Results 25,461-25,480 of 26,666 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I was coming to that. I could come into the Chamber and shout and roar at the Minister of State. However, he knows my point. This is wrong. It is wrong that these posts are not advertised. It was wrong when it was done by previous Governments-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: -----and it is wrong now.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: There are more and more of these posts. In the Taoiseach's office there are four such appointments, at a cost to the taxpayer of €440,000. I want to know if these people are qualified. The Bill is important. It reaffirms the wish of the people concerning the 29th amendment to the Constitution but it does not go far enough in cutting pension payments to former officeholders and former...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: A short debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The deal stated the rate should rise 1% in 2012 and another 1% in 2013, not 2% in one year.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Leader is incorrect and he knows that. The deal stated the rate should rise 1% in 2012 and another 1% in 2013, not 2% in one year.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, it is.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yesterday I raised the proposed cuts in the disability allowance both on the Order of Business and during the debate on the budget. I asked the Leader and his colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, to raise it with the respective Ministers. I am pleased that it appears the Government will row back on this. I watched what the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, said last night in response...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am disappointed that no additional time was given yesterday evening for many speakers still offering for the debate on the budget. The budget is crucial in that it sets out the financial strategy of the Government for the coming year. Legislation will follow and we will consider the social welfare Bill here for two days next week, which is important. However, many people were offering...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: -----due to a direct conflict of interest that the Minister has.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Really.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik is going well this morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: With all due respect, there is no point in Deputy Bacik standing here lecturing us.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik dismissed it yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. There was a reference earlier to the manner in which the Bill is being brought through. Will the Minister of State accept amendments after Second Stage for Committee Stage? This should not be taken out of my time because it is a procedural question. The problem is that the Bill was introduced quickly and we had a deadline of 10 p.m. this morning.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State and I appreciate it. I ask the Minister to indicate in his summation the other exemptions he will examine. I agree with Senator Landy on OAPs, the unemployed, people with medical cards, those in negative equity and people in receipt of family income supplement. The comments of the Minister of State on the amendments we will table on Committee Stage will frame...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Will they be dispersed on the basis of payment?

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Bill will address the general point. I ask the Minister of State to deal with shared and affordable housing. Social housing is exempt, which is right. Unfortunately Deputy Penrose is no longer Minister of State. I raised the issue of arrears on shared ownership and affordable housing with him, which are over 18.5% on average and over 20% in some local authorities, with him. They do...