Results 1-20 of 78 for speaker:Francis O'Brien

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2011)

Francis O'Brien: I support Senator Wilson's call for a debate on the Quinn saga which has gone on for the past 12 months. Over the past 38 years, Seán Quinn did not set out to do anyone wrong or cost the taxpayer any money. He started off delivering sand and gravel and grew his business from there. In a recent television interview, he told the country he had made mistakes and his judgment was wrong. Will...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2011)

Francis O'Brien: I congratulate the new Leader of the Government parties here in the House, Senator Cummins, a great friend of mine for many years. The Cathaoirleach, Senator Wilson and himself have accommodated me on many occasions over the years-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2011)

Francis O'Brien: -----and I am very grateful for that. I ask the Leader to raise with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the matter of the Department office in Ballybay, known as the DV office, which has a great cloud hanging over it. I would appreciate if the Leader would ask the Minister to do everything in his power to ensure this office is maintained to provide the service for the people...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2011)

Francis O'Brien: I am sorry but the Cathaoirleach will have to give me a little more time. It is my last day in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2011)

Francis O'Brien: I want to say a sincere "Thank you" to Deirdre, Jody and all the staff of the Seanad Office, all the staff of the Oireachtas including the ushers, the Superintendent, the Captain of the Guard, catering staff and all the staff associated with this House over the last 22 years. I offer sincere thanks to the Cathaoirleach, previous Cathaoirligh and all the colleagues with whom I have served in...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (8 Mar 2011)

Francis O'Brien: I wish to join with previous speakers in expressing sympathy to the extended family of the late Willie Farrell, including his children Seamus, Liam and Helen. I knew Willie Farrell for a good number of years and served with him in this House from 1989 to 2002 when he retired. His contribution to public life was wonderful and spanned 35 years. He served the people of Sligo, and of this...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (26 Jan 2011)

Francis O'Brien: I wish to express my sympathy with the family of the late Séamus Dolan. Séamus Dolan was a gentleman and while I did not serve with him, I knew him for many years. He was a personal friend whose company I always enjoyed. I always enjoyed meeting Séamus, Bríd and members of his family because there always was good humour and crack and of course Fianna Fáil always was at the heart of the...

Seanad: Climate Change Response Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2011)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe. I oppose the passage of the Climate Change Response Bill at this stage because I am convinced the targets set for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are excessive and will damage the competitiveness of Irish agriculture and the entire agrifood sector. Sufficient thought has not been applied to how the provisions of the Bill will affect...

Seanad: Tributes to Member of Staff (2 Dec 2010)

Francis O'Brien: I join in all the good wishes that have been paid to Shay Byrne today, all richly deserved. When I was first elected to this House, I saw nothing but kindness and goodness in Shay Byrne. He helped with whatever one would ask him for, as testified many times this morning in regard to all the ushers and staff of this House. They are second to none. I join also in the good wishes expressed...

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (17 Nov 2010)

Francis O'Brien: I wish to express my deepest sympathy to Mary and to Kieran's four daughters, son, brothers and sisters and to his dear mother, Delia, whom he loved. He was always delighted to visit her every Tuesday morning and to have a cup of tea and talk about the goings on in the country and in the wider community outside County Laois. Kieran was a good man. He was a good family man and very good...

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (17 Nov 2010)

Francis O'Brien: You are dead right there, a Chathaoirligh. As Senator O'Donovan said, we should think of Kieran as good humoured, good fun and a real friend. May he rest in peace. God bless his family and I wish them all well in the years to come.

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2010)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I agree with the previous speaker as regards the good job he has been doing so far in the negotiations. The outcome of the coming negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013 will have far-reaching effects for Irish farmers, agriculture and the overall economy. The Irish economy is more dependent on a successful...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (14 Jul 2010)

Francis O'Brien: I join in the tributes to the late Joe Doyle and express my deepest sympathy to his wife, Peggy, and family. I knew Joe very well. As has been said, he sat at the corner of the front row from 1997 to 2002. I knew him when he was in the Dáil and always admired him, as he was a decent and honourable man. May he rest in peace.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Jun 2010)

Francis O'Brien: I join in the many tributes which have been paid to the late Peter Callanan. To his wife Sheila, his four sons and two daughters and other members of his family I offer my sincere sympathy. Peter had great qualities. First, he was a great farmer. I do not want to repeat too much of what has been said, but he had a wonderful knowledge of farming and other matters far beyond farming. Peter...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister. I am delighted to see him in good form and jovial mood, as he has been under a lot of pressure in the past few weeks. I welcome the opportunity to debate this important issue in the House today. In the Treaty of Rome the main objectives for the Common Agricultural Policy were to increase agriculture production, ensure a fair standard of living for farmers and those...

Seanad: Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2009: Motion for Earlier Signature (17 Dec 2009)

Francis O'Brien: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Francis O'Brien: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tony Killeen, with this very important legislation. I support this Bill and the need to amend the Forestry Act 1988 to increase the statutory borrowing limit. Section 1 of the proposed Bill provides for an increase in Coillte Teoranta's statutory borrowing limit from £80 million, or approximately €101.5 million, to €400 million. The existing...

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Francis O'Brien: I, too, welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, to the House to hear statements on farming. As the Minister stated at the outset of his contribution, it is timely we are having this debate. While I do not wish to be negative towards Senator Prendergast I was not happy to hear her run down the Government in terms of its support for agriculture and farming in general. Fianna Fáil and...

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Francis O'Brien: In terms of negatives, I, too, am disappointed the REP scheme has been suspended. It is hoped the Minister and Minister of State will reinstate it in 2010.

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Francis O'Brien: No, but the amounts involved have been reduced. I would like this scheme reinstated in its entirety as it is one of the best schemes available to farmers. It has greatly improved the countryside as farmers must spend the money on the land and their farms rather than put it into their back pockets and so on. As I have often stated, there is also a spin-off from this scheme in terms of the...