Results 3,441-3,460 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Stop, that is not true.

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: People like that represent a small proportion. We are discussing large, managed funds.

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is a first to hear a Labour Senator say that.

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Fair play to Senator Hayden. That is so good of her.

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: My God.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Are we leaving No. 1 open ended?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine. It is an important debate. We have all been contacted by our respective county enterprise boards, CEBs. Undoubtedly, improvements can be made. Some CEBs perform better than others, but their dissolution and subsumption into local authorities will remove local focus. CEBs support start-up and existing businesses in specific areas. It is flawed legislation that my group will...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: There was a discussion at the Labour parliamentary party meeting about it yesterday evening.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: What about discretionary medical cards?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: What time does the Leader expect to take the statements on political reform?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Okay. It is good to be back. It has been a very difficult number of months for every Member. During that time Senators endeavoured to do their work as best they could, although unquestionably it was under a cloud. Sometimes when the spotlight is focused on individuals it makes us all think about the job we do, how well we do it and, in some instances, how we do not do it well and where we...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I will leave that to Senator Norris to discuss. During the course of the campaign there was a focus on our political structures, not just the Seanad, which is a good thing. What is not good, and is a matter we must get into straightaway, is the budget. Let us have no doubt about the timing of this referendum. With a week to go to the budget, when we will be discussing old age pensions,...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the debate. This will not be the only one we have and it was appropriate to have a discussion on this issue today. Other Members thought we should have waited until Thursday but I did not agree because one must strike while the iron is hot. I agree with most, if not all, of the Leader's contribution on the basis that we must think carefully about what needs to happen next. I do...

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes. I ask the Leader to jump in at any stage. It could be good not to have a Minister present in order that we can have a proper interactive discussion. The Leader should feel free to jump in. We should consider providing more time whereby Members can bring forward their own legislation. While I acknowledge the intention behind these debates, the Topical Issues debate format in the...

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I backed the Leader 100% on that last year but we have taken our foot off the pedal. Senators have an equal say on joint Oireachtas committees. If we have to facilitate the commencement of committee meetings while the Order of Business is taking place in the House, we should not do so and we should seek a change to the time committees meet. I would also look into the Leader's suggestion...

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Some 3% on those over €100,000.

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senator should justify that claim.

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senator should talk to the Minister of State. It is his budget.