Results 4,221-4,240 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I stand corrected. We are returning to this House on 22nd March for fewer than six hours. That is nothing but a charade. This is to allow the Government to say that it will not adjourn until 6 April and that there is no business being done. If we are serious about doing business, let us come back to this House for more than six hours.

Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: Why are the Ministers not being brought in here? Deputy Martin said that Ministers no longer enjoy the support of the people. They are taking the people's money. They are being paid.

Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: They are getting ministerial salaries even though they have lost their seats. They should be sitting on the opposite side of the House and they should be held accountable by those of us who are elected.

Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: They are getting paid. Ministers and Ministers of State are going to come into this House and make statements, why can they not come in and answer questions?

Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: If we are serious about reform, let us meet more than once between now and 6 April. There are many issues which need to be discussed in this Chamber. We have put down four motions and I want to formally move an amendment to motion 5c. The first part of the amendment is that the non-aligned Independents, who are not included under motion 5c, would be included under it. Second, I propose...

Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I do not care how many sitting days it will take as I am willing to come in here every day and debate these issues because that is what I have been elected to do. I will come in on 22, 23 and 24 March but perhaps the Chief Whip might not want that. I propose that the House would sit on 22, 23 and 24 of March; that we would come in on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and debate all of the...

Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: Okay.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I wish to clarify what is being proposed. We are proposing the motion on the Order Paper, which was submitted by Sinn Féin in respect of water charges, would be taken on the Tuesday.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is not my problem that the Deputy did not see it.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: The second one is on the three-day sitting, which would enable the statements on housing and health and the other statements Deputies have sought to be extended in order that each Deputy would have an opportunity to contribute to those debates. However, the particular item in respect of water charges is the motion Sinn Féin has submitted.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: Yes, not statements.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: Yes, which Sinn Féin has already submitted.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: Let us adjourn so.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: It has not been agreed.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: If I could just explain to Deputy Martin what we are actually proposing-----

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: I do not think Deputy Martin does.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is the motion.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: The motion we will move-----

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is better than Deputy Howlin's idea of reform anyway.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (10 Mar 2016)

Jonathan O'Brien: We do not want to-----