Results 721-740 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (9 Jun 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I accept that but I do not believe that we, as a committee, should reflect or comment upon public policy on the basis of transportation issues. However, I thank Mr. Ryan for his explanation.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I strongly support what my colleagues have said in regard to the Aer Lingus debacle. Without going into the specifics, this House is being disrespected today by the Government in not allowing for a debate prior to a decision being taken in the other House. We are dealing with a matter which is being driven by vested interests at the expense of the public interest.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We are not being given the opportunity here, as public representatives, to debate an issue of national significance and importance ahead of a decision being taken. I know it may not be at the discretion of the Leader and he may be forced into a situation by the Government. However, I would ask him to stand strong and represent the Seanad, not accept the push which is coming from the...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Statements (28 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Statements (28 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to start on the last point made by Senator Ivana Bacik. The world is now a smaller place and more people are travelling by aircraft. Aer Lingus profits in the company were up by €71 million in 2014, some 9% on the previous year. In its own right, Aer Lingus is growing exponentially year on year. Much has been said on this issue. I am amazed that the Labour Party, a party...

Seanad: Children (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (28 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to comment briefly on amendment No. 19. I thank the Minister for accepting the broad thrust of the amendment tabled by my colleague, Senator Leyden. The Minister indicated he would seek the advice of the Attorney General. Is it fair to assume that if the advice from the Attorney General is favourable to the amendment, the Government would bring forward an amendment on Report Stage?

Seanad: Children (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (28 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 19: In page 8, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following:“(c) in subsection (8), by inserting “best” between “where it is in the” and “interests of the child”,”.

Seanad: Children (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (28 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 47: In page 24, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following:“(2A) Where an inquiry is held under subsection (1) the child shall be provided with an opportunity to be heard and to respond to any allegation of disciplinary breach orally or in writing.”.This amendment has been put forward by my colleague Senator Leyden and my Sinn Féin colleagues....

Seanad: Children (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (28 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I agree with Senator van Turnhout that the Minister's comments are reassuring. The child's story must be heard. I accept and welcome the Minister's commitment to the House that this will be dealt with through regulation. Indeed, it may be more appropriate to deal with it in that way. It is important to underpin the rights and voice of the child in any dialogue or inquiry situation. I...

Seanad: Children (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (28 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support the points made by Senator Cullinane in setting out the rationale for this amendment. I look forward to the Minister's response.

Seanad: Springboard Programme: Motion (27 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. One could not really argue with anything in this evening's motion because, to be fair, the Springboard programme has been a good one and has facilitated participation among young people to gain educational advantage which leads to job opportunities. No argument could be made on the merits or otherwise of Springboard. It is an excellent...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I call on the Deputy Leader to facilitate a debate on social housing and the programme being advanced by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly. There are currently approximately 90,000 persons waiting for social housing within the State. In my county, the submissions which have been sent back by local authorities to the Department show that there are...

Seanad: Cultural Institutions: Motion (13 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire fosta le linn an díospóireacht seo ar chúrsaí cultúrtha. Tá sé i bhfad níos leithne ná sin. Táimid ag caint faoi institiúidí cultúrtha ach tá gach gné de shaol na hÉireann fite fuaite leis an gcultúr, anseo i mBaile Cliath agus ar fud na tíre, na Gaeltachtaí ina...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We had a good debate last night with the Minister of State at the Department of Finance on the spring economic statement. I reiterate the call I made yesterday to the Leader for a more comprehensive debate not just on quarterly economic statements but also on how the country will proceed in the next five to ten years and how any excess money will be spent. It has been announced that there...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is wrong. The morale of public servants is at an all-time low and a pay increase of 2% or 3% will not resolve that issue. There will have to be meaningful reforms to include scorecard systems whereby every individual plays a role in ensuring the future of public service organisations. When rolled out originally in the 1980s in Sheffield by the NHS, it was called the balanced scorecard...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: In Ireland the only input is made from the top. Other public servants have no input; they are asked to follow orders, even though those orders have not been properly scrutinised. Public servants lower down the chain know that things are not being done right. Politicians talk about reform as if it was something new, but there has been no actual reform. A best practice model is not being...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Fine Gael is agreeing with the Labour Party.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I was taken aback by the Minister of State's defensive response. If he is right, why is he so defensive on this issue? Fianna Fáil did not submit an amendment on the composition of the board because we were given an assurance that the Minister of State would seek advice. However, we do not agree with the advice.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Some of the agencies to which the other legislation refers manage huge sums of the taxpayer's money. The Minister of State indicated that the advice was provided by the draftsmen in the Attorney General's office. Was advice sought from the Attorney General rather than a draftsman or other official and, if so, did she provide a written response? Making deals between banks and people who owe...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: As legislators, we cannot say on the one hand that we want people to do deals with banks and, on the other, say that because people did a deal with the bank, we will exclude them from civic responsibilities. The Government cannot have it both ways and that is our point. If there is no change on this issue, as a point of principle we will vote against the legislation because we believe it is...