Results 5,561-5,580 of 25,844 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (20 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his response to my initial queries. It sheds a little more light on the response we received on Second Stage. Reference to a seven-year renewable term would make a great deal more sense. The problem is the way in which the legislation is written. It refers to a number of years, months and-or days. That leaves it up to the commission. The legislation is not...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (20 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for his response. He mentioned Secretaries General. I have asked whether there is any other grade of principal officer or higher where we have set a fixed term. I am aware of fixed terms for Secretaries General. That is the specific one, because that is the equivalent role. That is the job. What other such positions in the service have a fixed term? I am...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (20 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State. We are not trying to be difficult at all. We are trying to tease this out. I know the Minister of State has been asked a number of questions, but I asked whether there is any equivalent-----

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (20 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: There is no way the amendment would set someone up as an officer for life. If that were the case, it would be necessary to introduce term limits for all principal officers and higher executive officers. I have outlined the issue, namely, the failure to specify a term. As Senator Cummins also noted, if the Minister had proposed a term of seven years to be followed by a review or renewal, I...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (20 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Tá brón orm. These are well thought-out amendments and we are trying to tease out the issue, as we are required to do. I am not trying to be difficult and I accept that the Minister of State is doing his best to answer the questions we have put to him. However, I am not happy with this provision because it could cause a problem further down the line. I am pursuing the matter for...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (20 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (20 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leader for that proposal, which I second. It is a sensible approach. We should take Committee Stage now. I will withdraw the amendment with a view to perhaps retabling it on Report Stage as it would give the Department an opportunity to consider it. The Leader's suggestion is a sensible one, which I support.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (20 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 70, motion No. 20, be taken before No. 1, without debate. It relates to Taiwan and would follow on from a resolution made on 22 May 2013. I wish everybody a good rest over the summer recess. We have done quite a deal of work in the Seanad over the last session and it has been important work. I have been disappointed with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senator is always for equality.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not think Senator Landy was listening to me.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Does the Senator have anything relevant to say?

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: There are only 56 to go after so it will not take the Senator long.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Did Senator Cullinane go to that?

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I will have to clarify my remarks.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I am sure it will. I am worried about it.

Seanad: Trade Agreements: Motion (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: That Seanad Éireann, having regard to its resolution of 22nd May, 2013: - whereas foreign direct investment is crucial to the Irish economy and job creation; - whereas Taiwan is one of the largest importers and exporters in the world, the world’s largest investor in mainland China, and the EU’s 21st largest trading partner; - welcomes the constructive...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I was not informed that they were out of order.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I did not get any letter. On a point of order, the amendments were resubmitted. We did not get any notification that they were out of order.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (21 Jul 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I did not get a letter. I am not being funny. I did not receive any letter to the effect that the amendments were out of order.