Results 24,621-24,640 of 26,320 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Government's announcement yesterday of 31 May as the date for the referendum on the fiscal compact. We had a good debate in this House on the issue, which should be followed through with another discussion once the referendum legislation is published. We might be somewhat constrained in terms of the time available. I understand the legislation will come before the Dáil in...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: To me, 5% seems minimal for processing of this charge.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Conway should calm down for a second.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: My point is that far fewer than 30% of citizens have paid and by the end of this week, the Government will be lucky to break 50% or 60%. The Minister was able to row back substantially on the septic tank charge registration while under pressure. He has proved that he can look outside Leinster House and then decide to row back on decisions he has made. This is totally unfair. The majority...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I have asked repeatedly for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come into this House to update Members truthfully and factually on the position in respect of this household charge. It is causing grave concern and I warn the Government that unless it is dealt with in a reasonable fashion, the scenario of which the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport,...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: On a point of principle, I oppose taking all Stages of the Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2012 today. It is significant sleight of hand by the Government, as this is the first increase in motor tax duties since 2008 and undoes the vast majority of the work undertaken to reduce motor tax duties on low-emission cars. The Bill provides for significant tax increases in the case of...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Has Senator Gilroy read it?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: You have in your-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: We can have a proper debate on it after people have had a chance to read it. This would be the best way to do it.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is only because you did not----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Keane is sore because she got cut short.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Citizens have rights too.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is the problem.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I will be brief, as there are several sections to get through and the Minister must deal with a number of pressing issues. During Second Stage yesterday, my party outlined its overall view of the Bill. I will only comment on the relevant sections. We will not comment on the sections that have already been discussed. For efficiency's sake, colleagues across the floor might follow this line...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I move recommendation No. 8: In page 11, before section 2, but in Chapter 1, to insert the following new section: "2.--(1) On or before the end of each tax year the Minister for Finance shall set out the total amount of each of the following categories of public expenditure as a percentage of the total voted and non-voted current and capital expenditure for that tax year-- (a) voted capital...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his response to our recommendation, which is somewhat similar to what the Chancellor proposed yesterday. It would be fair to say, based on the letters sent to pensioners earlier this year, that while the Revenue Commissioners have come a long way in ensuring their forms are more understandable, they also have a long way to go. Many senior citizens found the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I will withdraw the recommendation on that basis. Recommendation, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I have a few questions on this section. This section effectively removes the tax exemption for the first 36 days of illness benefit and occupational injury benefit. In his statement yesterday, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, said that in some circumstances when an employee goes sick and continues to be paid by the employer, the employee can be better off financially on sick leave...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for that explanation. Much of what he has said makes sense. We have discussed absenteeism at length and the comparison between absenteeism in the private and public sectors. Effectively, the Minister is saying this section is included in the Bill to deal with public sector short-term sick leave. Is that the situation? Does the Minister see this section having any...