Results 741-760 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I acknowledge the good debate we had yesterday evening on Seanad reform and the work done by the group headed by Dr. Maurice Manning. I hope that some of the group's recommendations will see the light of day and that we will have an opportunity to discuss proposals in detail as they are brought forward. I also acknowledge the Leader's efforts to facilitate debates on a variety of topics,...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This debate gives us an opportunity to reflect on the Government's recent announcement, the spring statement, which focused on expenditure and income from a public finance point of view. I apologise at the outset for being a little late. I was at another meeting. Earlier, we had a discussion in the House and I spoke to the Leader on the need...

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is a fact and it was set out in a report written by Dr. Michael Collins of NERI. This well-researched document, which I have read, was dismissed last week in the House by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton. I went back and researched the document again. It is a factual report based on actual facts from the Central Statistics Office. I do not know...

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: If Fine Gael ever has it, it will spend it.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Labour Party wanted to spend more.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It was shouting to spend more.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Senator Gilroy wants to go backwards but we should stick to what we are at and look at what the Minister of State is trying to do. We are all here to try to work together. If the Senator wants to play politics, we have -----

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Labour Party wanted more spent.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Senator's party was looking for more boom.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Senator cannot have it both ways.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: A Leas-Chathaoirligh, if there is insufficient time to allow Senator Jim Walsh to speak, I propose to share my time with him.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank Dr. Maurice Manning and the members of the team for coming to the House this afternoon. They have done a very important piece of work. The real debate about politics in this country and right across Europe is about the hollowing out of the state. Various academic arguments have been presented both in this country, England and right across Europe on the hollowing out. What does...

Seanad: Ash Dieback Disease: Statements (29 Apr 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his comprehensive analysis of the ash dieback situation. His predecessor, the late Shane McEntee, initiated most of the Department's work in this regard. I remember him talking in this House about ash dieback in 2012 when it first hit the headlines. He had huge conviction in tackling it and I am glad to see the current Minister of State is...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Senator Wilson has raised an issue which is of importance not only to Sport Ireland, but to society in general. If it is not recognised, I would argue that it might reflect poorly on the Government. At a time when mortgage arrears, negative equity and personal debt issues are affecting every parish and GAA club and their members, people are endeavouring to survive. Many very good people...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Motion (29 Apr 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I am glad the Minister, Deputy Bruton, is here for this debate which is central to the country's economic recovery. Much has been said by many speakers on all sides of the House about where we are at in the country at present, and while recovery is being driven partly by some of the policies of the Government, much of it is being driven by people willing to...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Motion (29 Apr 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I apologise. It is not where we should be going.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (23 Apr 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Senator Barrett has brought forward two very worthwhile amendments. One of the burning questions facing councillors in every local authority is how to budget for road maintenance, fixing of potholes and so on. In looking at the overarching issue of what causes our road infrastructure to break down, Senator Barrett is posing a key question and one to which we should have the answer. If...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (23 Apr 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is very fair and I agree.

Seanad: Establishment of Electoral Commission: Motion (4 Mar 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I agree with Senator Brennan. He has touched on valid points about voter participation and the electoral registers, which affect democracy and are the responsibility of an electoral commission. It is good to have this discussion. Between elections is the best time to reflect on the institutions of the State and how elections are run, whether by Departments or whether they can be...