Results 25,381-25,400 of 26,666 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I will start on a positive aspect. The Minister's comments in regard to protecting universal——

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister's comments in respect of protecting universality are crucially important. She will have a battle in doing so during the next few years. The Minister's constituency in Dublin West is similar to mine in north Dublin. A family who may appear to be financially comfortable are not in many cases. Senator van Turnhout referred to the increasing birth rate. Many of those fall within...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I apologise.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Well done. Many people are seeking credit. That resulted in substantial savings. Two thirds of the budget was the early payment supplement on the birth of a child in year one that was put into the child care sector. It ensured that the money went directly to the children for the children's benefit. The Minister has to perform a balancing act and we have got to think outside the box on...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister did not use the word "wonderful".

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am glad the Minister, Deputy Burton, is in the Chair and not Senator Healy Eames.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It is not often that Sinn Féin is the source of a compromise.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Section 5.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: On Committee Stage in the Dáil the section was amended to reduce it from 520 weeks. As my colleague has said, the Minister is introducing a two-year increase in contributions, which is significant.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am looking at section 5.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Section 5 states, "that the claimant has qualifying contributions in respect of not less than 260 contribution weeks" and the section is called "State pension (contributory) and State pension (transition) — conditions for receipt."

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Perhaps to save time, I might let Senator Cullinane in and I can come in after.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: A fundamental problem is that these are some of the changes in eligibility for contributory pension which the public does not fully understand. I note the death must occur after 27 December 2013. To give an example, a new male or female applicant at home who has worked for a period may have qualifying contributions of less than 260. The Minister mentioned the importance for those working...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: No, I would not agree with zero contributions.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Section 4(2)(b)(i) amends the 2010 Social Welfare Act by inserting the following subsection (3A): Subsection (3) shall not apply and no increase of State pension (contributory) payable under subsection (2) in respect of a qualified child who normally resides with the beneficiary and with the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the beneficiary shall be payable where the weekly income of...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Did the Labour Party not say it would reinstate the Christmas bonus? Should we not discuss the cuts at all? Is that right?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for her clarification. The Opposition is entitled to raise any query or make any comment that is valid. I have spent nine months listening to certain Members on the Government side, Senator Bacik in particular, claiming that we have no such entitlement.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It is rubbish. We are trying to pick through the Social Welfare Bill in a constructive manner with the Minister so that she can answer our questions. Indeed, the Minister is endeavouring to do so. We will decide how to vote on each amendment and section. This is the start of a debate on important legislation and I will not take such claims from Senator Bacik, the leader of the Labour...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Through the Chair, neither I nor my colleagues will accept it. I do not want the debate to disintegrate into political muck-throwing across the floor, given the fact that people outside the Houses will be affected by these cuts. I understand that the Minister has a difficult job. I understood the same of all previous Ministers for Social Protection, but less understanding was given to them...