Results 5,621-5,640 of 25,844 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe, come to the House to explain what, if any, steps he is taking to reduce the savage cuts foisted on the retired and deferred pension members of the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme, IASS. Furthermore, I would ask him to take on board the views of the Seanad with regard to...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: We are not afraid.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: That is 2016-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Is the Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014 being brought back with Government amendments?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Even at this late stage.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: To remind Members, we had a fruitful debate on this legislation and the Leader acceded to a request to separate the different Stages of the Bill to allow the Government time to consider some of the points put to the Minister about setting a term limit to be applied to certain senior posts in the Oireachtas. I will be interested to see what will happen when the Bill is taken at 1 p.m. May I...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leader. Irish Water's seven-year plan will require to be debated once people have had an opportunity to read it. Some of the figures on which it is based lead one to believe it is merely an aspirational document rather than something that can actually be achieved. For example, it suggests there will be an 80% compliance rate and that €2 billion will be raised through...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: We need to know what is being done in this instance. The Government needs to address these points and show that something is being done. For all the positive spin on some good work that has been done - let us give credit where it is due - this Government will be known as the Government of repossessions. This Government has allowed the banks to repossess people's homes. It facilitated this...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: The current Administration introduced the relevant law.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik does not need to remind me about anything.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thought things were going well in Colombia.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for coming. The Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Simon Harris, was here for previous Stages when we had quite a detailed debate on the Bill, particularly about the duration of the term that was supposed to be set for the posts of Clerk of the Seanad and Clerk of the Dáil. I will not go over all of the details, as I am...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Or weeks.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his response. I outlined some concerns in my Second Stage speech which I hope will not come to pass. The system should be reviewed as to how it works in reality when the Bill becomes law and appointments are made. Perhaps people in the Department would look back at certain things we have said here that I hope do not transpire. We support the Bill. I thank the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group in the Seanad, I extend my deepest sympathies on the terrible and tragic events over the weekend with the loss of ten people in the fire in Carrickmines which, as the Leader has said, has also left two children fighting for their lives. We wish those children a speedy recovery. It was a desperate and terrible tragedy and was the largest number of...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Absolutely. I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Budget 2016: Statements (13 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for outlining the summary of the main budget measures. I will refer in a moment to the measures in the budget that I find positive. I agree with the Minister of State's comment that this last, or fifth, budget from the Government must be taken in the context of previous very regressive and most unfair budgets whereby those who could...

Seanad: Budget 2016: Statements (13 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: He should go to the park.

Seanad: Budget 2016: Statements (13 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: What about metro north?

Seanad: Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I will give way to the Minister of State should he wish to speak first.