Results 61-80 of 26,565 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I am pleased to be given the opportunity to speak on this motion on the economy and the national development plan. It is important to put in context where Ireland is now, when compared with ten years ago. Some commentators in the Opposition would have us believe the economy has nearly collapsed overnight, and that the budget surpluses which the Government has delivered over the past few...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I know and the Opposition Deputies know that nothing could be further from the truth. Their contributions to this debate have been ill-judged, badly thought out and often bordering on disingenuous.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I did not interrupt anyone and I will not be interrupted by the shadow Minister for Health and Children.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: The facts are clear. There are over 2 million people at work now, which is double the amount at work 20 years ago. Many factors have contributed to this, not least an educated and hard working labour force, prudent taxation policies, including a competitive corporation tax rate, and the very good work of State agencies such as the IDA in securing foreign investment and jobs here.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Only this week we have heard announcements from Volkswagen and Covidian that they are to create hundreds of new jobs in Cherrywood in Dublin. Blue chip companies such as these are still investing and locating in Ireland, as it is a good place to do business and because our economy is robust. The Opposition will not talk about such announcements, as the truth does not suit their arguments.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Let us not forget that it was Fine Gael that openly and irresponsibly labelled this country "rip-off Ireland" and did its best to undermine Irish businesses in order to seek cheap publicity. Unlike Fine Gael, we have reduced our national debt from 64% of GDP to 25% in 2007.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: If we take into account the National Pension Reserve Fund, we reduced that debt ratio to 12%. We established that fund and this shows forward planning for the economy as it will go a long way towards meeting our pension liabilities in 2030. In 2002 and 2003, Fine Gael called for a suspension of payments into the NTPF, which is another ill-thought out measure that has been proved to be...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: It was an extremely successful——

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I did not interrupt any Opposition Deputy. If they do not want to hear the truth, that is fair enough.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I was watching it on the monitor. It did not make good listening.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: The SSIA scheme has delivered a savings culture in this country. Deputy Bruton said at the time that this scheme, upon maturity, would lead to rampant inflation, but this is simply not true. Over 60% of SSIA holders have kept their SSIAs and maintained their savings record. Yet in 2002 and 2003, Deputy Bruton wanted to cap them and scrap them. That is another ill thought out policy that...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Fianna Fáil has ensured the weakest in society have been put first. There have been massive increases in spending in health and social welfare, and rightly so.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Fianna Fáil makes no apologies for taking prudent steps towards ensuring the economy is in a good state to take the benefit of a global upturn in the next 18 months.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Question 937: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made in respect of the roll-out of the technology for the elderly scheme which was announced earlier in 2008 and in particular the plans for the roll-out in areas (details supplied) in Dublin north. [28305/08]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Oct 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Question 292: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the broadband projects completed in Dublin north over the past two years; the areas in which they have been completed; the upgrades and installation of new broadband infrastructure planned for the next two years in the Dublin north area; and the new areas of Dublin north that do not have broadband access that...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Oct 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Question 86: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made regarding the rebuilding of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and the status of the project. [35123/08]

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (16 Oct 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Question 83: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of overseas development and humanitarian aid given to the Palestinian Territories in the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and up to September 2008. [35260/08]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (21 Oct 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Question 259: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of the proposed primary healthcare facility due to be developed in Balbriggan, County Dublin; the capacity, the proposed staffing levels and the location of same in Balbriggan; the date it is due to open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35482/08]

Written Answers — US Higher Education Grants: US Higher Education Grants (21 Oct 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Question 370: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the grants available to Irish students studying in third level colleges in the USA; and the way a person can apply for them. [35410/08]

Written Answers — Sail Training Vessel: Sail Training Vessel (22 Oct 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: Question 18: To ask the Minister for Defence when he expects to receive the marine accident investigation report into the sinking of the Asgard II; when he expects to be able to make a decision on replacing or restoring the Asgard II; the arrangements that will be in place pending the restoration or replacement of the vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34750/08]