Results 20,661-20,680 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Even at this late stage.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: To remind Members, we had a fruitful debate on this legislation and the Leader acceded to a request to separate the different Stages of the Bill to allow the Government time to consider some of the points put to the Minister about setting a term limit to be applied to certain senior posts in the Oireachtas. I will be interested to see what will happen when the Bill is taken at 1 p.m. May I...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leader. Irish Water's seven-year plan will require to be debated once people have had an opportunity to read it. Some of the figures on which it is based lead one to believe it is merely an aspirational document rather than something that can actually be achieved. For example, it suggests there will be an 80% compliance rate and that €2 billion will be raised through...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: We need to know what is being done in this instance. The Government needs to address these points and show that something is being done. For all the positive spin on some good work that has been done - let us give credit where it is due - this Government will be known as the Government of repossessions. This Government has allowed the banks to repossess people's homes. It facilitated this...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: The current Administration introduced the relevant law.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik does not need to remind me about anything.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thought things were going well in Colombia.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for coming. The Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Simon Harris, was here for previous Stages when we had quite a detailed debate on the Bill, particularly about the duration of the term that was supposed to be set for the posts of Clerk of the Seanad and Clerk of the Dáil. I will not go over all of the details, as I am...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Or weeks.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his response. I outlined some concerns in my Second Stage speech which I hope will not come to pass. The system should be reviewed as to how it works in reality when the Bill becomes law and appointments are made. Perhaps people in the Department would look back at certain things we have said here that I hope do not transpire. We support the Bill. I thank the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Home Help Service (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I have raised this matter on a number of occasions. From my file I see that in February 2013, I raised the matter of the two Labour Court recommendations that gratuity payments be made in lieu of pension entitlements to a cohort of home help workers that are funded in the main by the HSE. In the intervening period, we have had some changes in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Home Help Service (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State and I appreciate the response. I know it came from the Department and not specifically from herself. However, I am very disappointed with the response and I shall quickly tell her why. I know she will raise the following matter and, in fairness, she has done so before. The HSE and the Department have broken every timeframe up to now.On 9 June I was told the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Home Help Service (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: That is much appreciated.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: On No. 2, I hate to tell members of the CPP, "I told you so" but there was no way the banking inquiry was going to be able to do its work in the set time and many Members agreed with me at the time.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: It was a collective "We told you so". I do not know how this will fit in with the general election, which is proposed for between now and then. It might all be done for nothing. I cannot agree with No. 1 being taken without debate. It relates to the disbursement of the funds from the sale of the Government stake in Aer Lingus, to the tune of €335,272,000.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I am aware that I can do that but I have used every opportunity to argue against what has happened to the retired and deferred pensioners in the Irish aviation superannuation scheme, the airport pensioners, many of whom have lost up to 60% of their pension. All of the retired members, people in their 70s, 80s and 90s, have lost six weeks' pay and are taking a case to Europe as we speak,...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe, come to the House to explain what, if any, steps he is taking to reduce the savage cuts foisted on the retired and deferred pension members of the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme, IASS. Furthermore, I would ask him to take on board the views of the Seanad with regard to...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: We are not afraid.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: That is 2016-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I wish to be associated with the Leader's remarks about our colleague, Senator Jimmy Harte, whom I wish health and happiness in his retirement. We all agree that he is an absolute gentleman. He is an avid sports fan, particularly soccer. He has had a rough couple of years and I hope his health will improve in retirement. We will certainly miss him in the Seanad where he played a very...