Results 11,181-11,200 of 26,053 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Seanad: European Commission Decision on State Aid to Apple: Statements (4 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: These points stand on their own merits. The Senator spoke about sovereignty but as a sovereign nation we have to have control over our tax laws. Apple was in compliance with the tax laws that were in place at the time in question. The European Commission now states that the taxes in question may be due to other countries in Europe and the US. I question the timing of the European...

Seanad: European Commission Decision on State Aid to Apple: Statements (4 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am talking about a specific issue. This issue will come down to the question of selectivity and whether Apple was given selective treatment on a particular issue. The answer is "No". It was open to any company to avail of the same tax laws that were in operation at that particular moment in time. I worry about the fact that the common consolidated tax base, which has been mooted for...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is called love bombing.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have previously raised the matter of the M20 motorway from Cork to Limerick. It is an urgent matter and I have tabled a Commencement matter on it for tomorrow. The motorway is supposed to be part of the Atlantic Way access route, along the western seaboard. The Gort to Galway road is currently being built. It is imperative that the road upgrade gets underway. The majority of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: No.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am hedging my bets. I need the Minister to respond.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: What kind of grass?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I didn't inhale.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Manus Cooney (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome Mr. Cooney to Seanad Éireann and Ireland and hope he enjoys his stay. I will pick up on a theme raised by Senator Grace O'Sullivan. The Seanad is different from the Senate in the United States. What practical steps could Senators take to assist the undocumented Irish in the United States? Mr. Cooney knows the system inside out and Senator Billy Lawless, the Seanad's man in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: A Vision for Public Transport: Discussion (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Chairman for allowing me to make a contribution and I welcome the Minister. I wish to raise two issues briefly. Regarding the rail review, the programme for Government referred to ensuring services were sustainable into the future and meeting the needs of a modern economy. Specifically, that has to do with making Irish Rail attractive. I use Irish Rail, taking the rail link...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: A Vision for Public Transport: Discussion (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have already raised it with Irish Rail many times.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: A Vision for Public Transport: Discussion (5 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: The amount of money involved in reactivating the planning process is relatively small. A significant portion of the planning work was completed up to November 2011 when the project was stalled. In terms of time and efficiency, it would probably take a number of months to procure consultants. They could be procured, taking account of what has already been done, so that in the mid-term...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects (6 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome the Minister to the House. Once again, I am raising the matter of the upgrading and building of the M20 motorway between Limerick and Cork. I am a public representative, representing Limerick city and a portion of the county. It is the single biggest item of infrastructure that needs to be completed in the State. I have raised this issue with the Minister on numerous occasions,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects (6 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will go straight to the heart of the matter. In November 2011 the project was suspended. From discussions with officials, I understand that at that stage the bulk of the planning process, if not the entire process, had been completed and that the project was just about to be referred to An Bord Pleanála. Will the Minister allow the planning process to re-engage, which would amount...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects (6 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Minister. That is a positive move. He will find that the planning process was at an extremely advanced stage and that this would represent value for the taxpayer.

Seanad: Action Plan for Education: Statements (6 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to the Chamber. He pioneered the action plan with the Action Plan for Jobs. As a way of a Department doing business, it was revolutionary at the time. He is bringing that same methodology to the Department of Education and Skills. It is slightly different in that the Action Plan for Jobs in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation was very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: In terms of regulation, is there any difference between Solvency I and Solvency II in terms of the regulation of insurance companies from Ireland?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: In his statement, Dr. Roux said, "the Solvency II directive squarely places the sole responsibility of financial supervision of foreign firms on foreign regulators". Has there been any change since Solvency I?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is fine. Under Solvency I, insurers were required to invest in relatively risk-free investments. Am I correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Kieran O'Donnell: What does Solvency II allow?