Results 25,361-25,380 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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...

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

Darragh O'Brien: This in no way, shape or form relates to the ongoing discussions in Government in regard to social welfare payments to employers.

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

Darragh O'Brien: Fine. I will not oppose the section.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I raised the issue of the household charge yesterday. Every day that passes shows the current method of attempting to collect it is failing. The information campaign is negligible and the Government is not speaking with one voice. The Tánaiste seemed, to put it mildly, confused yesterday afternoon when answering questions about how individuals would go about paying the charge To be...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: In fairness, we did the Seanad some service yesterday by informing and educating some Members on the other side of the House, particularly some of the newcomers to Fine Gael who may have learned some lessons.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I was not talking about the Senator. Yesterday's debate was important and covered new politics. I mentioned the breaching of pay caps for special advisers. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, has a great friend, Mr. Fergal Leamy, who was his special adviser and is an eminent individual. He said he would come on board as his patriotic duty and left...