Results 22,021-22,040 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien
- Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: They are both from Mayo, are they not?
- Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: It is because the Senator has no Taoiseach in Laois.
- Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: On a number of occasions I have raised the issue of the drug Fampyra which greatly assists a number of multiple sclerosis sufferers by allowing them to get their mobility back and, effectively, enjoy an independent life. People whom I know and others who are involved in the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland have advised me that the drug has a positive effect on a significant number of...
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: No. What happened here today is most unfortunate. The Committee of Selection met legitimately with a quorum and selected Senators Seán D. Barrett and Marc MacSharry to be members of the banking inquiry. It is not in any way, shape or form coincidental that the statement made earlier by the Leader was directly related to that decision because it suits Government to have a majority on...
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Yes, but without credibility.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I have the utmost respect for the Leader. I have worked closely with him over the past three years and have the utmost regard for how he has always conducted himself in this House. For us, what happened this morning was a bridge too far. The Leader has withdrawn the remark of a suggested conflict of interest. I can tell him there is no conflict of interest. As per the Cathaoirleach's...
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: That is appropriate. We all make mistakes. I have said things before that I regretted saying and I have apologised for them. Members here know that. There is no weakness in apologising and admitting one made a mistake. I put it to the Leader that the foundation of the banking inquiry is rocked owing to what happened last night at the Committee of Selection and the manner in which the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Okay. I welcome that. However, I believe it is not too much to ask that the Leader apologise to a colleague in the House for putting those remarks on the record of this House.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: The Leader made a very serious charge earlier, which has already had ramifications in terms of the broadcasting of the proceedings of this House and on the Internet and so on. What happened is unfortunate. It should not have happened. It was a mistake. I put it to the Leader that it was an error of judgment. While acknowledging that the Leader has withdrawn the remarks, I ask that he...
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I agree with the Leader's proposal for a further suspension so that the leaders and the Whips might discuss this matter. We fully understand the gravity of the situation and we shall try to facilitate the Government getting out of the mess that it created this morning.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Cathaoirleach's clarification that any comment on any Member who is appointed to serve on the banking inquiry must go in writing to the CPP and cannot be mentioned on the floor of the House.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I am just trying to be helpful. We want this matter to be resolved. A democratic decision was made last night under Standing Order 89 and in the context of a motion tabled by the Government. The Leader is responding by stating that he will make a request to the CPP. Is he making a formal request, on the floor of this House, that the CPP meet?
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I am really sorry but we are dealing with it.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I am sorry but all Members on this side have done is to simply ask whether the Government is going to abide by the democratic decision taken last night by the Committee of Selection in respect of the Government's motion tabled under Standing Orders.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: I formally request that the sitting be suspended right now in order that we might deal with this matter. I am not suggesting that he did so for any particular reason - it may even have been a mistake - but the Leader has called into question the suitability of Senator MacSharry to serve on the bank inquiry.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: The Cathaoirleach has a duty to protect the reputation of the Members of this House. In that context, I am asking him to resolve this matter by suspending the sitting for ten minutes in order that we might find out both what the Leader is proposing and the nature of the allegations to which he referred. I formally ask that, in the interests of getting our business done, the sitting be...
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: It is an extremely serious matter.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: It was raised on the floor of the House. It is a serious matter.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Where should it be dealt with?
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)
Darragh O'Brien: Could Members please allow the Cathaoirleach to speak?