Results 16,181-16,200 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Capital Expenditure Programme (3 Nov 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: An examination of records indicates that my Department has not engaged in any capital project costing €20 million or more in the period from 2016 to date. Local authorities and bodies under the aegis of my Department enter into capital contracts in the course of their work, some of which is funded through the Department's Vote. As regards contracts for which local authorities are...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I am grateful to this House and Dáil Éireann for facilitating the passage of this critical legislation through the Oireachtas. I am conscious that the Seanad has been given limited time to examine the Bill and table amendments for debate. As colleagues know, I am a strong supporter of the Upper House, having been leader of the Opposition here for five years - in the other Chamber,...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: How long do I have?

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I hope I get back those ten seconds. As I have not had an opportunity to do so in person, I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach on his elevation. I thank Senators for their support and queries and I will deal with as many of them as possible in the short space of time I have. I assure Senators that I spoke with the Leader a number of weeks ago and I intend to come here for a specific...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: This issue arose previously, and there is one element that is relevant to the rent-a-room aspect. It was mentioned by Senator Seery Kearney as well. It is not for a landlord to decide if it is a rent-a-room situation or a real tenancy. The RTB can adjudicate on that point. Regarding this amendment, I cannot accept it. The Residential Tenancies Acts do not apply to licensing arrangements,...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: To answer Senator Burke's question, later this afternoon the Seanad will debate the Health (Amendment) Bill that deals with the fines aspects. In terms of a breach due to exceeding the number of people allowed in a home, the person legally responsible in that instance is the tenant if he or she is in charge of the house. That is something for later this afternoon when the health legislation...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: It is the tenants' problem. I try to do things that are realistic.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I have explained, Senator. He is here on his own. I respect this House, have come in here and asked the House for forbearance so that I can bring in this legislation that provides protections to tenants that are required in the middle of a pandemic, like I did in July. If we need additional protections into the future, as I said in July I would return to both Houses and introduce those,...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I take the point made by the Senator but there are six amendments in this grouping.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not even need to speak to the amendment; I could just say that I am not accepting them.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: It is important, out of respect to Senators, that I explain why that is the case. Senators, including Senator Higgins, have gone to the trouble of preparing and tabling these amendments and I will not delay much further. An issue that has arisen a number of times is the sale of property being used as a reason to terminate a tenancy. There are about 200 ongoing investigations into that at...

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: It is proposed, notwithstanding the Resolutions of the Dáil of 10th September, 2020 and 21st October, 2020, that - (a) the schedule for the Dáil sitting week contained in Appendix 1 of the Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform dated 8th September, 2020, is agreed to have effect until 17th December,2020, save that the Dáil shall meet on...

Fourth Report of the Committee of Selection: Motion (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: That Dáil Éireann: (a) approves the Fourth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection in accordance with Standing Order 34, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 22th October, 2020, and appoints members to Select Committees accordingly, and (b) appoints Deputy Joe McHugh to be Chairman of the Committee on Members’ Interests of...

Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: That was not in August. I will clarify the matter in my response.

Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputies have covered a lot of details in discussing these amendments. We are dealing with the reality of the situation and putting practical measures in place. The Bill represents the second very significant addition to tenancy protections that the Government has introduced since late July. I welcome the conversion that some on the far left and Sinn Féin have come to by...

Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: He did declare it.

Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I have tried to address the queries that have been raised regarding the amendments. I point out to Deputy Barry that I know exactly what he stated in the House. That is the reality of it and it is important. I do not see what anyone's background has to do with the matter. It is not for me to hold a candle to anyone. If a Deputy is elected to the House, he or she is entitled to speak. It...

Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: It might have been Deputy Barry who said it.

Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I would not like to misrepresent what the Member said, so I will withdraw that claim. I have regard for Deputy Boyd Barrett.

Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: On Deputy Bríd Smith's comments on the Business Committee, I am not a member of it and I do not make those decisions. While I recognise she was in here working, the officials in my Department, the Attorney General's office and the Bills Office were working full tilt in the preparation of this emergency legislation. I know the Deputy knows that. I mentioned to colleagues earlier that...