Results 24,361-24,380 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I am formally calling for a suspension of the House, so that the Leaders and the Whips of each group will meet the Cathaoirleach. Mistakes can be made. We should take the opportunity to discuss specifically the ruling out of order of amendments on the respite care grant.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not our fault.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, I do.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I respect that a Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I formally seconded amendment No. 1. It is unfortunate that we are in a position that we must table amendments to the Title of the Bill to show our disgust with the measures that have been taken in the Bill. I am speaking on the amendment. The time is limited. As an aside let me say to Senator Keane that it is not our fault that the time for debate is restricted. We did not seek a...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We did not ask inane questions for an hour and half yesterday on the section, in which Senator Bacik repeatedly got up and asked questions about the Title of the Bill. We knew exactly what was happening yesterday.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I will but that is the reason we find ourselves in this situation.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It is a good job that Sinn Féin tabled the amendment. This shows how ridiculous is the procedure being used here today. The only way we can stand up and discuss the respite care grant today is by speaking against the Title of the Bill. We intend to do so and the sooner we move towards a vote the better. We will return to this on Fifth Stage.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I second the amendment. My party and I completely and utterly disagree with the ruling of the Chair in respect of amendment No. 3 and related amendments tabled by Independent Senators and Sinn Féin. I have been told that we cannot seek to delete the Government's proposal to cut ¤26 million from the respite care grant. We are being told we cannot discuss it because it is a potential...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We are calling for the House to be adjourned so that the Leaders and Whips can get together and discuss the matter.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Excuse me. If we are not going to be allowed to vote on this we should not be wasting time on it.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This is outrageous.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: If I may, I seek the direction of the Chair with regard to the Social Welfare Bill.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This is important. We did not know at the Order of Business stage that, effectively, any amendment on section 5 will not, I understand, be discussed, even though section 5 was not voted on because all Stages were voted on. I am looking for clarification. Will we be able to vote on section 5 of the Social Welfare Bill on Report Stage?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It is not a question of the amendments. I am not trying to pose any difficulty. I am just asking a question.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not what I am asking. While I disagree with some of your rulings on the amendments, we will discuss that on the Social Welfare Bill, which is fine. What I am asking now is in regard to section 5, which is the respite care grant section. The Cathaoirleach is suggesting this section cannot be discussed on Report Stage. Is that correct?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: On what basis?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We did not vote on that section. I consider this crucially important. Not only did we have yesterday a deliberate filibuster by the Minister and Government Senators, we now have a situation-----

Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This is very important.