Results 22,501-22,520 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I will be raising these matters directly with the Minister, Deputy Hogan, specifically as to why his Department did not send anyone to that meeting of the largest local authority.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not, because I will address it with the Minister, Deputy Hogan.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: If the Leader would give me an extra half an hour on the Pyrite Resolution Bill, which I hope he will, I do not believe we will have an amendment to the Order of Business. However, this is a very serious issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Some €2 billion in assets is being taken from Dublin City Council, which leaves a major hole in its balance sheet, and there is a pension liability of €330 million. What is happening is that the current pension liabilities of staff who are transferring to Irish Water will stay with the city council. I will tell the House what is happening, in my view-----

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: This is very important. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Hogan, this and I ask the Leader whether he would agree with me. The Government is selling Bord Gáis but it has committed that it will not sell Irish Water. Leaving the pension liabilities with the local authorities is making sure that Irish Water has a clean balance sheet and very low pension liabilities, so the Government is...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Is that so?

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Minister and this Bill. I know how much work he and his officials have done on the pyrite issue. From time to time, I have criticised the Government on various issues, but I must commend the Minister's commitment in this instance. It is also appropriate that I mention our late colleague, the former Minister of State, Shane McEntee, who is unfortunately no longer with us. His...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: No.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: What makes the Senator so sure about that?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: What would the Senator define as being the top?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I want to know whether it is being investigated.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I seek confirmation in this regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The public is entitled to know.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: A Chathaoirligh, the public is entitled to know.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The point is-----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The point is-----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: We just want to know whether it is with him.