Results 25,241-25,260 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: We did not get an opportunity to have a proper debate prior to the budget. There are further reports today of a 10% increase in premiums for private health insurance policy holders. This increase will be brought about because the Minister for Health is going to impose a 31% increase on private health insurers for the use of public beds. Is the Leader aware that since 2009, more than...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, where is the legislation the Government promised to ensure the covered institutions would pass on the rate decreases? Where is the mortgage arrears implementation strategy that was promised would be published before the budget? It has not been published. The Minister for Finance said it might be published by Christmas but I doubt that. The Government has gone through a full year...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Fine Gael and the Labour Party are in Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: What did the Government promise? It said it would have a mortgage arrears implementation strategy.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik does not have to respond to me. The Leader of the House is due to respond. Senator Bacik does not have to say anything.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Do not respond then.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik is responding.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Thousands of mortgages in arrears and the Senator brings out a 500 household pilot scheme.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It is already in existence.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Fine Gael and the Labour Party should have a chat among themselves. The Government needs to figure out what it is doing on Croke Park.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It was a bad decision.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Thanks to the Opposition.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: There is a glaring omission from today's Order of Business. Last week, I and other colleagues in the Opposition called for a pre-budget debate in the Chamber in which we could have a proper meaningful discussion. At the time I was grateful because the Leader acceded to the request and stated that he would arrange for the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, to come to the House today for...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Penrose was the Minister of State with specific responsibility for housing and the homeless. The Government has not moved to fill that vacancy because the Labour Party cannot decide whom they wish to elevate to the high chair at the Cabinet table. That is an outrage and I now hear that the vacancy will not be filled until after budget day. I will be interested to see what the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Leader should ask the Taoiseach therefore. I am disgusted that this portfolio has remained vacant for two weeks. Was this portfolio simply a sop? If the Labour Party could get its act together and decide who will be elevated to the Cabinet table, maybe we could have someone advocating for the homeless at Cabinet level. It is outrageous that this has not been done.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am asking the Leader to ask the Taoiseach about this matter. More than four weeks ago, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, clearly told us that a mortgage arrears implementation strategy would be published in advance of the budget. Where is it? Is there any legislation from the Government for dealing with mortgage arrears and distressed mortgages? The Minister for Finance, Deputy...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I may be out of time but this is crucially important.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I urged Members on the Government side to hold to one promise they made to those with distressed mortgages and mortgage arrears, but they have done nothing in that period.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Bacik is doing extremely well.