Results 1,001-1,020 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: While I welcome in general terms the publication yesterday of the heads of a Bill to deal with the personal and mortgage debt crisis that is gripping the country, unfortunately the proposed legislation does not go far enough. This is particularly the case when one considers the point raised by Senator MacSharry concerning individuals who are in difficulty due to mortgages and other forms of...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister for being present and the Leader for facilitating the debate. The Minister has clearly outlined the importance of the agrifood and agricultural sector within the economy at present. As he said, there has been a 34% increase in exports over the past two years, which was in-----

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes. In total, the sector is worth €8 billion to the Irish economy and we are exporting approximately 85% of the food we produce in Ireland. The reality is that the economy is in a very difficult position but, through agriculture, we can work to stimulate it. Reports show that every €100 of agricultural output creates at least an additional €73 for the local economy. When we take on...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I appreciate the opportunity, and I will be brief. I ask the Minister to indicate whether he is re-opening the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS. He indicated last week at the IFA AGM that he would consider opening it on a limited basis. That would be welcome in Donegal and on the west coast, provided that commonage land and natural heritage areas are eligible, along with special areas...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Will the Minister give an overview of the review of the Common Fisheries Policy and the discussions taking place at EU level in that regard? The inshore fleet, in particular vessels under 15 m, are finding it difficult in many inshore bays due to outdated by-laws. For example, trawlers coming into Inver Bay in County Donegal are tearing up the habitat of local species and are causing damage...

Seanad: Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (31 Jan 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Baineann an rún seo le Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, MFG, Teo. Seo comhlacht pairtnéireachta a bhí ag cur seirbhísí tábhachtacha ar fáil do phobal na Gaeltachta, go háirithe na cláracha éagsúla a bhí ar siúl acu cosúil le clár Leader, Regional Development Programme, agus an clár áitiúil, Local Development Social Inclusion Programme, LDSIP. Chuir an comhlacht cúrsaí...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is Senator Maurice Cummins.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The issue of the fiscal pact is being debated by groups of people throughout the country. The one question being asked is whether we will have the opportunity to hear a constructive debate as part of a referendum process. I agree with Senator Harte that the court case relating to the by-election in Donegal was handled in a very poor manner by the then Government. I certainly paid a...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: However, the advice given to the Government at the time by the then Attorney General was that the court case would not be successful. We are now depending on advice from the current Attorney General. I am not stating that her advice will not be valid or proper. Regardless of whether the Attorney General recommends the holding of a referendum, the Government will take a political decision...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is ridiculous.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire ar ais go dtí an Teach. I welcome the Minister back to the House. The specific amendments being proposed by the Minister relate to details of any prosecutions for an offence by the water services authority concerned. The deletion of those lines does not mean that the offences and penalties contained in section 70M of the principal Act are deleted from the...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is a fudge for the Minister to say that he will delete those two lines and we will have no criminal sanctions.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is a fudge.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is a fudge to suggest that what we were seeking is being agreed to by the deletion of those lines.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Prosecutions will still issue irrespective. That will apply if a householder does not meet the required standard and we still do not know what that standard will be. There has been no clarification of the golden standard that the Minister will introduce. No one knows what it will be but we all presume it will be today's standard. According to legislation, it is the standard of today's...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: There was certainly misinformation about the Cavan model. That was corrected by the director of services on an RTE programme.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I hope the Minister saw it when he misled the House.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The House was misled but it was clarified by the director of services of Cavan County Council, live on "Today with Pat Kenny".

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Now the Government is charging them.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Does the Senator support the pollution Act?