Results 20,561-20,580 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Amendment No. 2 seeks to amend the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014, by the insertion of a new section 34A to provide that the IAS scheme shall not be allowed to close its pension scheme except where the scheme has reached a minimum 90% funding standard. We discussed on Committee stage the general thrust on any scheme not being allowed to be rewound should it have not reached 90%...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, but I would like to respond to the Minister of State if I may. I completely disagree with the note that departmental officials have given the Minister of State. It does not bear any resemblance to the real situation. It is important to point out that this amendment only relates to one scheme. In that context, how can the Department argue that it would have ramifications for what they...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: That was related to the first amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I appreciate that but the amendment relates to one scheme because it was the first scheme to which this happened. The Minister of State's note also made reference to risk-free defined contribution schemes but there is no such thing. Defined contribution schemes are also at risk. The idea that defined benefit is bad and defined contribution is good is nonsense and officials in the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: The current President.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: He signed it within three days. All of this was choreographed from the beginning. I have a lot of regard for Uachtarán na hÉireann but I am just saying that it appears that everything was lined up in advance. This amendment will not affect any other scheme. While I thank the Minister of State for responding, I again ask him what is wrong with setting a 90% funding standard which...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 3:In page 16, after line 35, to insert the following: “26. The State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 is amended by inserting a new section 34A as follows:“34A. The IAS Scheme shall not be allowed to close its pension scheme except where all pension scheme members are treated in an equitable manner on the winding up of that scheme.”.”.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I have not spoken yet.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I have no wish to burst anyone's bubble, but given the amount of bouquets being thrown at the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, today, he could open a florist shop. It is a little galling to be honest because we are here to debate a Bill, what is good about it and what is in it.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not feeling too Christmassy right now. We have a great deal of work to do between now and Christmas. Let us consider some of the issues that have not been covered or addressed. All of us welcome the improving economic climate in the country. Having said that, we must recognise how this is not impacting on thousands of people in this country, especially those in middle Ireland. There...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Let us consider the budget. The highest benefit in terms of tax changes will be felt by higher income earners. Tax changes will result in a gain of 1.9% for those earning €75,000 a year and 0.8% for those earning €20,000 year. They are the figures and the facts. Senators can dispute them all they want, but that is the way it is. I want to raise one matter which has been...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Hold on, they must get that agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the fact that Committee Stage of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015 will adjourn at 3 p.m. if it has not already concluded. I put Members on notice that I have tabled a number of significant amendments regarding pensions. These amendments would ensure that what happened in the case of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme, whereby a Government cut promised benefits by up...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: With respect to Senator Bacik, that means they must be prepared in advance of the Second Stage speeches.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: He can table an amendment as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: In which case, Senator O'Donovan must propose an amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: It will be a Fine Gael-Labour Party government.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I am just going by what the Minister of State's party leader has said. We are very confident that the next government will comprise the Labour Party and the Fine Gael Party.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I did not heckle the Minister of State. He would know it if I had done so.