Results 24,661-24,680 of 26,320 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: People will wake up tomorrow morning wondering whether a registered letter will come in the letter box and whether they will have a house in a month's time. Some 30,000 people are going through the courts at present in this regard. Let the Government side not forget that its Members in the Seanad voted down Senator MacSharry's Bill, the Family Home Bill 2011, which would have given-----

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: -----protection to homeowners badly in need of it, whether the Government side likes it or not. In this Chamber, we do our best at many times to work together in the national interest and there are times when we divide in this regard. However, the record shows the Government told the public it would protect education but did not do so. The Minister for Education and Skills announced a...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Today I am not going to talk about the new politics that new Fine Gael and the Labour Party were to introduce or the Government's statement that it would not appoint friends and cronies, including in judicial appointments, nor will I talk about the breaking of salary caps for their special advisers. I agreed with Senator Whelan this morning that it is an outrage that the chief executive of...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: -----in which it has been managed by the Government has been poor. The Government's report card overall should state "Must do better" and perhaps it should be awarded a D+.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It was not; that is a lie.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: No, it was not.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Did we do it?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This is a question of procedure and I thank the Leader for his reply. However, the Bills Office rang five minutes ago and told us that it would only accept amendments until 6 p.m. This is not the way for the House to do business.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Perfect. I thank the Leader.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: That Seanad Éireann: criticises the Government for reversing its position on a number of election pledges and for failing to implement a significant number of commitments contained in the Programme for Government; calls on the Government to: immediately implement measures to help those struggling with mortgage arrears as promised in the Programme for Government; follow through on...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not speaking about the Minister of State. I refer to senior Ministers. Many of us think he should be in the Cabinet but, unfortunately, he is not there this time around. I agreed with Senator Whelan's remarks on the Order of Business on capping bankers' salaries. The individual who introduced caps on bankers' salaries was the late Brian Lenihan, God rest him. People said at the time...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I remind my eminent friend from Carlow-Kilkenny that every time a budget was proposed over the past ten or 12 years those who are now Ministers called for more. My colleagues will deal with each of the points made in the motion. They will address the cynical promises made on the health service, the Defence Forces, the Garda and child benefit. The individuals who made these promises knew...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That was the policy document of the former Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: He is in for it now.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It is the same level as it was in February 2011.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: The same as it was in February 2011.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Given what Senator Bradford said, it is unfortunate there are only four Government Members here for this debate, so I call a quorum.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: A pathetic effort.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: A vote there against Government policy.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: They missed the Leader.