Results 26,481-26,500 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: In response to two points raised by Senator Gilroy, I put on the record that we gave credit where it was due - excuse the pun - to the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, for the work in which they participated to ensure a rate reduction not just for this country but for other countries. I have no difficulty...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It is the principle. In fairness, the Bill has not been long published.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: We will not be light on contributions from this side. The Leader cannot say that about the Government side.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: On a point of order, it is the obligation of the Government to fill time slots provided. The Opposition regularly contributes.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It is.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It is not. The bottom line is that we are being accused of not filling time last week.

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Like Senator Byrne, I have never seen a Bill with no explanatory memoranda. Could the officials clarify why the explanatory memoranda were not published with the Bill? I tried to get them before the debate and they were not available. That infringes upon the job Members are supposed to do, and this is very important legislation, which we support. There should, however, be explanatory...

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Fine Gael supported the bank guarantee.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not know where to start with all of that. On the use of guillotines, there are two important pieces of legislation before the House today with which we do not have any difficulty in broad terms. The European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011 is something on which there is agreement in the main in both Houses and by most parties. Again, all...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I accept from my experience previously on committees that the powers specified in the Bill are needed by the Oireachtas but they are important ones and they should be looked at in great detail. Effectively, committees from here on in, and particularly the Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions, will be able to make findings of fact and to call and name individuals. All...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: We should invite him in for a chat.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senator was doing so well up to that.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: No, he has not.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judges' Remuneration) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It has been reported in the media that a number of judges have indicated their intention to retire although this is not to say this will be as a result of the referendum. Has the Department received any indication of the number of judges who are due to retire between now and next February? Are the media reports true? Following on from the point made by Senator Cullinane, how will the...

Seanad: Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judges' Remuneration) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Seanad: Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judges' Remuneration) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: That is true.

Seanad: Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judges' Remuneration) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: In accordance with the Order of the House today, Committee Stage will be taken now. Before Committee Stage commences, I would like to deal with a procedural matter relating to Bills to amend the Constitution. The substance of the debate on Committee Stage relates to the wording of the proposed constitutional amendment, which is contained in the Schedule to the Bill. The sections of the...

Seanad: SCHEDULE (21 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are alternatives to each other and must be discussed together.

Seanad: Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome this discussion of the Bill and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd to the House. He did not make the statement earlier and I am certain that the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, did not write the response. There are elements in this response which are, frankly, insulting and beggar belief. I refer to the Minister of State's contribution which states: The suggestion...