. We did not know at the Order of Business stage that, effectively, any amendment on section 5 will not, I understand, be discussed, even though section 5 was not voted on because all Stages were voted on. I am looking for clarification. Will we be able to vote on section 5 of the Social Welfare Bill on Report Stage?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It is not a question of the amendments. I am not trying to pose any difficulty. I am just asking a question.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not what I am asking. While I disagree with some of your rulings on the amendments, we will discuss that on the Social Welfare Bill, which is fine. What I am asking now is in regard to section 5, which is the respite care grant section. The Cathaoirleach is suggesting this section cannot be discussed on Report Stage. Is that correct?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: On what basis?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We did not vote on that section. I consider this crucially important. Not only did we have yesterday a deliberate filibuster by the Minister and Government Senators, we now have a situation-----

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This is very important.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It is completely relevant.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: The Cathaoirleach is telling me that section 5 of this Bill in regard to the cut in the respite care grants cannot even be discussed on Report Stage-----

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Will the Cathaoirleach clarify this? Is it true?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: What is the position?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Can section 5 be voted on at Report Stage?