Results 3,341-3,360 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I am not making an issue of that at all. The social welfare system is a shambles. Perhaps some official would note my query on what seems to be a policy emanating from the Department or the Minister to rural social welfare office that they delay, defer and if possible delete claimants? I am in public life for almost 30 years and I am appalled at the delays in the system, the application...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: Ten years ago we did not have a problem with social welfare because there was nearly full employment. I know we operate within financial constraints, but the ordinary citizen must be afforded respect when he or she applies for social welfare. The attitude now seems to be, "if in doubt, cut them out". I am aware that people now go to the Society of St Vincent de Paul, and go for...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: It was from the heart.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Minister for coming into the House to take this Adjournment matter. It gives me no pleasure to raise this matter again and it is with a heavy heart and great regret that I do so. This is the third or fourth time I have raised this issue. One incident of flooding that affected the middle-eastern region, including Skibbereen, occurred when my party was in power. As the Minister...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I will be brief. I thank the Minister of State. I accept that the council and the OPW are probably doing the best they can. I will continue to hold a watching brief in this regard, even if I will not be able to keep as close an eye on the matter as the Skibbereen flood committee and the others who are working to allay these difficulties. The Minister of State can relay that message to his...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: Listening to Senator Martin Conway, one is left wondering what we as a society are at. I spoke last night on the Adjournment about efforts to prevent flooding in places like Skibbereen, Bandon, Clonakilty and Bantry. The same water seems to be a problem for people in Dublin, but sin ceist eile. Will the Leader agree to a debate, if not before Christmas then in the new year, on the issue of...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, to the House and I call on him to proceed with the Bill.

Seanad: Visit of Chinese Delegation (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: Before asking the Minister to resume, I am sure Members of the House wish to join with me in welcoming the Chairman of the Shanghai Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, CPPCC, Mr. Wu Zhiming, and a delegation from the Shanghai CPPCC. They are more than welcome and on my own behalf and that of all my colleagues in Seanad Éireann, I extend a warm welcome to them, as well as...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: That is agreed. The Senators have four minutes each. I will be especially attentive to notify Senator Norris when his time is up, as he did not listen to me yesterday.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I am very accommodating, as Senator Norris knows.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the Minister to the House. As my colleague, Senator Byrne said, we support the Bill in principle but I support what Senator Sheahan said with regard to rural Senators. If the plan to abolish the Seanad had worked out for the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, we would be all wagging our tails and it would be a case of croppies lie down; we would just have to take our beating and walk...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: There is a certain concept or notion that is being used and abused. I was at the Galway Races this year for the first time ever. It was a very wet evening and I would have loved to have seen a tent somewhere. The notion that everyone from Fianna Fáil went up to the Galway tent to collect brown envelopes and black envelopes is a load of rubbish.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I have stood for seven Dáil elections. The year before last was the first time I got a few bob from my own Dáilcheantar - from my own organisation - towards the cost of running. I ran the campaigns at my own expense. I know we want transparency, but everyone should not be tainted with the same brush.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: The Senator spoke about the concept of the Galway tent as if everyone in Fianna Fáil got riches and riches. Maybe there were abuses.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: The Senator made a clear innuendo. The Galway tent was where Fianna Fáil people used to come together at a certain time of the year to collect money.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I think the Senator's innuendo was very clear. I will conclude on that point. I had not intended to speak. I support what Senator Sheahan and others have said. There needs to be a rethink of the current system so that Senators can avail of a fair, proper and transparent system of funding. If the Government does not provide for that, it will kill us in another way.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: The Senator is, perhaps, straying from the bosom of the debate.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: The Senator is wandering from section 6.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I decide what is relevant.