Results 22,481-22,500 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That is the kernel of the issue. I understand that resources are finite and that the scheme will be open for two to three years. It will take more time than that to fix the problem. I hope in the intervening period there may be case law and we may have recourse to those who should pay for this. I wish to set down a marker that this problem will not be resolved by remediating the worst...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 10a: In page 13, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:"(r) Homeowners who have already undertaken remedial works in the six years preceding this scheme from its commencement shall be eligible to apply to the scheme for compensation.".The Minister will have received, through his Department and through colleagues, as I and my colleague, Senator Averil Power...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his comments. I take it that the Minister has not fully closed the door. I recognise it is not a compensation scheme but effectively people who had to use their own funds or borrowed moneys to make their houses safe. If there was an indication that the Minister for Finance would look at the issue by way of VAT rebates or allowing write-offs against future tax...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Is amendment No. 6a in this group as well?

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Does the Minister wish to comment on amendment No. 6a or will I explain our amendment?

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Section 13(6) states: "The Board shall publish the pyrite remediation scheme and any amendment or replacement thereof in such manner, including by electronic means, as it sees fit." We are saying this should be subject to the agreement of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Any changes that arise should be brought back to the Oireachtas committee.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Neither I nor my party have the amendment but it does not matter. I am happy with the amendment.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The section deals with significant pyritic damage and includes categories (i) and (ii) which flows into the card system of red, amber and green. Are all these included?

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine. I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The Fianna Fáil amendments are similar. It is important to have a proper review mechanism in place when the scheme is established and becomes operational. As the Minister alluded to in his Second Stage speech, the review must be such that matters can be discussed both in committee and, if necessary, when the report is laid before the Houses. Members will want to discuss it again in...

Seanad: Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I made a detailed contribution on Second Stage. I thank the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Noonan. The Minister of State accepted amendments from the Opposition in the other House. This is a good piece of legislation. I put the case on behalf of our group on Second Stage. I do not deem it appropriate to delay the House further. This Bill will greatly improve the transparency...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The Garda has the information.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: So it is not for us to ask questions.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: He will not come. He is afraid of the two lads opposite, Senators Whelan and Kelly. He will not come to the Seanad to listen to them.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The Leader should go back and read that agreement.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Does the Senator want fracking instead?

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Fracking destroys the countryside too.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Would it be possible to allow an extra half an hour for Committee Stage of the Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013? I spoke to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, yesterday. We have tabled five amendments and Sinn Féin has also tabled amendments. The extra time would give us a chance to go through some of the amendments on which I hope we can get...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I am aware of that but I am advising my colleagues what it means in real terms to the local authorities.