Results 4,761-4,780 of 25,799 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Quinn covered it. I could bet on my phone sitting here right now. That is the reality. I have dealt with many independent bookmakers and Senator Cummins has been raising issues as I have in relation to the betting tax Bill to provide for a level playing pitch particularly for independent bookmakers against the multiples and offshore online betting. In fairness, the Government is...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not as concerned as others, and I figure the Revenue Commissioners will be pragmatic about this matter. Where there is abuse we need to crack down on it. On Second Stage I remarked that the Government should really examine the exemption limits. I take issue with the point that anything up to €225,000 is free. We are talking about family homes. This is an inheritance tax.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I will get back to the point made by the Minister of State. I welcome the commitment given that the Government will examine the limits, because they need to be increased somewhat. The sum of €225,000 represents a rather standard home now. The Minister of State has covered the other points about living expenses and so on well. I do not share the concerns of others in this regard.

Seanad: Restructuring of Pensions at Aer Lingus: Statements (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I appreciate the Minister coming to the House at short notice. I put forward an amendment to the Order of Business this morning which was accepted and I welcome his attendance. It is just one day since we received good news in the context of Waterford Crystal because of a European Court judgment. Waterford Crystal is doubly insolvent. It is an insolvent company with an insolvent pension...

Seanad: Restructuring of Pensions at Aer Lingus: Statements (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government allowed AIB to put €1.2 billion into its pension fund.

Seanad: Restructuring of Pensions at Aer Lingus: Statements (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: They have got worse in the past two years. The deficit doubled in that period.

Seanad: Restructuring of Pensions at Aer Lingus: Statements (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2009.

Seanad: Restructuring of Pensions at Aer Lingus: Statements (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am well aware of it.

Seanad: Restructuring of Pensions at Aer Lingus: Statements (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Why do we not meet them together? Then we will see what they are saying.

Seanad: Restructuring of Pensions at Aer Lingus: Statements (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Part of it.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for being in the House this evening. The Minister will be aware of the issue in Meath. I have asked the Minister for Education and Skills to make a statement on the financial issues facing the Educate Together organisation. The matter I have raised relates specifically to Educate Together and the organisation has been in direct contact with me, but this is affecting...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I will give way to the Minister but I have already started. Is that in order?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not mind, but I have started. I really do not mind. Go ahead, it is fine.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Varadkar does not want this Chamber to be here in the first place.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I need not give way on foot of those comments. We are trying to facilitate the Minister. An important debate took place in the House facilitated by the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. She came to the House to answer questions about what happened in Swinford. That was the reason for the delay.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: It is very unfair of the Minister to say the way the business is ordered in this House is a disgrace. The Minister may wish to consider how it works in the other House, the use of guillotines and how the Government orders its business.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: There are serious funding issues facing the Educate Together organisation and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, for attending to discuss them. My colleague, Senator Averil Power, and I have met members of Educate Together in my area, in which there are Educate Together schools in Balbriggan, Skerries, Swords, Malahide, Holywell, Thornleigh, Rush and Lusk. It is good that...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Some are at second level.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Funding (10 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State, but there is nothing new in the answer. Where one is looking at all the initial set-up costs to establish or take over a school like this, the Minister of State will appreciate that €10,000 will not do it. There is also the ongoing cost. I will be going back with my colleague, Senator Averil Power, to meet with Educate Together. We will assess the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I move recommendation No. 1: In page 10, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:“(b) in section 531AM(1)(b) to insert the following after paragraph (viii)—“(ix) where an individual is charged to income tax under section 112 in respect of a contribution to a PRSA (within the meaning of Chapter 2A of Part 30) by virtue of section 118(5), the amount of the...