Results 6,041-6,060 of 10,581 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: There are worse places one could be. I am here to discuss the summer economic statement which was agreed by the Government and discussed in Dáil Éireann last week. It sets out the key elements of the Government’s budgetary strategy. Broadly, it revolves around five key areas, namely, ensuring steady and sustainable improvements in living standards; rebuilding fiscal...

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: Some of the contributions were very enlightening and some were very predictable. Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin talked about a wounded country. It seems that his party is more wounded than the country. Not all that long ago the leader of the Labour Party was Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he negotiated many of the reforms in the public service and played a...

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Senator is the very one who said he did not want to be interrupted.

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: If someone can give it, he or she should be able to take it. I listened to Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin without interruption. He should, please, try to show me some respect. I want to be respectful to other Members of the House, as I am sure the Senator tried to be. Senator Gerry Horkan never fails to let the side down. The only thing for which he did not take credit was...

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: I knew the Senator would.

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: In fairness, Fianna Fáil has acted responsibly, unlike several other Opposition parties.

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: However, it is not a situation where one can take the good stuff only. One has to take an holistic approach to what is happening and have an honest and open discussion. One cannot drive an economy and a country off a cliff and fix it in five years without scarring and there has been, as the Government acknowledges. Several Members addressed our level of indebtedness. It was almost like a...

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: I did not interrupt anybody. If there is a fixed amount of money and growing demand, one can either increase the level of indebtedness or decide not to fund things one is already funding. I listened to a range of things that we would love to do, but I did not hear one Senator say we should not do this and that we should cut that, because it would not be acceptable politically. Senator...

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: I did not interrupt the Senator.

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Senator cannot rattle the cage and get away with it that easily.

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: Senator Rose Conway-Walsh mentioned corporation tax, as did Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. There are many people in County Mayo working in foreign and direct investment companies. They get up in the morning, bring their children to a crèche and work hard on three and four cycle shifts. They would be gobsmacked to hear it was seriously being suggested that we do...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Commission (28 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: 126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the mileage rates for supervisors of State exams were reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28420/18]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: HSE Properties (28 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: 260. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children aged one or under buried at the HSE owned cemetery attached to a former home (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28577/18]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: HSE Properties (28 Jun 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: 261. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children aged one or under that died at a former home (details supplied) in periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28578/18]

Seanad: Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Senator Ruane for moving the amendments. We had a good discussion the last day and it is regrettable that Senator Higgins is not here. I have good news for Senator Ruane. In principle, in respect of amendments Nos. 20, 21 and 22, with some technical changes to the wording, we are agreeable in principle to what the Senator has outlined. I will take these away and consider them in...

Seanad: Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: At the end of the discussion this evening, I intend to bring forward a notice of the amendments I will be proposing on Report Stage. I hope to have many of those points covered at that stage.

Seanad: Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: The amendments relate to gender balance, membership of the board and tenure. Senator Higgins proposes a set of amendments to section 47 which concerns the membership of the data governance board. The section provides for the appointment of members and the chairperson by the Minister, and the terms and conditions of appointments of the board members. Amendment No. 22b proposes an equal...

Seanad: Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: On the final question and the procedures in place for the appointment of people to State boards, I have no difficulty bringing forth a Report Stage amendment to the effect that the Minister shall have regard to the existing guidelines and so on. It is important that the board is allowed to do its job into the future. If the board deems that there is a skills or expertise deficit within the...

Seanad: Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: These amendments relate to the composition of committees. I do not have any difficulty with the general thrust of what the Senator is saying. The reason we left section 48 as it was when drafting the Bill was that we did not want to be overly prescriptive. However, there is no difficulty whatsoever in reflecting on the concept of the annual reports, having regard to advice we will receive...

Seanad: Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2018)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have an issue with respect to amendment No. 24c. I do not want to have a situation where somebody who is on the board or a subcommittee for a specific purpose by virtue of his or her expertise, whether they are an ex officiomember of a lay member, is unnecessarily kicked off of it. If we are overly prescriptive on the duration of the committee that might occur. I know that is not what is...