Results 1,681-1,700 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes, only one county.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We were fined by Europe because of the incompetence of the Minister and his officials.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I read the judgment and it was very clear. Extend the deadline.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Tell the truth.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Money is being taken out.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Privatisation of a natural resource.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Centralisation.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I was in school at the time.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber to discuss a topic that is generally under-discussed in the Houses of the Oireachtas, namely, the roles of local government, councillors and councils. Local authorities certainly comprise the point of democracy closest to the citizen. While local government was funded from a central resource for many years, it was such that the functions of local...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It will cost us more.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to be associated with the vote of sympathy for the late Minister of State, Shane McEntee. As Fianna Fáil's spokesman on agriculture, I developed a close working relationship with him. He was more than courteous and at all times acknowledged issues that were brought to his attention. He was one of the gentlemen of politics and I was very saddened to learn of his passing. I...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: In my view, this amendment is very relevant. As I see it, there are two issues involved here. People with mortgages do not own their homes because the banks have a hold over them. The level of a person's mortgage generally reflects his or her wealth. In general, those who have high mortgages are first-time buyers. A person who sells his or her home for ¤200,000 and has a mortgage on it...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This amendment cuts straight to the faults of the Bill. We are living in an era of a distorted property market and no one really knows the value of property. The value of property should be based on the ability of an individual to buy it. However, there are few buyers because the banks are not lending and no one is in a financial position to purchase property. Recently, a four-bedroom...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I have the utmost respect for the Minister, Deputy Noonan, who is a reforming Minister and works very hard at his job, but I believe he is wrong on this issue. It is unfair to blame Sinn Féin or Fianna Fáil. It is unfair to blame Government Members who may also have issues in this regard. I can speak only on behalf of Fianna Fáil. We put forward a fully costed alternative budget that...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The question of alternatives was raised.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I agree and I do not intend to dwell on this. However, when accusations are thrown we should have an opportunity to respond.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The alternatives proposed by Fianna Fáil did not include a property tax and still addressed the ¤3.5 billion adjustment. Has the Minister had discussions with the troika on the property tax?

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This will absolutely crucify home owners throughout the country.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The income was different.