Results 1,181-1,200 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wholeheartedly agree with Senator White, the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on enterprise in the Seanad. She has proven expertise in advancing business and creating jobs in the Irish economy down the years. We have to take that expertise and the qualities Senator White brings to this debate into account with regard to this section. This gets to the core of the Bill's objective. The...

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I know, but we can talk about it on the section.

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We can talk about it when discussing the section later. With regard to amendment No. 3, I seek clarification from the Minister. I am told by county enterprise boards that with the transfer of powers there are additional financial responsibilities for local authorities. The county enterprise board structure is currently 100% funded by the Government but powers will be transferred from the...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I agree with Senator Michael Comiskey. The full disadvantaged area payment was made to a percentage of farmers about ten days or two weeks ago. I have been following this up with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and understand a second run of disadvantaged area payments will be issued by the Department this Friday. Therefore, farmers can expect their payments in the early...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Government Reform (8 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I appreciate that the Minister of State is answering on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan. I disagree, however, with the fundamental approach being taken. The Department can dress it up however it likes, but the reality is that we are seeing a stripping of powers from local authority members at both town and county level. This is of particular concern in a context where Irish Water...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Government Reform (8 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I am asking the Minister of State to convey my concerns to the Minister and urge him to engage in a period of reflection.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Government Reform (8 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This Adjournment matter relates to the document Putting People First and the proposed legislation on local government reform which I understand will be before this House shortly, after its passage through Dáil Éireann. I refer to the workings of town councils throughout the country. The Government's proposals, covered in the Putting People First policy document, are to abolish all...

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The debate this evening has been very worthwhile. It was calm and dealt with the issue of reviving and reforming the Seanad, bringing about change and listening to what was discussed in the course of the campaign. Often in election and referendum campaigns, emotion can take over and reflection can turn into argument. A period of reflection on the future of democracy generally in this...

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Go raibh maith agat.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The referendum outcome underlines the importance of democracy in the country. People sometimes take for granted the views of the public, but we should never under-estimate its views or knowledge of our political institutions. The public indicated in its vote on Friday that it relished democracy, that it wanted more, not less, and that it wanted the Government and all institutions, including...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We need political courage at a time when the country is at a crossroads, not politicians jumping on the bandwagon of political opportunism and reacting to the manner in which polls-----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is not leadership; it is exploiting opportunity. If we are to turn the country around, we need leadership from the political classes, not populism.

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: In my contribution yesterday, I outlined the importance of the county enterprise board structure, the model, the work the boards have done since their establishment in 1993 and the opportunity that could be lost. Akin to what is happening in respect of this House, we should be looking at reforming, re-invigorating and re-energising the county enterprise board structure instead of abolishing...

Seanad: An Appreciation of the Life and Work of Seamus Heaney: Statements (3 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome Marie to the Seanad this afternoon. It is fitting that the House is paying tribute today to a man who will always be remembered as an Irish legend. Born in April 1939, shortly before the beginning of the Second World War, in a farmhouse known as Mossbawn between Castledawson and Toomebridge in County Derry, Seamus Heaney moved to Bellaghy in 1953 as a teenager. He came from...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Tomorrow, two referendums will be held in which the people will be asked to vote, the first of which affects this House. While it does not particularly affect those Senators present today or the 60 Members of Seanad Éireann, it affects future generations and it affects our democracy. For 800 years, we struggled to obtain independence. For 800 years, we did not have a defined role in...

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Tonight's response was pathetic. The Government is hiding behind the advice of the Attorney General. The Fine Gael and Labour parties made promises before the last general election that they would deal with this issue in Government, and now they are unwilling to do that. Retail Excellence Ireland, REI has outlined that 30,000 jobs are at risk, that means if those jobs are lost, it will...

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I respect the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, because he comes from a small business background and he understands the difficulties such businesses are facing. It is fair to say we are living in extremely difficult times. At a time when small business owners are experiencing significant difficulties, I find it somewhat ironic that we are...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I want to join others in condemning the comments made by the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon. During his term as a Senator, he used this House for his political advancement as a member of the Progressive Democrats, as an Independent and as a member of Fine Gael. Now that he has left this House and become a member of the Government, it appears he has started to engage in the lies that are...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes. Does the Leader agree with me that the three Senators who represent Sinn Féin, a party that claims this House is elitist, should resign their seats on Friday?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: If they believe elitism is represented in this House, how can they be part of it?