Results 2,421-2,440 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is Deputy Mattie McGrath.

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: I want to clarify that if the Business Committee decides not to schedule time next week or the week after then this debate is over.

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: I want to make sure that Deputy Mattie McGrath is aware that if there is no time scheduled next week or the week after the debate is over. Any Member of this House who wishes to speak has an opportunity to speak now, and if he or she does not speak now they are at the mercy of the Business Committee, which may not schedule any time this week or next week. The Deputy should not come crying...

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: We need to explain these antics to the public watching this debate.

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: There is nothing biased in that decision.

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: I would hate for anyone to accuse the Chair of being biased.

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Chair will understand next week.

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: We agree.

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: I have also stayed here to listen to every single contribution. I have been here for 95% of the contributions and it is unusual that this is happening with more than two hours of debating time left this evening. There are Members in the Chamber who have not contributed and may contribute. I see it as nothing more than a delaying tactic and an attempt to drag out the debate to next week....

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: That is what Deputy Mattie McGrath is doing.

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: Then Deputy Mattie McGrath should speak now and stop playing games.

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is my understanding that the debate has to be adjourned because no question is being put. If no question is being put the debate cannot be concluded and the debate adjourns when everybody who wishes to speak has spoken. Maybe the Government Whip or someone who has been in this House for longer than I have can clarify this but I understand this is the reason the word "adjourn" is on the...

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: Like Deputy Lisa Chambers, I attempted to write a speech in preparation for this debate. To be honest, I found it difficult. I will probably ramble for the next 20 minutes as I try to get out everything that is in my head and it will probably come out in no particular order. I could not write a speech. Given everything we have heard in the past four months, it is impossible to explain in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (18 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: 19. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to prioritise the flood defence needs of the State in the next capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2334/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (18 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: This is to ask the Minister of State about capital spending on flood defence projects and if he will make a statement on the priorities.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (18 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: That is fine. On the future capital plan, does the Minister of State have a list of projects and their costing which will feed into any deliberations about how much will be needed in future? I know that the projects which are being undertaken come under this capital programme.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Private Partnerships (18 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: 2. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional use of public private partnerships, PPPs, in capital spending beyond the 10% cap will be ruled out in view of the lack of a systematic cost-benefit analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2405/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Private Partnerships (18 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: I ask the Minister to rule out the use of PPPs in capital spending beyond the 10% cap in light of the review and given the lack of cost-benefit analyses.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Private Partnerships (18 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: We will await the outcome of that review and see what its recommendations will be, but I am sure the Minister is well aware that the IMF recently commented on the use of PPPs. It recommended:- Consider imposing restrictions on PPPs that are more likely to impose a future fiscal burden and consider "raising the bar" by requiring PPPs to achieve higher net cost savings compared to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Private Partnerships (18 Jan 2018)

Jonathan O'Brien: It is interesting the Minister mentioned Carillion because its collapse has raised concerns. In British politics a number of commentators have commented on the use of PPPs and the contribution they have made. One politician said:It enabled you [he was speaking to the Chancellor of the Exchequer], at least in the short term, to dress up considerable amounts of public expenditure and put them...