Results 25,721-25,740 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yesterday An Bord Pleanála gave final approval for metro north, a crucially important piece of infrastructure that has been at the planning stage for a number of years. Land has been purchased and €80 million has been spent on the project. It would create 6,000 construction jobs and has the potential to create 37,000 permanent jobs post construction. Given An Bord Pleanála has...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I want to be sure my colleagues across the House are aware of this in order that they can get it clear in their heads and can ask the Minister about this. We will not listen every day to statements that the Government's hands are tied in regard to the sale of State assets; they are not. My party is opposed to the sale of strategic State assets such as the ESB, which we discussed yesterday....

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Keane should be in the Chair.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I have asked the Deputy Leader to confirm that it is correct that no commitment or figure was given in the original deal with the troika by the previous Government to dispose of State assets and that this is a new departure and new policy by the Government to sell off the family silver. With regard to the pension levy and the raid on private pensions, the Government has raised €461 million...

Seanad: Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Statements, Questions and Answers (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: What about Vodafone?

Seanad: Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Statements, Questions and Answers (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Customers will be charged for that disadvantage by Vodafone.

Seanad: Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Statements, Questions and Answers (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I apologise for interrupting the Minister. On a point of order, this is a question and answer debate but Senator Ó Clochartaigh has repeatedly intervened during the Minister's response. There are other Members waiting to ask questions or to hear the Minister's response to their questions. It is most unfair.

Seanad: Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Statements, Questions and Answers (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I have raised issues which will affect people on Monday.

Seanad: Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Statements, Questions and Answers (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Minister to the House. Fianna Fáil is totally opposed to the sale of any element of the ESB. I assume the Minister's colleagues in the Labour Party are also opposed to it. The original Memorandum of Understanding did not refer to the sale of State assets to the tune of €2 billion, rather it asked for a review of State assets and possible privatisation of State owned assets....

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister was in Blanchardstown yesterday. One cannot even stand up and say that now.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It is not out of order.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Is it like when the Senator's party gives promises to its own electorate?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: What promises did Senator O'Keeffe make in the general election campaign? Let us be straight about it. Before talking about promises, the Senator should think about Sligo.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I asked about the situation pertaining to Aviva Insurance which is important.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I will begin with some good news, namely, that I have found out where the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, has been over the past few weeks. I note that on Monday he opened, apparently, a new unit in Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, a unit which was opened 18 months ago and which has been up and running since then. There is no question this was just a media stunt and...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister will be here tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Keane can ask him tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Why is he opening a hospital that has been open for 18 months?

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: We have been repeatedly told in the past 48 hours that no decision has been taken on the proposed closure of Cavan, Mullingar and Clonmel Army barracks and the possibility of the closure of Kilkenny and Castlebar as well. The Army community has been informed in particular that Cavan, Mullingar and Clonmel will be closed. This will affect 550 soldiers plus their families. I need not tell...