Results 2,321-2,340 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for being present today as I am aware he is under pressure and has a series of meetings.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I will not detain him. I apologise for the mix-up that occurred previously. The Minister is familiar with the plans and proposals on the rejuvenation and re-establishment of the Irish sugar industry and its potential for jobs. Most independent people believe there is the possibility of creating 4,500 jobs over time in this industry time. We import 80% of our sugar from British Sugar. The...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Me too.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his commitment to this issue and I know he will be open to any further queries or ideas we may have on it. It is clear from his comprehensive response that not only does he fully understand but he fully appreciates the potential for jobs within this industry and for a reduction in costs. I thank him for taking the time out of his schedule today to come here; I know...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy Leader will see from the agenda today and on Thursday, vast swathes of time are available to this House to do far more important things. There is one item after the Order of Business today and on Thursday. Will the Deputy Leader follow up with the Whips office the position of this House in regard to scrutinising proposed EU legislation and statutory instruments from Ministers?...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Fan go bhfeicimid.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We do indeed.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We do not want to see him fail.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Is the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade not making that decision now?

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Noone has our support.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Conway needs to catch up. We have a population of more than 3 million people.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That was a previously arranged meeting.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I am convinced now that Senator Conway has said it that we will get a deal. I can sleep well. We need Senator Conway in Europe.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome No. 20, motion No. 10 on Bahrain, which is signed by all the group leaders. I ask that we keep a very serious watching brief on this situation. I am in regular contact with the Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-violence Organization, BRAVO, which is a group of Irish and Bahraini medics in Ireland. We should keep a very close eye on the situation there. The ESB announced that its...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We are just a few days away from the referendum on Saturday and we should use the opportunity today to encourage as many people as possible to come out and vote. Most Members of parties - and those of no affiliation - are supporting a "Yes" vote, believing it is very important and in the interests of our children. It is important that the turnout is high on Saturday and that there is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It is quality, not quantity.

Seanad: Youth Unemployment and Public Policy: Address by Professor Christopher Pissarides (Resumed) (8 Nov 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome Professor Pissarides to the House. He referred to the importance of capital investment. Up to 2010 this country had a capital investment programme of up to 5% of GNP and it is now closer to 3%. A cut in the capital programme is seen by many governments as being the easy option. In the most recent budget there was a further cut of ¤750 million. It is difficult for governments...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the passing of the children's rights referendum. We all have many lessons to learn from the referendum. The low turnout was, whether we like it, an indictment of the political system and how all of us in all parties and none - I will not apportion blame - worked towards the referendum. The result was not a resounding "Yes" but I still firmly believe the changes to be brought...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We funded the "Yes" campaign ourselves.