Results 23,601-23,620 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien
- Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: I backed the Leader 100% on that last year but we have taken our foot off the pedal. Senators have an equal say on joint Oireachtas committees. If we have to facilitate the commencement of committee meetings while the Order of Business is taking place in the House, we should not do so and we should seek a change to the time committees meet. I would also look into the Leader's suggestion...
- Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: I will leave that to Senator Norris to discuss. During the course of the campaign there was a focus on our political structures, not just the Seanad, which is a good thing. What is not good, and is a matter we must get into straightaway, is the budget. Let us have no doubt about the timing of this referendum. With a week to go to the budget, when we will be discussing old age pensions,...
- Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: What time does the Leader expect to take the statements on political reform?
- Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Okay. It is good to be back. It has been a very difficult number of months for every Member. During that time Senators endeavoured to do their work as best they could, although unquestionably it was under a cloud. Sometimes when the spotlight is focused on individuals it makes us all think about the job we do, how well we do it and, in some instances, how we do not do it well and where we...
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: What about discretionary medical cards?
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: There was a discussion at the Labour parliamentary party meeting about it yesterday evening.
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Are we leaving No. 1 open ended?
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: That is fine. It is an important debate. We have all been contacted by our respective county enterprise boards, CEBs. Undoubtedly, improvements can be made. Some CEBs perform better than others, but their dissolution and subsumption into local authorities will remove local focus. CEBs support start-up and existing businesses in specific areas. It is flawed legislation that my group will...
- Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: What about the 2009 Act?
- Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Stop, that is not true.
- Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: People like that represent a small proportion. We are discussing large, managed funds.
- Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: It is a first to hear a Labour Senator say that.
- Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Fair play to Senator Hayden. That is so good of her.
- Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: My God.
- Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: I am not sure how to follow Senator Conway. I know that his sentiments are valid and well held. He mentioned a number of things such as how we need to think outside the box; how where there is a will, there is a way; and how we need to fast-track this and that. That is correct but there are no solutions there. I commend Senator Quinn for producing this Bill. I have no doubt the Minister...
- Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: Strange, that.
- Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: It has been a long weekend.
- Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)
Darragh O'Brien: It might be a bit soon for the Cathaoirleach to allow that happen.