Results 3,901-3,920 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: There was one specific issue on the existing emergency funds. The OPW receives annual funding for coastal protection. Is it still in place? Has it been subsumed into the emergency fund of €45 million?

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Is €45 million the total of everything?

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: On 23 January we debated storm damage and flooding, which preceded the events of this weekend. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Costello, took that debate. I have great regard for the Minister of State on a personal level but he had no answers for us whatsoever. He said so on the day. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: We will not hold our breath for that.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: It is a very serious issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: It is in this regard first.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Frankly, there was no point to that debate on 23 January because no answers were given and there has been no follow-up. I got more answers in the ante-room from the officials than I got from the Minister of State. I do not blame him for that but, as it is not his portfolio, why was he here? He came in here to read a statement. That is the first point. The Taoiseach is intimating that we...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am just finished. On 23 January, when I asked specific questions, the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, gave a commitment that he, through the officials in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, would come back and answer those specific questions. That has not happened. Because of that, I am proposing an amendment to the Order of Business today that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senator is way over time.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: In light of the Leader's response that he will seek a further debate I withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: What is the current position with regard to the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013, which was passed by both Houses in the week leading up to the Christmas recess? When does the Minister plan to implement the legislation and establish the resolution board on a statutory footing? Our job in respect of this matter is done. However, it is 5 February and people are wondering whether a decision has...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: As stated previously, Senator Paul Coghlan is probably the only Member of this House who could serve on the inquiry because he is the only one of us who has not been critical of the banks during the past four or five years.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: We all want a proper inquiry. The hour that is being allocated for the debate on the motion is not sufficient. We have a number of questions that we want to put to the Minister of State and Government Chief Whip, Deputy Kehoe, and I ask, therefore, that the time for the debate be extended. Has the Leader received an update from the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, with regard to a...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not think the current Ceann Comhairle needs any more power.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I asked the Leader if he had any contact in respect of Seanad representation on the future banking inquiry.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Senators are not precluded. Is that the case?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: No.

Seanad: Standing Orders: Motion (5 Feb 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister of State is always welcome to the House. It is good to see him. The changes to Standing Orders that have been presented are probably appropriate. One of the issues I have is that we are doing this half-blind. While we have heard certain comments, we do not have the full details of the composition or terms of reference of the proposed banking inquiry, which needs to happen....