Results 361-380 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Specifically on the recommendation, I thank the Minister of State for clarifying his position. It is interesting to note, and I take the Minister of State at his word, that the pensions industry has not responded to correspondence from the Minister for Finance at a point when the Bill is before this House and will be dealt with this week. This is an indictment of the industry that I find...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: That sounds like Soviet republics which take people's savings as well.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I was in school then.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Finally-----

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: We have and, in fairness, I do not want to delay the debate any further. The Minister of State made the point as to why the Government should accept these recommendations. He said the pensions should find a way to absorb this fee. If so, why in God's name let them off the hook by stating in the Bill that the Minister can adjust benefits within an existing scheme for people who are due to...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am glad to hear that because we might be able to find a way of dealing with this matter. As the Minister of State said, under current legislation the Revenue Commissioners are entitled to review any approved pension schemes, which is fine. They can write to any administrator and say they want to review any schemes, as can the Pensions Board. What therefore will the Revenue Commissioners...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: That is useful information, but I must pose a question on the basis of the Minister of State's briefing note. Is he saying that no one member in the scheme can pay more than 0.6% or the equivalent reduction in their entitlements? This is an important point because if that is to be the case, I want clarification on it.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: That person individually?

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Not all of them.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I was glad of the Minister of State's clarification on the maximum charge being 0.6% of the assets of a fund. I want to put to bed this idea that in all instances this 0.6% is a small charge and a small imposition. Is it correct that based on the 0.6% charge on an average pension fund of someone who has been contributing to a fund for 30 years plus, he or she could be looking at up to a 9%...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Some 1.5% over 10 years.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: A reduction in their pension benefit.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not saying that.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Same as ARFs, which are exempt.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: First, there has been much discussion about the 10% cut on last year's level in agreed hours for special needs assistants, SNAs, proposed by the Government. Where in the EU-IMF deal is it stipulated that the Government is tied into cutting SNA hours? The national recovery plan contains a commitment to retain SNA numbers at 2010 levels. Many parents of children with special needs find it...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: That remark should be withdrawn.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: That is good to hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I would like to thank the Leader for a couple of things. The debate yesterday on Seanad reform was very useful. The CPP in the House has met Members of all parties and we all share a desire to move swiftly with reforms in the House. I would like to ask the Leader about the progress made on the CPP with the formation of the Seanad petitions committee. This will be an important step for the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik's party is in government now. Senator Bacik cannot hide behind what the previous Government did all the time.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Harte should be careful.