Results 4,821-4,840 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I raise an issue that goes to the heart and fundamental cornerstone of the Oireachtas and of democracy. Last week the House acquiesced in and agreed to the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the Guerin report. We did this in good faith, but subsequently some startling revelations have come to light, mainly from the other House, that are troubling. If there is truth in these...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I have been a member of the Oireachtas for almost 20 years. The key issue is that if we were misled by agreeing to terms of reference that are tainted, then the matter will not end here. I warn this Chamber that we are going down a road that will end up in the courts, and I certainly want a debate. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, should be invited to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: The terms of reference cannot be dictated by a former Minister for Justice and Equality. That is an appalling breach of etiquette in this House and an appalling breach of democracy, and it goes to the cornerstone of what we stand for.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I am proposing an amendment that the Minister come to the House as a matter of urgency today to set out where we stand in regard to this issue. Otherwise, this will be challenged, and I will not stand over a situation in which we calmly and in good faith acquiesce to the terms of reference and are not told the full truth in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I propose that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Francis Fitzgerald, come before the House today to explain the circumstances that have emerged since we agreed to the terms of reference last week, which I think are appalling, and whether there is any truth to them.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: Yes.

Seanad: Mediation Services: Motion (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome this motion and thank the proponents of it for putting it before the House. The Fianna Fáil Party supports the notion of mediation services, as set out in the motion. The only problem we would have is that we would criticise the Government's delay in the publication of the mediation Bill, the general scheme of which was agreed in 2012. The proper codification of mediation...

Seanad: Mediation Services: Motion (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: Often having gone through this Chamber, a Bill goes into the other House much improved, having been widely debated. I believe there is a lot more wisdom in this Chamber and more time for debate than sometimes there is in the other House. Forgive me for saying that but it is a matter of record. Moreover, many of my colleagues, who are much wiser than me, already have said this.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Drainage Schemes Status (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. On 19 November 2009, an appalling event occurred in Bandon town when the River Bandon burst its banks. The resulting flooding was of a type that is seen approximately once in 100 years, causing extensive damage to homes and premises. Many property owners in the town are still unable to obtain insurance against...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Drainage Schemes Status (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Minister for coming before the House and giving his response. There is a lot of anxiety among the flood group, townspeople, ratepayers, shopkeepers and residents that the scheme which will be delivered is not what was originally proposed and planned. I am putting the Minister on notice in a gentle, rather than adversarial way. If the scheme which will be delivered and is...

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: The issue to which the Senator is referring is more appropriately dealt with under amendment No. 29.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: This issue is dealt with under amendment No. 29. The Minister of State is entitled to some order. Many amendments have been tabled. The Senator can come back in on amendment No. 29.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: Is the amendment being pressed, Senator Zappone?

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: The matter is entirely at your discretion, Senator Zappone. Are you still minded to press amendment No. 4?

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: Amendments Nos. 9, 15 to 18, inclusive, 24 and 25 are related. Amendments Nos. 15 and 16 are physical alternatives, as are amendments Nos. 17 and 18. Amendments Nos. 9, 15 to 18, inclusive, 24 and 25 may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: Amendments Nos. 10, 11, 14 and 32 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: If amendment No. 12 is agreed, amendment No. 13 cannot be moved.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: If the question on amendment No. 15 is agreed, amendment No. 16 cannot be moved.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: If the question on amendment No. 17 is agreed, amendment No. 18 cannot be moved.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: If the question on amendment No. 19 is agreed, amendments Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, cannot be moved.