Results 301-320 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We are being reasonable by giving notice at this juncture.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I also support the call for an urgent debate on the Cloyne report next Tuesday. It is an urgent matter that affects many vulnerable individuals in society. We should hold such a debate next week to show the true value and potential of this House in discussing important matters. I support Senator Thomas Byrne's call for an urgent debate on the social welfare cuts to be introduced by the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I rise today to outline my disgust at the fact that the French boat Dignité was attacked by Israeli commandos at 12 noon, Irish time, today. I hope that all parties support the attempts by the leader of the Seanad on this side to table a cross-party motion condemning the military action of the Israeli commandos, in order to emphasise Ireland's renewed stance in our attempt to bring about...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: A Fine Gael fund-raiser.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Do I take it that we ask one question at a time?

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: There are many questions to be asked. The format we are adopting is a good one. I thank the Minister for affording us the opportunity to ask questions in this format. I will be as brief as I can. The Common Agricultural Policy is crucially important post-2013 to Irish agriculture. The first goal that must be achieved is a guarantee that the envelope will be at least as great as the...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support Senator Michael Comiskey. I refer to the gorse fires in west Donegal and other areas earlier this year. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, visited the areas and conceded that if sheep had been on the hills, the grass would not have been as attractive for fires. Traditionally, farmers who were asked to destock from the hills were paid €240 per hectare under REPS. They are...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Food Harvest 2020 report was launched a year ago yesterday by the former Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith. It is a blueprint for driving the agri-food and agriculture sector. How often does the high level implementation group established then meet and what recommendations made in the report have been implemented?

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: On the same issue of food supply and food demand, one of the largest companies in the country is Coca-Cola, based in Ballina, which buys in all its caramelised sugar product from France. None of it is manufactured in this country. There must be a joined-up approach, under the leadership of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and including Enterprise Ireland and all the...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I am pleased the Minister is present to touch on this issue because the proposals of the Commissioner last week will do nothing for Irish fishermen. The Irish stance needs to be very strong. If the Minister is strong in his negotiations and wears the green jersey, we will support him every step of the way from this side of the House. I will refer to the Common Fisheries Policy review and...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is the Faroe Islands and Iceland. Iceland is negotiating with the European Union and Commission with regard to accession and supports. Trade sanctions must be brought to bear on both Iceland and the Faroe Islands. I hope the Minister has some light to shed on this. I am glad Councillor David Alcorn, who is from the coastal community, is present today to hear this debate and the...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I have touched on three or four questions and have two final ones. Will the Minister consider replacing the criminal sanctions system applicable to minor fisheries offences with an administrative sanctions system to bring Ireland into line with other European countries? Will he consider reopening salmon fishing on a restricted, managed basis for island fishermen on a pilot basis over 24...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: As the Fianna Fáil Party spokesperson on agriculture, fisheries and food, I acknowledge the constructive nature of this discussion. I thank the Minister and Leader. We may have political and policy differences but this has been a constructive day. I welcome the Minister's commitment on the key issues we raised about the review of the Common Fisheries Policy, which is crucial to the...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Second Stage (26 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, who is present to take this important legislation which ties up many anomalies that may be contained within various pieces of legislation which come under his remit. While we on this side of the House always welcome any legislation that aims to serve the protection of our environment, there are a number of areas...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Second Stage (26 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I hope the Minister will see fit to arrange for a consultation meeting to be available to a farmer before such a letter is issued, as the detail tends to bamboozle the farmer who does not know the consequences of such reclassification. It is important that would happen. It may involve a minor cost to the State, but such a change involves a massive cost to landowners in terms of the land...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil] : Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the Minister's clarification.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil] : Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We will press our amendment. We agree with the Minister that the plastic bag levy is important and it is a significant environmental provision. It is a pillar in trying to bring about the results which have been evident in recent years. It was noted on Second Stage that we do not see as many plastic bags hurled into ditches and dumped because people are more cautious when they are paying...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil] : Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Like other Senators on this side of the House, I was flabbergasted by Senator Keane's remarks on our position. The Sinn Féin Members are colleagues on this side of the House and have every right to table amendments on legislation, as does any Senator.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil] : Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Jul 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: If the House does not prove its usefulness, we will not be doing ourselves any justice. We should not rubber-stamp measures taken in the Dáil. Perhaps that was how it used to be and we all had some responsibility but, if we are to ensure the Chamber has a purpose prior to a referendum, we must move out of the cosy position to which we were used in years gone by. I meant to raise a point...