Results 22,861-22,880 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien
- Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: The people in the media know that in operating a Chamber like this one and the Lower House, official pairing arrangements operate. People can be sick or away on Government business but none of that was taken into account. I am sure the Leader will agree with my next point and I am not casting any aspersions on my colleagues opposite. What really disgusted me was a specific personalised...
- Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: It was despicable. I thank the Leader for his indulgence because this is an important point about the conduct of future campaigns. When one sees the Fine Gael press office issue statements personally attacking Senator Quinn who has done so much over the years and Senator Crown, a new Senator who has brought a new perspective, it is completely uncalled for. If anything, the idea of fewer...
- Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: On my own behalf and on behalf of my colleagues, I would like to condemn the brutal attack on two young girls in Athlone. All of us are fully aware that this is a matter for the Garda. An individual has been charged. I will say no more, other than to emphasise that our thoughts are with the two children and their families. I am sure the State will give them all the support that is...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: That does not bode well for the banking inquiry. They ran rings around the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Ciarán Lynch.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Yes.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Well done.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: The general secretary of Fine Gael is not an elected person, is he?
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: The Senator is right. I agree with him.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: If it is so critical, why should it not be done today? There are only statements scheduled for today.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Will the Acting Leader clarify whether the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, is coming to the House for the debate on No. 2?
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: If so, it will afford us an opportunity to discuss the forthcoming budget with him. The debate yesterday on disabilities was useful as we were able to outline to the Minister the various areas we want protected. That was in advance of the budget, and the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, committed to bringing the points raised back to the Government. It shows that the budgetary...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: I certainly am.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: It is a matter of concern that even the Cabinet is not discussing the budget with only about two weeks to go, and that we have not had structured debates in the House. If the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, comes to the House today I will use the opportunity to impress upon him the importance of not increasing the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools. That is vital.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Certainly not.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: What is the Government's position? It is clear the process in both Houses for preparing for the budget is wrong. We have heard indications through the media from the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, that he will increase the VAT rate to 13.5% for the hospitality and food sector, but there is no debate on it. One initiative the Government took, which I welcomed at the time, was...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: What did he say?
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: What did he say yesterday?
- Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: If the Senator wishes to indulge in fiction, he could read the amendment to the motion.
- Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Sep 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: It was said on the floor of the House.