Results 24,361-24,380 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: The Cathaoirleach mentioned there is a lot of map reading going on this morning. I commend the Constituency Commission on its work but we cannot forget that it leads to a reduction in representation. I welcome the reunification of Swords and the correction of a number of anomalies in the system. Later, we will debate the Gaeltacht Bill, which represents another diminution of democracy with...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I have listened with great interest to all sides in this debate but, unfortunately, it reminds me of watching the Ireland-Spain game in that everything was coming from one side. That is a shame. I have never seen that. I served in the previous Dáil when the Government took very difficult decisions and I do not recall such an instance whereby Members were told not to speak in a democratic...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I would never try to silence any of my colleagues on any matter, regardless of their opinions. If we do not allow freedom of expression in this House, what is the basis for the debate? I ask the Leader to be constructive so that the Taoiseach may be aware today that the Seanad exists. We, as Opposition, have tabled a number of Bills, some very important, for example, Senator MacSharry's...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This is happening at a time when we have serious issues to debate. For example, the next time the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will be in this House, he will be considering closing down town councils. Tomorrow, we will have An Bille Gaeltachta 2012, which will remove the rights of people in Gaeltacht regions to elect their own representatives. We have the...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: They were just thrown in together and the number of chairpersons was reduced. However, last week the number was increased again. All that is being done is window-dressing, not real reform. All we are asking for today is real reform and I thank all colleagues from all sides who contributed to the debate. It is a shame that some Senators have remained silent and have allowed themselves be...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is very sad. Before this debate concludes, I would love for the Leader and Senator Bacik, who has just come into the Chamber, to tell us why they took a decision to tell their colleagues they were not allowed speak on this debate. If that is the way a government behaves towards its colleagues, how will it behave towards opposition parties? The Minister of State present will not...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Before the Senator starts, will the Leader extend the debate by 15 minutes to allow those others who wish to contribute do so. There are only three further speakers.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I respectfully ask the Leader to allow this.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Just another 15 minutes.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: First, I commend the House on taking a significant decision.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Tuigim. However, I ask the Leader to arrange that a Minister be present to take this important debate. As the House has decided, correctly in my view, that this significant motion be taken, I request that a Minister be present. If it is necessary to suspend the sitting for 20 to 30 minutes to facilitate a Minister to come in to take this debate, that should happen. The Seanad took an...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I seek clarification on a point from the Cathaoirleach. The Leader obviously must accept the motion as tabled, on the basis of the vote of the House. However, if the Opposition's position is that it does not accept the amended Order of Business, on the basis that the Leader will not facilitate the attendance of a Minister to take this important debate, how would the motion stand in that...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Is it correct that the motion must be taken one way or the other?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: While I am not trying to complicate matters, I seek a point of clarification. Should Members oppose the Order of Business today, the motion must still be taken first before any other business because this is what the House has agreed. I note the presence of a Minister outside the Chamber, who was due to take the business and I ask the Leader that this Minister or another should attend. I...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Members on this side will oppose it.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: No.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We will oppose it.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leader for his suggestion. May I propose that the House sitting be suspended for 15 minutes to allow the Whips to discuss what he has outlined? It would be our preference to have a Minister in the House for this very important debate, given that Seanad reform is included in the constitutional convention. With respect for the House, I do not wish to disrupt the business of the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Will the Leader propose this?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Is the Leader proposing that we proceed with Nos. 1 and 2 and that the debate on Seanad reform will take place after that, following the meeting of the Whips?