Results 25,401-25,420 of 26,666 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Government has not maintained them. It is better to be upfront with people. The Government could not meet the promises it made in its election manifestos or the programme for Government. Of course savings must be made in social welfare. It is an issue with which the previous Government tried to grapple without the support of Fine Gael or the Labour Party. The Minister was correct to...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I appreciated the Minister's contribution to this debate. She stated that she was facing a difficult situation, namely, the deficit in the Social Insurance Fund. I agree with her in this regard, but the deficit will worsen if she allows employers to pay less into the fund. If Senator Bacik wishes to continue an argument that is irrelevant to this section — if she wanted to grand stand,...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister will agree that my party is taking the Bill seriously. Our spokesman, Senator Mooney, is going through each section, we are affording the Minister an opportunity to respond, as we should, and we are listening to her. I will watch for the next few hours. I will not allow this debate to disintegrate into the usual rubbish thrown across the floor by Senator Bacik.

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

Darragh O'Brien: My party is perfectly entitled to raise any issue or question. We produced an alternative, costed budget. We will stand over our decisions in this Chamber. I will not listen to criticism from the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Less than the cut.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree, that is why I thought the Minister for Finance should have done the same.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Where is the strategic investment bank?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I wish to clarify the procedure with regard to the Social Welfare Bill. Is it correct that the Leader proposes to guillotine that at 4 p.m.?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: We are far more cerebral in this House and may need a little more time. I oppose a guillotine and ask the Leader to be flexible with the time allowed for the Social Welfare Bill. There are many sections in the Bill and many important issues to be raised. Everyone who wants to contribute to the debate should be allowed to do so. Yesterday, last week and the previous week, I raised the issue...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, well I advise Senator Kelly — I hope he is watching on the monitor — not to bother coming in and listening to the rebuff the Minister gave me yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I ask furthermore——

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am just giving him advice. He should, but if he gets the response I got, he would be better served making a few phone calls.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Will the Leader confirm on the question I raised yesterday that in early January we will have a proper debate on the issue of the Garda station closures and restrictions across the country, which are of great concern to citizens throughout the island? This issue needs to be addressed and I hope the Minister will be in better form early in the new year and we may be able to engage properly on...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: President Sarkozy stated that we would have it by Christmas.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Certainly not.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Does the Senator have another job?

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Catherine Noone should show us she is serious.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Today.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Senator Barrett for the work he has put into the Bill. When the Government is looking at the merits of work done in the Houses of the Oireachtas it will be clear that one Independent Senator has been able to produce a clear, concise and effective Bill where swarms of advisers in the Department of Finance have been unable to do so.