Results 21,561-21,580 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: The Chair allowed-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: There is a chance to rectify it next week in the Social Welfare Bill.
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I said that.
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: He was not.
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Can Deputy Martin consult the Senator?
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I am talking about the Taoiseach. Did he consult the Senator?
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: The Government's announcement about the new Seanad reform group, which is to report to the Government by March of next year, was printed in the newspapers over the weekend. Everyone here will know that the public rejected the Government's proposals to abolish the Seanad with the assistance of many members of the Government bench, the Leader included, and we all want to see reform of this...
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: -----and decide to set up a little working group. I will not even mention the people on it - they are good people - but what type of interaction-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: That is Senator Norris's opinion. I am not getting into that. Senator Quinn and Senator Zappone have brought forward a very good reform Bill in this House. Other Senators, including Senator Norris, introduced through the Leas-Chathaoirleach a very detailed document on proposals for Seanad and Oireachtas reform. It is not just the Seanad that needs reform; it is the Oireachtas, the...
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish Senator Michael D'Arcy well with the banking inquiry. I hope he enjoys the next nine or ten months. One of the positives of this Finance Bill arising out of the last budget is the increase in excise duty on cigarettes, which I have given up. I am now off them four weeks because I would not pay €10 a pack for them.
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Yes but it also means €10 less per day being spent by me, which the Government will have to factor into its figures. There are elements of this Bill that I welcome. Like Senator D'Arcy I welcome the abolition of the pension levy, which was one of the most regressive measures introduced by this Government. It was also a very under-hand tax, with €2.2 billion taken from the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: It was in the context of the property tax. That is quite unfair.
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Fine Gael also voted against it.
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Senator Gilroy's colleague is the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Deputy Kelly is responsible for the budget.
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: And Fine Gael. It was not-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: It had to do with housing.
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: It was not specifically about homelessness.
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leader for outlining the business for today and particularly for allowing time to debate the motions concerning the two Standing Orders which need to be discussed. I request we have a debate at the appropriate time, which will probably be in the new year, on the HIQA report on the National Ambulance Service. This is an issue that has been discussed in the House over a number of...