Results 26,541-26,560 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I am pleased to be back. I look forward to the upcoming session. In the last session the Seanad made a great deal of progress in terms of how it does its business. I commend the Leader of the House, the leaders of the other groups and all Members on that. I hope this afternoon's question and answer session will be fruitful. Many valid questions will be asked. We will see what the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Sep 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I will be quick. Many Members have asked when the Minister for Health will come to the House. The Minister for Health came here once to take legislation that had cross-party support, an important Bill on female genital mutilation. We have not had a proper questions and answers debate with the Minister on the health services. It was interesting to note that the day figures were published...

Seanad: Family Home Bill 2011: Second Stage (27 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I wish to share my time with Senator Walsh.

Seanad: Family Home Bill 2011: Second Stage (27 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: We have discussed this Bill before and I have noted with interest the comments of Senator Hayden. Let us call a spade a spade; no one has an overall solution, just as there was none in the Labour Party motion agreed in the House. On this side of the House, we made a conscious decision to proceed as we have done because 50,000 homeowners are in arrears for 90 days or more. There were 148...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to share time with Senator Terry Leyden.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, to the House and thank her for her contribution. The support for the cross-party motion in the House shows we are all supportive of the Government in its endeavours in regard to child protection. Both church and State must do everything possible to ensure children are provided with the protection they deserve. It is saddening to...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Mar a deirtear, Tús maith, leath na hoibre. The Seanad has made a good start in this term. I commend the Leader, the leaders of all the groups and all my colleagues because we have made some significant strides towards reforming the way we do our business. We have an eclectic bunch of Senators with different views and different ways of doing things, and that is important. We have made a...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: For some reason, the tricolour is not flying over the House this morning. Will the Leader talk to the Captain of the Guard, because we are here working and the tricolour should be flying over Leinster House?

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: My Whip, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, noticed it. To be honest, I did not notice it.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I have no doubt it is. I hope Senators have a great break and a lovely summer and I look forward to coming back in September and working constructively with everyone.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I express our deepest condolences to the people of Norway on the brutal and senseless murder of many young people, the bombing in Oslo and the subsequent shootings. I also express our satisfaction with the deal done last week. I commend the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and all others involved in securing a new EU deal. What this proves is that...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (21 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Get Mary O'Rourke.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Physician heal thyself.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Yesterday, the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on the environment, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, said we would table amendments to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill. We will oppose the Bill in its current format. I welcome last night's agreement between Germany and France on dealing with the Greek debt crisis. Can the Leader clarify the Irish negotiating position on this issue? On 25 May, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: On a point of order, that is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. It is not a matter for the Order of Business.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (20 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: As there is a quorum, I invite the Minister to resume.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Sheahan needs all the help he can get.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: It does not happen often.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2011)

Darragh O'Brien: I congratulate Senator Ó Clochartaigh and his wife on the arrival of their new son, Ríain. Sinn Féin has been adding to its numbers in recent weeks and should keep going in that regard. The Taoiseach is due to attend tomorrow's emergency summit of EU leaders. We wish the Taoiseach and the Government well in their endeavours in respect of this important meeting. I am particularly...