Results 22,541-22,560 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: -----is extremely serious. NAMA is the largest property management company in the world and has responsibility for €74 billion in loans. Allegations have been made in the past couple of years with regard to how some of NAMA's current and former staff have used information they obtained during the course of their work. It has been alleged that those to whom I refer have leaked or...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: This is important because I want to place the matter in context.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Information is being leaked from NAMA and is being given to vulture funds and other investors in order to confer financial advantage on them. This will ensure that these entities will profit off the backs of taxpayers and that viable businesses will be shut down as a result. I need to know today whether the Garda Commissioner has been requested to carry out a detailed investigation into...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree with the Senator. All I am seeking is confirmation as to whether the Garda Commissioner has been requested to carry out an investigation.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: The Leader is correct that three hours for Report Stage tomorrow is sufficient. Is the Leader in a position to provide an update on the meeting the leaders of the various groups were supposed to have with the Taoiseach in respect of Seanad reform? I had understood that the meeting to which I refer was due to be held on Wednesday next. As leader of the Fianna Fáil group, I have...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: No.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: It is not.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: -----this Government promised that there would be proper oversight of legislation.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Instead, it is guillotining the Finance Bill before we have seen all the recommendations.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: We have only reached section 9.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Just about.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: Some 47%.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not what I mean. The Senator would want to read it again. I referred to medical inflation.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I diverted from the recommendation and spoke about the section. What is the Minister's view on the actual recommendation that he would effectively index link the tax credit in line with medical inflation? I do not mean purely medical health insurance premiums; I am talking about medical costs. That can be done because it is in the basket for inflation. This would be a way to recognise the...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I move recommendation No. 10: In page 22, line 23, after “proportionately.” to insert the following:“The amounts referred to above shall increase annually in line with medical inflation as measured by the consumer price index published by the CSO.”.Section 8 amends the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to bring in new limits on the levels of insurance premiums where tax...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: That is the spin coming out of Government Buildings.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: I think it was in there somewhere. The Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, stood up for the Minister for Finance so he is watching Deputy Noonan's back. He did what he was told yesterday. We trenchantly oppose section 8. The amendment softens the blow by suggesting the amounts referred to shall increase annually in line with medical inflation as measured by the consumer price index published...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: To clarify, I have not argued for the status quo; none of us has. We all recognise that changes and reform are required in this area. I am not asking the Minister to continue the double credit but simply to allow the credit to be shared in some cases, as happens in Holland and which could be done here. The Minister is partially allowing it where somebody cannot claim the full credit. If...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Darragh O'Brien: My colleague, Senator Power, and I have tried to outline why we oppose the section. We have supported other sections of the Bill so it is not a case of us opposing this for the sake of it. I am disappointed that none of the recommendations, from all sides and parties, including the Independents, has been accepted. They were well thought out. I give a guarded welcome to the Minister's...