Results 1,321-1,340 of 3,476 for speaker:Charlie O'Connor

Employment Law Compliance Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: It is a good line.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this debate. I disagree with Deputy Fahey in that I could do with more than five minutes to speak. However, I will do my best. I am glad my colleague, Deputy Rabbitte is present because it reminds me that I am sure both of us would prefer to be in Tallaght, where a jobs fair is opening in the library.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: The opening of the fine new civic centre is due to take place at noon.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: I do not know whether Deputy Rabbitte will be released to attend. If he is, he might give my apologies because I am not being let out. I am trying to be positive about today because life goes on. It has been a very gloomy week in the Dáil as I said last night. At the same time we need to be upbeat about some aspects and we need to keep going about our business. If it is difficult being...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 169: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will furnish a report from the Office of Public Works on plans to provide temporary office accommodation for Tallaght Garda station, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3743/09]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 180: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress on the development of the new primary medical care team centre at Tallaght town centre, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3687/09]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when provisions of the Health Act 2008 will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3744/09]

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 210: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his efforts to promote volunteerism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3740/09]

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 237: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the supports available to those wishing to avail of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3741/09]

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 238: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide additional supports to South Dublin County Council to allow further action to be taken in respect of the problem of graffiti in Tallaght and the wider Dublin South-West constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3742/09]

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this important debate. It is good to see a Minister of State present with an appropriate surname for this particular debate — the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power. I commend Deputy Coveney for tabling the motion. It is interesting, however, that the Opposition is not quite united on all the issues concerned.

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: Are you going to protect me, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, or will I protect myself?

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: I welcome the opportunity to be involved in this debate, because it gets me out of my office. I have been in the office all day and have been taking many calls on this issue.

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: I often say that I bring my life experiences to my politics. I have plenty of gloomy days in my life. I lost my job three different times. The Opposition will say that will happen again.

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: It has happened to me and I know what it is like. I will keep working as long as I am here, and it is important I do that. When one turns on the television, there is more gloomy news. As a distraction, I turned on Sky News, to ensure the rest of the world is falling apart also, and there was more gloom.

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: Deputy Beverley Flynn made a very interesting point and I hope people will pick up what she said. In her excellent contribution, she made the point that a gloom and doom response is fair enough, but people looking at us hope that our leaders and every politician will, at least, show some confidence and a way forward. I do not agree with everything that has been said and done. I believe...

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: I am speaking about the motion. By the way, I am not as experienced as some of the Opposition. I base the way I contribute on what I hear over on that side from people talking about everything.

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: I suspect that if I was out of order, the Chair would have picked up on that by now.

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Charlie O'Connor: My jury is out on the issue with regard to ESB employees. ESB employees have been on to me to make their case. I do not know whether they rang Fine Gael spokespersons, but they make a strong case for themselves. It is important we hear their case. As vice-chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs, which is chaired by Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae, I have chaired a...