Results 501-520 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: As it will be within the Minister's power to vary the minimum wage rate, the safeguards built into the Bill will not be as important as the decisions made by Governments. Ireland has the second highest minimum wage in Europe, after France. It was put in place to safeguard the lowest paid workers in our society and reduce poverty levels. The minimum wage is important and I am glad it was...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It is not 18.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I will check and get back to the Senator.

Seanad: Fish Quotas: Motion (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much welcome the Minister of State. I hear his passion for the subject and I commend him on that. Many of the issues I wish to raise have been raised. The Minister of State has been congratulated on his work. Conservation is a key issue for the Green Party and the Minister of State mentioned that in his speech. We need to ensure sustainability of stocks. I put on the record before...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Do not mind the facts.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I join other speakers in wishing the Cathaoirleach, staff and Senators a very happy Christmas. It is important to acknowledge the work that has been done. I have been in this House for one year and three days and people have been decent in the main. I respect Members on all sides of this House. Senator Fitzgerald raised an important issue in regard to fuel poverty. We need to have that...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: To correct Senator Coffey, the warmer homes scheme is free of charge.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Those on fuel allowance get the warmer homes scheme in their houses for no money. Anybody can afford no money. It is zero. I ask the Senator to get his facts right because he seems to be all over the place today.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: As for his colleague who is putting corners on roundabouts-----

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I encourage the Leader to arrange a debate on the important issue of fuel poverty. I would prefer that we did not end on this aggressive note but as we leave for Christmas it is important we acknowledge people who are facing financial difficulties and hardship. Nobody in this House wants to see people suffering hardship over Christmas.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Good.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2011)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I join Senator Hanafin in calling for a debate on political reform in general and on reform of the Seanad in particular. Such debates must take place in the context of overall political reform. Politics must be examined from local level up to Presidential level. Examining the position of the Seanad in isolation is the wrong way to proceed. As Members of this House, this is a matter upon...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It is great to be in a place where timing is such a skill.

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: No apologies are needed.

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I assure the Senator we are pretty good at it.

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I will not argue that point. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am in favour of this Bill. As Senator Ryan has argued, however, the key point will be its implementation. I ask the Minister of State to say when the Bill will be implemented. I am a Galway representative and it is a city with a population of 75,000 and a student population of 20,000. The student population of...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We kept them low.

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Jan 2011)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am not crying. Senator Buttimer can cry if he wants.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2011)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I concur with Senator Cannon on one point, namely, that Zhivago music and the Cellar Bar in Galway city are iconic businesses. Galway is not an exception as small business across Ireland are under major pressure. It is very sad to see iconic businesses close down, especially those which have been in operation for many years. I call for a debate on administrative reform which, unlike...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2011)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: We must upgrade our administrative systems. In doing so we would provide jobs and make life easier for small and large businesses and the system of government. I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator O'Toole on the need to be clear about what will be our programme until the end of this Seanad. We need to be as efficient as possible and achieve the maximum amount by the time the...