Results 1,961-1,980 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is much appreciated. I thank the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leader for acceding to our request. On that basis, I withdraw our proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I look forward to the discussion with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Seanad: School Building Projects (14 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this Adjournment matter. In its five year plan for school building projects the Government, rightly, identified the need for a post-primary school in Lusk, County Dublin. Lusk is a fast growing area in my constituency of Dublin North. It has grown from a rural village to a sizeable town. There are a number of primary schools in...

Seanad: School Building Projects (14 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister of State said a decision would be made in the coming weeks. Will it be made before the Houses goes into recess? Will the new schools establishment group, as part of the assessment, take into account the many letters of support from community groups and other schools in the area which have expressed their preference that patronage be granted to the VEC? Will the decision be...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I ask the Government to confirm its position with regard to the proposed takeover of Aer Lingus. I record that for the past number of years my party has been opposed to the sale to Ryanair of the remaining stakeholding in Aer Lingus on the grounds that it would not be good for the consumer, and it is certainly not good for competition. We believe the stake the Government holds is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Stakeholders from political parties and the general public will be there. This House has shown in this term the changes that can be made to the Seanad under existing Standing Orders and has demonstrated the relevant role the Seanad has in the legislative process. It is timely to have this debate now before the constitutional convention starts. If the convention starts without Seanad reform...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Cycle in from Malahide. Is the Senator joking?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Times have changed.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It is.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: First, I commend the House on taking a significant decision.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Tuigim. However, I ask the Leader to arrange that a Minister be present to take this important debate. As the House has decided, correctly in my view, that this significant motion be taken, I request that a Minister be present. If it is necessary to suspend the sitting for 20 to 30 minutes to facilitate a Minister to come in to take this debate, that should happen. The Seanad took an...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I seek clarification on a point from the Cathaoirleach. The Leader obviously must accept the motion as tabled, on the basis of the vote of the House. However, if the Opposition's position is that it does not accept the amended Order of Business, on the basis that the Leader will not facilitate the attendance of a Minister to take this important debate, how would the motion stand in that...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Is it correct that the motion must be taken one way or the other?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: While I am not trying to complicate matters, I seek a point of clarification. Should Members oppose the Order of Business today, the motion must still be taken first before any other business because this is what the House has agreed. I note the presence of a Minister outside the Chamber, who was due to take the business and I ask the Leader that this Minister or another should attend. I...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Members on this side will oppose it.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: No.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We will oppose it.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leader for his suggestion. May I propose that the House sitting be suspended for 15 minutes to allow the Whips to discuss what he has outlined? It would be our preference to have a Minister in the House for this very important debate, given that Seanad reform is included in the constitutional convention. With respect for the House, I do not wish to disrupt the business of the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Will the Leader propose this?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Jun 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Is the Leader proposing that we proceed with Nos. 1 and 2 and that the debate on Seanad reform will take place after that, following the meeting of the Whips?