Results 3,621-3,640 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I extend sympathy to Senator Eamonn Coghlan on the passing of his mother. I am delighted to see Ms Jody Blake here today. I am sure that she will be the judge of whether she has returned to a revised, rejuvenated and reformed Seanad. I am sure that we missed her more than she missed us. It is great to see her back. On behalf of my group, my...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: -----but that is what I am starting to believe. It seems this plan will be published when neither House is sitting. If that is the case, the Leader should give a commitment that this House will be recalled to discuss that specific item. He has given a commitment, which I welcome, that when the HSE service plan is published a full debate will take place in the House with the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: We had a full debate on it during the summer.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I am working on it.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That could be said about-----

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Sponsored by Guinness.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I thought that the Senator grew up in Dublin.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Which one?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the matter on the Adjournment proposed by Senator Marie Moloney. I am glad she has raised this matter as I raised this very point in the House. In the north Dublin area there has been no funding for breast prosthesis since last June. Fifty-five women in north Dublin are waiting for breast prosthesis. I hope Senator Moloney gets a decent response from the Minister for Health...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Let us have an answer. He is just raising a point.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The respite care grant cut was very helpful in that context.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: We heard the Minister's interview.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I support the amendment on the basis that it will give additional clarity, although I have an overall concern with the Bill. I know the Minister is grappling with a very difficult situation in pensions reform and I understand there will be more coming down the road from her Department. If one thinks about the area of added years to retirees, Senator Barrett will be aware that our...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The Committee of Public Accounts investigated that at the time. That was against Government advice and against an order given by the then Minister for Finance, the late Brian Lenihan. In that context, one can see the power trustees had to grant additional service without taking into account any additional cost to the rest of the scheme. I know Senator Barrett is aware of that and I want to...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Double only in this instance.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I formally second the amendment. I concur with what my colleague, Senator Jim Walsh, has said. This is the fundamental issue that my colleagues and I have with this Bill. The Long Title of the Bill is ambiguous because it highlights very clearly the double insolvency. It includes the additional wording at the end "to make additional provision for the restructuring of certain occupational...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That is incorrect.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Most Irish pension funds were heavily invested abroad.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: What percentage of Irish pensions were invested in Irish equities and banks?