Results 24,541-24,560 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We did not get metro north but we got the model railway.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leader for outlining the legislative programme. Last week, I asked Senator Bacik in her role as Acting Leader about the timing of the referendum campaign. I welcome this and all of us as individuals or as members of our parties should use that week to canvas in a very constructive manner for a "Yes" vote. I commend everyone who contributed to the debate on the Social Welfare and...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This is not the way. The Minister stated a "No" vote in the EU treaty referendum will mean a "dramatically more difficult" budget in December. This is not the case because we are in the programme and the budgetary process has been set. I have stated consistently that if we speak about the treaty we should speak about its merits-----

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: -----and the treaty itself and the fact it will give us economic stability and access to funds should we require it. The Government should not be threatening people-----

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: -----by stating if there is a "No" vote they will pay more tax and have more cuts and austerity. While I have much regard for the Minister, this follows other comments made by the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, and the Minister, Deputy Coveney. With four weeks to go, I ask the Government very simply to be aware the treaty itself has many merits and we should stick to these. We should...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Sorry, but I feel very strongly about this. Whether the Leader agrees with the Minister for Finance or not I ask him to bring back my view on this as someone who is very positive towards the treaty and who will vote "Yes". I will also write the Minister for Finance on this. The Government needs to get the information campaign up and running. When will it begin? When will the citizens of...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Can one not be both?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not correct for this year or next.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We referred briefly to this last Friday. We proposed inserting a new section in the Bill but it was ruled out of order. It would have allowed early access to tax free cash for funded pension schemes. I believe there is merit in that proposal. I am aware from our discussion on Friday that the Minister intends to bring forward more substantial pension legislation and we welcome that. We...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: For a long time Senator Cullinane did not like the whole Constitution. At least he has a problem with only one section now.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: May I ask a question on the amendments prior to the Minister's arrival?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine. The list of amendments is dated 27 April. Will we have another list of the amendments which will be re-tabled for Report Stage?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: As we are discussing amendments Nos. 6 and 7 together I wish to speak. These matters were discussed at length and I do not propose to go over all of the details we covered on the previous occasion. These similar amendments from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin cover the provision of a sufficient number of additional affordable after-school care places to meet demand. This follows the Minister's...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We all agree that we want improved outcomes and I agree with the Minister's comments about ensuring the payments made to lone parents in the child care sector are targeted. I agree, to a large degree, that the cash payment to families does not necessarily find the way down to children and where it is supposed to be paid. We discussed this with regard to the free preschool year. When the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not. The Government is not accepting the amendments being tabled and we are being asked to take the word of the Minister. We will be making changes to the lone parent payments but no additional child care is being provided. The Minister has not repeated what she stated in the Dáil, and I will not do so. She has not told us when there will be a report to Cabinet, how many additional...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Absolutely.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senator knew what was going to be in place.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not true. There are 170 people affected straight away. What about them?