Results 4,341-4,360 of 25,799 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Wrong. We did not abolish-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: What was Fine Gael going to do? It was to reinstate everything.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: It was going to reinstate everything but it did nothing.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: What about Fine Gael's promises?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: What has Fine Gael done since taking office? It has gone even further.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Fine Gael has gone even further and Senators do not like it.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not shouting down the Leader.

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I think this is a very sensible amendment. Senator Cullinane has outlined the Government's record in filling vacancies. This week is a case in point, with the Cabinet reshuffle that everyone is awaiting. The Government is introducing emergency legislation tomorrow relating to the Clerk of the Dáil because of an impasse between the Taoiseach and the Ceann Comhairle in that regard....

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 13: In page 85, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:“(a) having regard to the importance of and impact to the economic viability and sustainability of primary producers the decisions made at processing and/or retail level,”.I know the Minister has gone some way in the Dáil towards accepting a similar amendment. I do not believe there is...

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I will consider tabling this amendment again on Report Stage. The Bill does not deal in any way, shape or form with below cost selling. If the Minister would strengthen the Bill under section 83 by creating an ombudsman for this area to oversee these regulations and give this authority some teeth, I would be more inclined to accept fully what he says. He has, however, gone part of the way...

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister mentioned in a previous response that one of the goals of this legislation is to introduce fairness, openness and transparency into this sector. I fail to see how the Minister can say that on the one hand but on the other say that consumers should have no idea of the mark-up here by international multiples such as Tesco in comparison with the British market. That has been a...

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Did the Minister's Department, in preparation for this legislation and in consultation with the industry, receive direct representations from foreign multiples to ensure there would be no disclosure on this matter?

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 16: In page 86, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following:“(2) The Commission may order such redress, including financial redress, for the aggrieved person subject to the breach of regulations as considered appropriate by the Commission having considered all circumstances.”.If it is acceptable, I would like to hear the Minister's response to the...

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his response and will withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Briefly, I understand the Minister indicated in the Dáil that he would deal with payment periods and so on by way of regulation. Consequently, before Members proceed, I will be interested to hear the Minister's response in this regard, as well as the timeframe in which the Minister intends to publish the aforementioned regulations, obviously subject to the passage of this legislation.

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 21: In page 88, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following:“(r) specify Retention of Title for goods until such time as full payment is received,”.I will be brief. This amendment is clear and proposes to insert between lines 30 and 31 the phrase, "specify Retention of Title for goods until such time as full payment is received", which I consider to be...

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I will consider the Minister's response before Report Stage on Tuesday, and therefore I withdraw amendment No. 21 and reserve the right to resubmit it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: It is not often I find myself in complete disagreement with Senator Barrett. I am pretty stunned by what he has said. If some producers do not like it, that is tough. I firmly stand by the belief that we have an indigenous industry that successive governments have continued to promote, including promoting Ireland as a food island. The Food Harvest 2020 document produced by the former...

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am sure I will wake up some day and the reshuffle will be done, hopefully sooner rather than later. The Minister has performed very well in his portfolio - I say that on behalf of the Fianna Fáil grouping in the Seanad. Regardless of who is coming back here on Tuesday, be that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, or the Tánaiste, if Labour gets its way, I will resubmit that amendment on...

Seanad: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I will try and see how I get on.