Results 2,301-2,320 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is not yet 24 hours since the budget was announced and already the Government has done a U-turn. There will be many more U-turns because people will not stand for some of the cuts being imposed on them. Teacher numbers are being cut in second level schools, while rural areas, including farmers, face a multitude of cuts. The cost of school transport has increased and rural Garda stations...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I second the amendment proposed by Senator Leyden and propose my own amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that the Minister for Education and Skills attend the House and explain how secondary school guidance teachers will be in a position to provide guidance to pupils if their posts are subsumed into classroom teaching roles. For example, in the case of a school in my local area which...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to make one point. I appreciate what the Minister has said and his clarification. However, we find it difficult to support Second Stage of the Bill without some assurances from the Minister that amendments such as exemptions for those with medical cards or those with mortgage arrears-----

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: On the basis of the lack of confirmation, it is not agreed.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The manner in which the Bill has been brought before the House is regrettable, to say the least. It was not published and circulated until last evening, and those in the Opposition benches had to have Committee Stage amendments tabled by 10 a.m. this morning. We found this wholly unacceptable. The timeframe did not give the Opposition parties in the Seanad sufficient time to scrutinise in...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We will propose an amendment to allow the charge to be paid on a monthly or weekly basis. I cannot understand why a €10 charge can be imposed on over-the-counter transactions for the NPPR when the same option is not being afforded under this legislation. If somebody wants to pay a charge in a local council office, he or she should not be penalised for doing so. Not everybody has Internet...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to acknowledge that the chief executive of Coillte Teoranta has agreed to take a 15% pay cut. I support Senator Darragh O'Brien's call for a debate on the forthcoming budget and on the pay rates which continue to be paid in the semi-State organisations. Mr. Gunning, the chief executive officer of Coillte, is on a salary of almost €300,000 and earned in excess of €430,000 last...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: -----with no discussion on the Bill which was blocked and guillotined.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: A Senator referred to the criminalisation of fishermen and how we should row back on that. What the Government side did by voting for the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 was criminalise people with septic tanks. That is what has happened.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is a bit rich to say we should decriminalise people.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: There was a great deal of hot air from the Government side and people who have not read the Bill. My offer to Senator Jimmy Harte still stands, that is, a public debate on this issue on any radio station he wishes-----

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: -----to clarify the facts.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is in the Bill.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is aimed at decriminalising people.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Senator wants to criminalise people. That is the reason he wants a specific-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We want to decriminalise people. That is why it is in there.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Work on that.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Why do you not change it then?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Valid questions that were raised on this side of the House were not answered during the debate. It is a disgrace.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Members opposite are criminalising people. They should hang their heads in shame.