Results 1-20 of 4,833 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Oct 2007)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome this very important legislation. Malahide in my constituency has the highest proportion of individuals in the State working in the financial services sector. My background, before I had the honour of being elected to this House, involved 13 or 14 years in financial services so I am very familiar with the importance of regulation in the market. I do not believe any party in this...

Establishment of Committees (11 Oct 2007)

Darragh O'Brien: I very much welcome the proposals brought forward by the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Government Chief Whip, Deputy Tom Kitt, in regard to the operation of the committee system in the 30th Dáil. As a new Deputy who has not previously been involved in Oireachtas committees, I am very much looking forward to working on whatever committees I am selected to serve on....

Establishment of Committees (11 Oct 2007)

Darragh O'Brien: The Chair would be surprised by how many people watch "Oireachtas Report". I have seen how live web casting has helped to make local government in North Dublin transparent and has improved the understanding of the public of the workings of the council. I would like the same approach to be taken by the Oireachtas. More specifically, in regard to what was outlined by the Minister, I very much...

Establishment of Committees (11 Oct 2007)

Darragh O'Brien: We are back in Government.

Establishment of Committees (11 Oct 2007)

Darragh O'Brien: The Taoiseach was in the House six times more than the then Prime Minister Tony Blair and Britain is not a new democracy.

Establishment of Committees (11 Oct 2007)

Darragh O'Brien: No, it is not.

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Cuffe for agreeing to share time. I was interested in Deputy Coveney's contribution and I ask the Minister to take his proposals on board. I welcome this legislation. We must examine the human side of this. I will encourage my Government colleagues to examine the notion of temporary residency. The legislation has the right thrust about it in protecting people. We must...

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Darragh O'Brien: It is an honour to speak on this important motion. As other Deputies have said, it is of the utmost importance to Members of the House, the Irish Defence Forces and the Irish nation. I support Deputy Behan's call that our troops, when they are abroad on prolonged missions of four months or more such as this, have the requisite means of making contact with their families and loved ones, be...

Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 May 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I wish to share time with Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick.

Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 May 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I, too, acknowledge the work of Irish members of the European Parliament in the formation of the EU REACH regulation, in particular, Liam Aylward, MEP, whom I know worked on it for more than two years. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on the Bill. Previous speakers mentioned the importance of the manufacturing industry in Ireland, in particular chemical and pharmaceutical plants...

Democratic Process in Zimbabwe: Motion (15 May 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to speak on this all-party motion on the democratic process, or lack thereof, in Zimbabwe. This issue was discussed at length in the House approximately six months ago and, if anything, the situation has deteriorated further since then. The Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs has discussed the ongoing terrible situation in what could be a...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I am speaking as someone who has stepped outside his car and used trains since being elected to the House. This city has serious traffic problems. I am fortunate that my area has the DART service. People will use public transport if it is efficient and frequent. Bringing all of the agencies together under a single authority must allow them to work together on behalf of the public. Deputy...

Constituency Commission Report: Statements (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: What I have to say today bears no reflection on the eminent people who are members of the committee. I believe even the most eminent can make mistakes. This report contains glaring errors and inconsistencies. I listened with interest in the Chamber today and on the monitor in my office to the contributions made by Deputies Thomas Byrne, John Cregan and Charles Flanagan. Some of the...

Constituency Commission Report: Statements (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Darragh O'Brien: I could never forget Clontarf with Deputy McGrath here. The north county of Dublin has its own special identity. People do see themselves in the main as Dubs but also as Fingalians. Swords is the capital of Fingal from where Fingal County Council operates. The findings of the commission's report with the stroke of a pen transfers 13,000 voters from Swords to Dublin West. The entire River...

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.