Results 3,101-3,120 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (20 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to the House. Fianna Fáil supports this Bill. As promised by Fianna Fáil prior to the last election, we are endeavouring to be a responsible Opposition party and to be constructive.

Seanad: Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (20 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: As mentioned by the Minister of State in his opening speech on the Bill, the Fianna Fáil Party spokesperson on finance in the Dáil, Deputy Michael McGrath, previously introduced two Private Members' Bills, the thrust of which were accepted by the Minister for Finance and are now incorporated into Part 10 of this Bill dealing with the regulation of debt management firms and Part 12,...

Seanad: Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (20 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The Leader has made a sensible suggestion for dealing with the Health (Amendment) Bill and we would have no difficulty with taking Committee and Remaining Stages today. I agree with the Leader. All of us are absolutely disgusted and horrified by what we heard in the recent revelations. I will not comment further on them for the very reason the Leader mentioned because we all need to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: ----- that prejudiced subsequent court cases. We need to be aware that there are ongoing investigations by the Garda, the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Financial Regulator. While they are very important, we all agree that the public deserve answers. I heard the Minister, Deputy Howlin, speak on the radio this morning. It is important that whatever investigation is established...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It was raised by a number of colleagues on all sides of the House, including Senator Mary Ann O'Brien and many others. This is too important an issue to let go. The Minister should go further and ensure that the cuts to special needs assistants' hours are also reversed.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It has been made.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is interesting to note that five Bills have been tabled for today, one of which relates to the abolition of the Seanad. In the House, the Taoiseach will propose the Seanad's abolition without having anything to replace it. Most of us would condemn the fact that the Government guillotined this Bill in the Dáil last night, allowing only 40 minutes for Committee Stage. The idea that...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: This shows the esteem in which he holds Bunreacht na hÉireann and the Oireachtas, but that is a matter for another day. Rather, it is for later today. I am looking forward to it, as I am sure are most of my colleagues on both sides of the House. Tomorrow, the new code of conduct on mortgage arrears will be published. Will the Leader allow time next week? The schedule in this...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (26 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Well done.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach on his second visit to this House in the two and a half years since he assumed office. I respect the Taoiseach and his office but I expect the Taoiseach to respect the Oireachtas, as elected. I put it to the Taoiseach that the fact that he has only once, prior to this day, attended the Chamber in his tenure shows he does not fully respect the Oireachtas...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: We are going to have a debate, which I welcome, by the way, and I welcome a referendum on this in the context that we can actually discuss real reform. I call on the Taoiseach to reflect on the reform that he and his Government have brought through since he was elected. He has abolished Údarás na Gaeltachta and reduced the number of county councillors. The Taoiseach referred to...

Seanad: Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (27 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is interesting we are inserting new sections and making amendments. The irony is not lost on me that this is being done in the Seanad. Given the proposed abolition of the Seanad, perhaps the Minister will mention it to the Taoiseach that these mistakes were made in Dáil Éireann or that are things which were not included there. How would this proceed if there were no Seanad...

Seanad: Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (27 Jun 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is interesting we are inserting new sections and making amendments. The irony is not lost on me that this is being done in the Seanad. Given the proposed abolition of the Seanad, perhaps the Minister will mention it to the Taoiseach that these mistakes were made in Dáil Éireann or that are things which were not included there. How would this proceed if there were no Seanad...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Several weeks ago I asked the Leader to arrange a debate in the House in advance of publication of the new revised code of conduct on mortgage arrears. After learning the details of the revised code of conduct, the matter has become so urgent that I am proposing an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Finance or his deputy, the Minister of State at the Department of...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Adams might answer questions about tapes.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: And the new code of conduct on mortgage arrears that the Government brought in.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is presided over by the Government Senator Higgins supports.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Jul 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is going well for three or four years.