Results 21,781-21,800 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: It is actually not unbelievable.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: All of us here deserve an answer with regard to what happened. Listen to the commentary over the last couple of weeks from people in this sector. See how they feel. Forget about Mr. McNulty for a minute and the Fine Gael stroke to get him into this House, which may happen on Friday. I do not care whether he is in the House or not at this stage.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Look at what has happened in this sector since 2011. I am asking the Minister - because she has not been able to do it up to now - to tell us what she is going to do in this area. I do not think the Minister can move on from this in any way, shape or form until she is honest with people. She has not been honest with people. The Taoiseach has not been honest with people.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: It is not acceptable for the Minister, the Taoiseach or the Government to say this has nothing to do with the Irish people and that it is an internal Fine Gael matter. It is not. Her party is funded to the tune of €4.2 million every year by the taxpayer. If the paid official in Mount Street in Fine Gael told the Minister to appoint the two individuals to the board and, more...

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: -----that the Minister put belt and braces on this individual's candidacy for the by-election, we are entitled to know-----

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: -----if the Minister did that without the say-so from the Taoiseach. No one believes that.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: That Seanad Éireann---- recognising the significant contribution that a vibrant arts and culture sector makes to the Irish nation; - acknowledging the positive impact on the economy and employment of our wider arts sector, contributing €4.7 billion to the economy and directly and indirectly supporting 79,000 jobs; - noting that in the period 2005 to 2010 alone more than...

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: That is what Fine Gael has done. Let us deal with the facts that we still do not know the answers to.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Here is one fact: the board of IMMA was increased from nine to 11. Who decided that? The Minister decided that. She appointed two Fine Gael members to the board of IMMA, breaching that party's cap and bringing the membership from nine to 11. That is what the Minister has done, and that is a fact. Senator O'Donnell may dispute it if she wishes.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: This may be uncomfortable for Fine Gael, but the independence of the sector is important regardless of the stroke that Fine Gael tried to pull. I am entitled as a citizen and as an Oireachtas Member to know what happened. Members of Fine Gael are not entitled to assert that the issue of who told the Minister to appoint Mr. McNulty to the board of IMMA is a party matter. The Taoiseach says...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Was the vote not on amendment No. 58?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Who was the Senator canvassing for?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: He called him anti-British and should withdraw that.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Like the appointment to IMMA.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Did the Senator vote for Mr. McNulty? She probably did, like all the Labour Party members who walk through the lobbies and do what their Fine Gael masters tell them to do.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I bet she did, no doubt about it. I hope she walks him into the House -----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Everyone will agree that we are very proud of our Defence Forces and the force reserve company that has returned from a difficult mission in the Golan Heights. I am delighted that they have all returned safely. I commend the men and women of the reserve company on their bravery during their tour of duty over the past six months. While there will be only a short debate or statements, it is...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am formally proposing an amendment to the Order of Business this morning.

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (2 Oct 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I second the amendment.