Results 5,101-5,120 of 25,799 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Can time be set aside in the coming weeks for a debate on the Government’s plans for the national drugs and alcohol policy? Last week my colleague in the other House, Deputy Niall Collins, and I published our proposals in this area. There is quite a bit on which all parties can agree. The absence of a Minister of State with responsibility for drugs policy is a deficiency and has...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I draw Members' attention to No. 3, a Bill I have produced with my colleagues with a view to assisting Irish businesses, the SME sector in particular, in accessing State contracts. I will be circulating a note on the Bill and ask Members to examine it. We have all received representations on how the State might do more to support businesses in accessing State contracts. What I propose in...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Look at the three amendments I tabled.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I want to hear what the Minister has to say. I do not care what Mr. Duffy says.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government should do something about it and not just sit on its hands.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Second Stage (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Bill and support its aims. I apologise for not being in the Chamber for the Minister of State's opening statement as I was attending another meeting. I do not know whether he addressed the costs of establishing the new body. If that information is not forthcoming today, it would be useful to get it at a later stage. I agree with the proposal to merge the existing authorities...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Second Stage (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I can say that because I was. I hope no one is watching or he or she will take the Senator for real.

Seanad: Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2015: Second Stage (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Senators on both sides of the House are aware of the importance of small and medium businesses. The sector employs almost 900,000 people and was responsible for more than 60% of the growth achieved in the past two years. I have been critical of the record of successive Governments on procurement...

Seanad: Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2015: Second Stage (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response to the Bill and all Senators for their contributions. I especially thank Senators Keane and Hayden on the Government side. I accept that the Bill needs to be improved and hope we can use the momentum gained today to produce a law that will assist in increasing the number of jobs in and profitability of our small and medium...

Seanad: Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2015: Second Stage (22 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sports Facilities Provision (23 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I wish to raise the need for the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the provision of sporting, recreational and physical education facilities at Balbriggan community college, Balbriggan, County Dublin. Earlier this week, I visited Balbriggan community college with a number of parents, students and staff. It is a well-regarded secondary school with over 500 students...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sports Facilities Provision (23 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed response which I am hopeful will allay many of our fears. At least we have something in writing that indicates what is happening and I am pleased that a meeting is due to take place on Friday. The Minister of State is in a neighbouring constituency and I ask him to keep an eye on the issue. I certainly will because I do not want it to drag on...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: After watching the PR sideshow in the other House, I have concluded that the Government's new initiative of spring statements, which has no substance and is of no consequence, might afford us an opportunity-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Those who are struggling in mortgage arrears or paying rip-off rates on variable-rate mortgages, and those whose respite care grant has been cut are being given nothing new. It was a set piece to allow the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to congratulate each other and say that everything is great. Maybe...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Bill and Ben. It was great television.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Follow their plan.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I am just like that.