Results 8,461-8,480 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the Minister to the House. As my colleague, Senator Byrne said, we support the Bill in principle but I support what Senator Sheahan said with regard to rural Senators. If the plan to abolish the Seanad had worked out for the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, we would be all wagging our tails and it would be a case of croppies lie down; we would just have to take our beating and walk...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: That is agreed. The Senators have four minutes each. I will be especially attentive to notify Senator Norris when his time is up, as he did not listen to me yesterday.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I am very accommodating, as Senator Norris knows.

Seanad: Visit of Chinese Delegation (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: Before asking the Minister to resume, I am sure Members of the House wish to join with me in welcoming the Chairman of the Shanghai Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, CPPCC, Mr. Wu Zhiming, and a delegation from the Shanghai CPPCC. They are more than welcome and on my own behalf and that of all my colleagues in Seanad Éireann, I extend a warm welcome to them, as well as...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, to the House and I call on him to proceed with the Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: Listening to Senator Martin Conway, one is left wondering what we as a society are at. I spoke last night on the Adjournment about efforts to prevent flooding in places like Skibbereen, Bandon, Clonakilty and Bantry. The same water seems to be a problem for people in Dublin, but sin ceist eile. Will the Leader agree to a debate, if not before Christmas then in the new year, on the issue of...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I will be brief. I thank the Minister of State. I accept that the council and the OPW are probably doing the best they can. I will continue to hold a watching brief in this regard, even if I will not be able to keep as close an eye on the matter as the Skibbereen flood committee and the others who are working to allay these difficulties. The Minister of State can relay that message to his...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the Minister for coming into the House to take this Adjournment matter. It gives me no pleasure to raise this matter again and it is with a heavy heart and great regret that I do so. This is the third or fourth time I have raised this issue. One incident of flooding that affected the middle-eastern region, including Skibbereen, occurred when my party was in power. As the Minister...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I am not making an issue of that at all. The social welfare system is a shambles. Perhaps some official would note my query on what seems to be a policy emanating from the Department or the Minister to rural social welfare office that they delay, defer and if possible delete claimants? I am in public life for almost 30 years and I am appalled at the delays in the system, the application...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: Ten years ago we did not have a problem with social welfare because there was nearly full employment. I know we operate within financial constraints, but the ordinary citizen must be afforded respect when he or she applies for social welfare. The attitude now seems to be, "if in doubt, cut them out". I am aware that people now go to the Society of St Vincent de Paul, and go for...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: It was from the heart.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. While the senior Minister has left the Chamber, I wish to make a few points.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: That is not a problem and as a former Member of the House, the Minister of State is quite welcome.

Seanad: Fourteenth Report of the Committee of Selection: Motion (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: The Committee of Selection reports that it has discharged Senator Marie Moloney from membership of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs at her own request and has appointed Senator Aideen Hayden in substitution for her. I move: "That the report be laid before the Seanad."

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: We are moving on to the second group of speakers who will each have six minutes. The first speaker is Senator Clune.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: That leaves three minutes for Senator Quinn.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: There are 25 more speakers. I did advise the Senator.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: You each have five minutes. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Nov 2013)

Denis O'Donovan: I call Senator Mooney who has ten minutes. All party spokespersons have ten minutes, while all others will have six minutes.