Results 21,801-21,820 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: In light of the information and statement made by the Leader here today that Mr. McNulty has withdrawn his candidacy, although questions remain to be answered, I withdraw my amendment. I have asked for clarification on the electoral process and would welcome a note from the returning officer to be read into the Seanad record as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: How would I know that? We have never had an issue like this before.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not trying to be disruptive but I wish to ask one question. Following on from Senator Cullinane's comments, ballot papers arrived yesterday morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: People would have voted yesterday. What is the position? Will the Seanad, through the Cathaoirleach, ask the returning officer what is the position? The statement could be read into the Official Report.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: What happens if that candidate wins and does not wish to take up his seat?

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Thank you.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: On a point of order, I thank the Leader for his statement and clarification. However, in light of Mr. McNulty's withdrawal from the Seanad by-election what is the process now? As members of the electorate and Seanad we need to know-----

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am tabling this amendment because this is a serious issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I will finish on this point but for argument's sake, had this not been raised in this Chamber last week and had some journalist not done the job, none of us would have known about this. Incidentally, two thirds of State appointments since the present Administration took over have been appointed without any advertisement.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I formally table an amendment to the Order of Business again today to have the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, come into this House to answer questions put to her about the appointment of Mr. John McNulty to the board of IMMA in order to ensure he could be a ratified candidate to fill a vacancy in this very House.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: Has the Leader received an update from the Minister for Health on the multiple sclerosis drug, fampridine - Fampyra - which has still not been assessed by the Department of Health? Many sufferers of MS cannot access the drug which could change their lives and give them back their mobility. I do not take issue with the Leader but I am sick to the back teeth of writing to the Department of...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am holding a ballot paper for the Seanad by-election.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not see the problem with displaying it.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I know the Government does not want to discuss the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I will not display it but I refer to the ballot paper for the Seanad by-election. The second candidate on the list is Mr. John McNulty from Donegal. I will not give his address. He is listed as a business man and board member of the Irish Museum of Modern Art. We know he is not a board member of the Irish Museum of Modern Art and we contest that he probably never was, because the board...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I accept and respect your ruling from last week, a Chathaoirligh, but the Government cannot slide away from this and think people are going to forget about it.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not forgetting about it, because what has happened in the past week is absolutely despicable and deplorable. It is a degradation of the Seanad. I say to the Leader that the Taoiseach and a Minister of his party has brought the Chamber and the democratic structures of the State into disrepute. A nomination was made up in order to ensure the individual concerned could run in the...