Results 20,501-20,520 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Irish Water: Motion (13 Jan 2016)

Darragh O'Brien: I formally second the motion tabled this evening on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, the main points of which Senator MacSharry has outlined. This could be our last Private Members' motion before a general election and this issue has not gone away at all. Senator MacSharry has outlined very clearly the issue of water waste. In fairness to the Minister of State this was a Fine Gael...

Seanad: Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015: Second Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for outlining the provisions of this Bill. The single fact that will shock people is the Revenue Commissioners sometimes get things wrong. In response to a question tabled by Fianna Fáil's finance spokesperson in the Dáil, Deputy Michael McGrath, it was revealed that in approximately 26% of cases, appeals were decided in favour of the taxpayer. This...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: All the red wine.

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Well done.

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I support my colleague, Senator Wilson, in respect of the amendment he has tabled and have a question for the Minister of State on foot of his statement here. Is there a particular timeframe the Department has set by way of a review of this retirement age and of keeping it to 65? It unquestionably is anomalous when one has one cohort of judges who must retire at 65 and then apply for a late...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I support the position outlined by my party colleague, Senator Diarmuid Wilson. The Minister of State spoke about deferring the decision on this matter, which does not make sense, especially as he has admitted that there appears to be no good reason to preclude a District Court judge from appointment to a higher court. He referred twice to a commitment in the agreed programme for...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: That is highly unlikely.

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I can hear Senator David Norris.

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: This is a courts Bill which deals with appointments. There is no logical reason not to accept the amendment as it would improve the legislation. There is time left in the legislative programme to allow an amended Bill to pass through the Dáil. This is a simple, straightforward amendment and there is no reason to put off addressing the issue until a full, ongoing review has been...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for that response. At what stage is the review? It must be advanced somewhat if there is an end date early in 2016. Early 2016, to me, means the end of April, at the latest. How far advanced is the review and what will happen when it is completed? Will it be presented to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality? Where will we go from there?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I second the amendment proposed to the Order of Business by my colleague, Senator Marc MacSharry. It is absolutely appropriate that the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris, come into the House as a matter of urgency to explain what measures have been taken. Government Members may not be aware that the amount of capital funding for flood defences this year is being cut from the amount...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to respecting people in a republic. The Senator used the word "offend", that is, that religion would offend - she should check the record- that it would be offensive.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I will conclude on this point. I am not offended by anyone's religion and I am not offended if someone decides not to hold any religious belief. However, I must tell the Leader that any proposed deletion of Rule 68 must be debated fully and must not be a knee-jerk reaction to a few hundred parents who have found themselves in a difficult position. What about the millions of people, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: As for this idea of welcoming the proposed deletion of Rule 68, I have a final question.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Has the Government agreed to the deletion of Rule 68?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I certainly will not withdraw it.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I just go by the proof of what I see.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I will not withdraw it. She made a charge against me. I am not withdrawing any remark.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Talk to your hierarchy.