Results 801-820 of 1,677 for speaker:Ned O'Sullivan

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: I broadly welcome the budget.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: Absolutely. Like Senator Murnane O'Connor, I am disappointed immediate effect is not being given to the social welfare increases. The litmus test of a society or democracy is how it treats its old age pensioners in particular. Whatever boom and doom occurred and whatever destruction took place in the economy, it certainly was not the fault of old age pensioners. They have no options and...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: -----for as long as the talks went on, for fear that the finger would be pointed at them and they would eventually have to step up to the mark and do something responsible-----

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: -----which they will never do, on either side of the Border.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: Deputy Micheál Martin deserves great credit for-----

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: -----the increases in education. He made that a red line issue and made it clear that our party considered education to be vital. We must be realistic. The economy has recovered immensely and we will give credit where it is due.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: The economy is the economy.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: We face a huge problem with Brexit but if we all act responsibly, if everybody puts their shoulder to the wheel and if people will stop sitting on the fence and throwing abuse all of the time, we will make progress. I welcome, and draw the Leader's attention to, the wonderful announcement by Shannon Airport today regarding the new service to Shannon by SAS, Scandinavian Airlines. SAS has...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: Leprechaun economics.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: Deputy Micheál Martin did.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: It is quite normal in the run up to budgets that people posture and take up various positions. Generally around this time there tends to be a fairly concerted attack on the public service, and we see it with every budget, but I wonder whether it is more orchestrated this time. I am not quite sure where it is coming from but we seem to have some outrageous statements being made just as the...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: I have been called lots of things but it is a long time since I was called "Edward".

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: I was listening to Senator Mullen on the television before I came in. I have to say he has levelled some very serious criticism at RTE. It behoves RTE to take that criticism seriously and to come up with an answer to it. If the Senator is right, and I suspect he is, RTE has a case to answer. Senator Mullen has been involved in this issue previously and undoubtedly has a strong position on...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: It seems to me that the British are planning a very slow Brexit. I do not think that is on.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: Yes, I would be privileged to second the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: One of the advantages of getting old is that one qualifies for free travel. I look forward to collecting my free travel pass next November. Free travel is there for everyone and is a legacy of Charlie Haughey, who was far-thinking on this issue. It has been brought to my attention that people who carry an Irish passport but do not reside in the country permanently do not qualify for the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: I support Senator Rónán Mullen in his call for the Minister to address the shortage of chefs in the country. It is a matter I had planned to raise here last week, but I did not get around to it. It is well known that there is a serious shortage in the hospitality sector and it is not just in my own county of Kerry. I have picked it up around the place. Chefs are reportedly very...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: That is his own business. I know they do not pay VAT on it anyway. It should be a level playing pitch. There are not many humanist celebrants in the country. There are probably fewer than one per county and some of them have to travel fairly good distances and travel expenses are also involved. Will the Leader address that matter with the Minister for Finance to see whether humanist...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: I try to be original.

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2016: Second Stage (13 Jul 2016)

Ned O'Sullivan: I welcome the Bill and commend Senator McDowell and the group which has brought it before us. I am not a cynical person. We have been here before several times and perhaps this might be the legislation that effects real reform of the Seanad. We are very fortunate to have an opportunity to discuss Seanad reform because had the Taoiseach in the last Administration his way, we would not be...