Results 6,981-7,000 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: Before the Minister of State speaks, Senator Mooney wishes to rectify an error he made.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: You are testing the indulgence of the Chair.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: Be careful, Minister. We are on the same panel.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Mediation Services: Motion (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome this motion and thank the proponents of it for putting it before the House. The Fianna Fáil Party supports the notion of mediation services, as set out in the motion. The only problem we would have is that we would criticise the Government's delay in the publication of the mediation Bill, the general scheme of which was agreed in 2012. The proper codification of mediation...

Seanad: Mediation Services: Motion (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: Often having gone through this Chamber, a Bill goes into the other House much improved, having been widely debated. I believe there is a lot more wisdom in this Chamber and more time for debate than sometimes there is in the other House. Forgive me for saying that but it is a matter of record. Moreover, many of my colleagues, who are much wiser than me, already have said this.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I have been a member of the Oireachtas for almost 20 years. The key issue is that if we were misled by agreeing to terms of reference that are tainted, then the matter will not end here. I warn this Chamber that we are going down a road that will end up in the courts, and I certainly want a debate. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, should be invited to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: The terms of reference cannot be dictated by a former Minister for Justice and Equality. That is an appalling breach of etiquette in this House and an appalling breach of democracy, and it goes to the cornerstone of what we stand for.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I am proposing an amendment that the Minister come to the House as a matter of urgency today to set out where we stand in regard to this issue. Otherwise, this will be challenged, and I will not stand over a situation in which we calmly and in good faith acquiesce to the terms of reference and are not told the full truth in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I propose that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Francis Fitzgerald, come before the House today to explain the circumstances that have emerged since we agreed to the terms of reference last week, which I think are appalling, and whether there is any truth to them.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I raise an issue that goes to the heart and fundamental cornerstone of the Oireachtas and of democracy. Last week the House acquiesced in and agreed to the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the Guerin report. We did this in good faith, but subsequently some startling revelations have come to light, mainly from the other House, that are troubling. If there is truth in these...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. While I am somewhat reassured by what she has said, a commitment was given by the HSE to provide certain services at Bantry General Hospital in the reconfiguration programme. Those services were withdrawn, unilaterally, without consultation with the general practitioners and parents concerned. Thankfully, the number of children with diabetes...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (4 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I am glad to see that a Minister of State from Cork is present. She probably will understand the difficulties in managing west Cork as well as anyone. In the motion I tabled, I have set out how I have been contacted by a number of people expressing concern at the reduction in paediatric outpatient clinics in Bantry General Hospital. I believe that up to three years ago, there was a monthly...

Seanad: Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Second Stage (3 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, to the House. I am speaking on behalf of my colleague, Senator Darragh O'Brien, who is our spokesman on finance. I confess that sometimes I am an expert on lots of things and master of none but I will bow to my superior experts such as Senators Barrett and Michael D'Arcy. I will make a brief contribution on behalf of Senator Darragh O'Brien...

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (3 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I call Senator Moloney. The Members who tabled the amendment get priority in the debate. Senator Power can contribute after Senator Moloney.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (3 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: He has surprised Senator Zappone.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (3 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: I call Senator Mooney, one of the signatories to the amendment.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (3 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister is getting much praise, so I will let him respond.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (3 Feb 2015)

Denis O'Donovan: At least until Report Stage.