Results 761-780 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill
- Seanad: Private Rental Sector: Motion (11 Feb 2015)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: To continue on the last point raised by Senator Moloney, this is an issue that affects many people, particularly where there are marital break-ups and financial institutions involved, or where people are applying for social housing and are deemed ineligible by councils even though they do not have a property, simply because their name is on a marriage certificate. It is something that should...
- Seanad: Universities (Development and Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 Jan 2015)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support the tremendous work done by Senator Barrett in looking at our model of third level and fourth level education, and coming up with an innovative way to fund it - even though the Bill does not deal directly with it - and providing autonomy. To reinforce Senator Colm Burke's last point, autonomy is important in that researchers seek to provide funding to universities and particularly...
- Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: It would do a better job of it.
- Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: I second the motion. During his contribution, Senator MacSharry outlined the debacle which has transpired from the fallout of Irish Water. He identified the money which has been spent and effectively wasted, and which will be wasted over the next four years. If the Government were to step back from where it is at the moment with a clean sheet, I do not think it would do what it has done....
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Government is reducing the investment-----
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: There is no new money for infrastructure.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Government cut the funding by half.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: This is an important amendment. The role of the Comptroller and Auditor General is central to achieving value for money and providing adequate oversight of performance, stewardship and accountability in all organisations where public money is used. As public money is being used by Irish Water, the company should come under the full scrutiny of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Anything...
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: Senator Gilroy was a member one time himself.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: What?
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: I did not hear that.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the amendment because it makes sense. Sinn Féin wants to widen the membership of the forum because it wants people in different income brackets to be represented and to have a wide church of opinion on the forum, whether specialised or from various income brackets which is a wise move. Such direction should be given to the Minister given the history of the debacle over Irish...
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: If we are serious about a forum then it needs to be objective and independent but the forum being established is neither.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: Section 7 mentions that the Minister can appoint a chairman to the forum which is wrong. Before the last election the Labour Party and Fine Gael said they would end cronyism and quangos. Now they are establishing Irish Water and will put at the head of the forum someone who will be appointed by the Minister of the day which is wrong. That is the politics of the past from which we are...
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: The legislation is very specific about the membership of the forum. First, one must be a customer of Irish Water which means one must be able to pay. What about individuals who are not in a position, through no fault of their own, to pay for a water service? There are individuals who will not pay even though they can afford to do so. However, there are individuals who genuinely cannot...
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: Last Friday night we spoke at length and made very valid points here. Today we have listened to Senators who were not present for most of the debate on Friday night. They came in here and accused us of filibustering.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: We researched the material that we debated.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: We researched it ourselves and spent time doing so.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: If we are not being listened to on behalf of the people then surely the Government is only using a forum as an opportunistic approach and to be seen to be listening.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)
Brian Ó Domhnaill: This is all it is. They want to be seen to be listening and this is a political forum.