Results 25,141-25,160 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister wishes.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Cé mhéid nóiméid?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I appreciate the allowance of contribution time for this debate. The 20th amendment to the Constitution is supported by my party and we will support this Bill. A number of amendments have been listed in the Dáil and I have some questions. With regard to the referendum, concerning which we may have an opportunity to talk to the...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes. I welcome the measures on pensions, in particular those which most people would agree are considerably above the norm, namely, pensions for senior members of former Governments, senior civil servants, members of the Judiciary, and so on. I wish the figure provided by the Minister of State's was actually €400 million because a saving of €400,000 is minimal. I believe he will agree...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I was coming to that. I could come into the Chamber and shout and roar at the Minister of State. However, he knows my point. This is wrong. It is wrong that these posts are not advertised. It was wrong when it was done by previous Governments-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: -----and it is wrong now.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: There are more and more of these posts. In the Taoiseach's office there are four such appointments, at a cost to the taxpayer of €440,000. I want to know if these people are qualified. The Bill is important. It reaffirms the wish of the people concerning the 29th amendment to the Constitution but it does not go far enough in cutting pension payments to former officeholders and former...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: A short debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The deal stated the rate should rise 1% in 2012 and another 1% in 2013, not 2% in one year.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Leader is incorrect and he knows that. The deal stated the rate should rise 1% in 2012 and another 1% in 2013, not 2% in one year.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, it is.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yesterday I raised the proposed cuts in the disability allowance both on the Order of Business and during the debate on the budget. I asked the Leader and his colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, to raise it with the respective Ministers. I am pleased that it appears the Government will row back on this. I watched what the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, said last night in response...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am disappointed that no additional time was given yesterday evening for many speakers still offering for the debate on the budget. The budget is crucial in that it sets out the financial strategy of the Government for the coming year. Legislation will follow and we will consider the social welfare Bill here for two days next week, which is important. However, many people were offering...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: -----due to a direct conflict of interest that the Minister has.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Really.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik is going well this morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: With all due respect, there is no point in Deputy Bacik standing here lecturing us.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik dismissed it yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.