Results 2,141-2,160 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is a choice the Government could have made but chose not to because it is protecting schools in Dublin 4 and the plush areas of Dublin. Where is the Labour Party philosophy as enunciated before the general election to give more protection to the less well-off than to those who can drive to school in 2008 and 2010 Jeeps in a plush area of Dublin 4? Choices could have been made but the...

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: ----- and protect the smaller schools? I call on rural Senators of all parties to leave the party hat outside the door if they think this is not political and vote the right way to protect smaller schools in rural constituencies, protect teachers who have only got on the ladder of employment and protect the children we are supposed to serve.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: There is a segment on Radio 1 every Friday called, Fiver Friday. Will the Leader ensure the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is invited to partake in the debate this Friday - Fiver Phil - because of the reduction in the registration charge for septic tanks to €5. I am sure he would make an excellent contribution to the segment on Joe Duffy's show this Friday...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I appeal to the Leader to organise Fiver Phil because we would like to hear what he has to say.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We learned the heads of the Gaeltacht Bill were approved by the Government yesterday, which I welcome. Will the Leader find out when the Bill will be published? Perhaps we should have a detailed discussion on the contents of the Bill now that the drafting process has begun. However, I raise the concerns of many people living in Gaeltacht areas about the proposals by the Government to stifle...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: -----where people would be appointed to boards by Ministers and county councils, as in this instance. It is an affront to democracy and I call on the Leader to facilitate a debate specifically on the Gaeltacht Bill in the coming weeks, if that is possible.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support Senator Mullins in his call for a specific debate on banking. I want to also refer to the bluster and smokescreen that was announced last night by the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, in Deputy Mattie McGrath's constituency. I do not know why he announced it there.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Minister announced that there will be a reduction of €50 to €5 in the registration fee for the septic tank charge.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the reduction.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the reduction but I do not know why the Minister did not have the courtesy to accept a Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin amendment seeking no fee.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: He spent over 20 hours debating the Water Services (Amendment) Bill with us yet he announced the fee reduction at a public meeting in a rural constituency instead of here. He has not dealt with the real issues. His announcement was a smokescreen that has backfired badly on the Government because rural Ireland is up in arms today. The real issue of the septic tank Bill is standards and the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: If that is the case, there was no need for the legislation we passed last week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: She is disagreeing with the Minister, Deputy Hogan.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: On a point of order, it is disingenuous of any Member of this House to accuse anyone of scaremongering-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: -----when none of us knows what the standards will be.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I will accept it if the Leader can clarify what the standards will be. We do not know at the moment.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is Senator Maurice Cummins.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The issue of the fiscal pact is being debated by groups of people throughout the country. The one question being asked is whether we will have the opportunity to hear a constructive debate as part of a referendum process. I agree with Senator Harte that the court case relating to the by-election in Donegal was handled in a very poor manner by the then Government. I certainly paid a...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: However, the advice given to the Government at the time by the then Attorney General was that the court case would not be successful. We are now depending on advice from the current Attorney General. I am not stating that her advice will not be valid or proper. Regardless of whether the Attorney General recommends the holding of a referendum, the Government will take a political decision...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is ridiculous.