Results 1,221-1,240 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Last week we asked and the Leader undertook to try to arrange a debate on the EU summit and European affairs in general. However, I notice it is not on the schedule for this week. Will the Leader update us on the matter? We all believe it is crucial we have a proper debate in the House. As I said last week, we will not insist on a Minister attending but a debate needs to take place. We...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I hope the Senator will also compliment Pat Kenny on his solid performance.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: No.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Minister. There is no doubt in this instance and in the current budgetary environment that she has a very difficult job. I appreciate that. It is never easy trying to strike a balance between saving money in the social welfare field and being fair. Members of this House and of the other House raised the proposed cuts to disability allowance payments, and I commend the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Exactly. I will provide an example. There are various opinions about JobBridge and it contains a number of anomalies. I know of an individual who is engaged in voluntary scientific work in one of the State's fully sanctioned laboratories. The person has been told to give up that work because the job is not a voluntary one. The person must sign on again and apply to JobBridge. I will...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Today's business is extremely light. Having a sos between completion of the Order of Business, probably at noon, and Private Members' business at 3 p.m is a poor use of our time and reflects badly on us. I do not suggest the Leader is doing this but I hope it is not being done for the sake of optics in light of the upcoming debate on the existence of this House. A three hour sos is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: He did; I have no doubt about that.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Does the Senator have another job?

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Catherine Noone should show us she is serious.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Today.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Senator Barrett for the work he has put into the Bill. When the Government is looking at the merits of work done in the Houses of the Oireachtas it will be clear that one Independent Senator has been able to produce a clear, concise and effective Bill where swarms of advisers in the Department of Finance have been unable to do so.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Barrett deserves immense credit for that. The Bill provides more clarity that we received from last weekend's summit in Brussels. Senator Gilroy made a fair point about the importance of finding out what really happened last weekend and what it means for the country. Whatever changes are proposed, they will be substantial enough to require a referendum. Whether a referendum is...

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am sure the Minister of State will tell us. I am dying with anticipation because I really need to know the answer to that question.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: If I were a betting man, I would say it will not be far from Senator Barrett's Bill, which is very well put together. He is a man of immense experience and knowledge in this area. I ask the Government not to reject the Bill merely on the basis that it comes from the Opposition benches but to allow it to go through Second Stage and propose amendments which can be discussed in the House. The...

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Very true.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I said Senator Barrett saved us a lot of money.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: If we had not got back the treaty ports, we would have been involved in the Second World War.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Does the Minister of State want to give the House a history lesson?

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Bill relates to it.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Will it have resources?