Results 161-180 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Local Authority Funding (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I appreciate the response. However, it is not very positive on this occasion. I understand where the Department is coming from on the matter. It is making the assumption that it has given a dispensation through the local authorities by allowing the total metering charge to be a maximum of 180% of the first meter, which is €350. This means that a person can get two meters for €630....

Seanad: Local Authority Funding (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I understand that under European legislation a dispensation was given for domestic users. We should go back to Europe and fight for our small farmers if possible.

Seanad: Local Authority Funding (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I will be saying to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, that we should do that.

Seanad: Local Authority Funding (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We need to look again at a situation where an elderly farmer of 85 on the minimum wage or less is being charged €350. Such people have no income. I ask the Minister of State to raise the matter again with the Minister, Deputy Gormley. We need to take this issue on and protect the most vulnerable people in our society at this time. I again thank the Minister of State for her response.

Seanad: Hospital Services. (29 Jan 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I raise the issue of the neurology service in the Health Service Executive north-west region. This is a matter of concern to MS Ireland, which is located in Donegal. MS Ireland brought the matter to my attention, as did other patients seeking appointments for this service in Letterkenny General Hospital and in Sligo General Hospital. There is one consultant neurologist for the HSE...

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support much of what was said by colleagues in regard to the work of the commission and its recommendations. The background to this constituency review was the indication in the most recent census figures of an increase in population of more than 320,000 from 2002 to 2006, giving an average of 25,541 voters for each of the 166 Dáil Deputies. None of us has a difficulty with the...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to share time with Senator Brady. I agree with the majority of what Senator Bradford had to say about the common responsibility we all share in the current economic situation. I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this important debate on the economy. It is the key issue on the doorsteps, and this is the right place to debate those issues. Jobs are being lost all over...

Seanad: Planning Issues (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I want to discuss the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's adopted Policy Statement on Development Management and Access to National Roads, which concerns both national primary and national secondary routes. I raise this issue due to the fact the planning guidelines as adopted by the Department do not differentiate between national primary and national secondary...

Seanad: Planning Issues (19 Feb 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I hope the Minister will look with favour on my proposal regarding planning approvals which were granted in 2004 to people, particularly young couples and members of the indigenous community, for one-off houses. Those planning approvals are due to expire this year. The applicants are finding it extremely difficult in the current climate to obtain a mortgage or financing to build the house...

Seanad: Planning Issues (19 Feb 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, for that favourable response and acknowledge his input in ensuring that young people across the country are given the opportunity of the extension they require. I appreciate fully that it is a matter for local authorities more than the Department but if local authorities are given the flexibility considered by the Minister, it will be a...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I want to raise a matter that has come to my attention in County Donegal, especially over the weekend. It concerns individuals from the North travelling across the Border once per week or month to collect social welfare payments. This is happening in Border counties, certainly in Donegal. Residents in areas such as Castlefin and Lifford in my constituency have pointed out that, in these...

Seanad: Development of the West: Statements (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a chur in iúl don Seanadóir Ó Dochartaigh agus déanaim comhghairdeas leis as an tuarascáil seo a tharraingt le chéile. Bhí mé ag léamh na tuarascála le cupla lá anuas, ach ní raibh deis agam í uilig a léamh. Aontaím le go leor de na pointí atá pléite inti agus creidim go bhfuil an Seanadóir ag iarraidh tuairimí pobail na ceantair sin a chur chun...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Haughey. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach as ucht deis a thabhairt dom an ábhar seo, a bhaineann le scoil náisiúnta i mo cheantar fhéin, a ardú ar an Athló. Tá thart ar 100 dalta ag freastal ar Scoil Chonaill Naofa i mBun Beag. Tá cúig múinteoir ranga sa scoil. Cé gur chuala an scoil le déanaí go...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I raised last week the issue of cross-Border social welfare fraud. It is an ongoing issue and it is happening again this week in County Donegal. I would like an update from the Leader on when we will have a debate on that issue — I hope it will be before the St. Patrick's Day recess. I referred here before the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers, IPAV, which continues to...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I do not agree with the cutting of sports funding — Members on the opposite side of the House raised that last week. We must examine participation levels in sport. Clearly, based on the figures, we are not achieving what other countries are achieving. While everybody wants to watch sport on television, that may not be the healthy option. We need a debate on this issue. We must also...

Seanad: Irish Language: Statements (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Is díospóireacht thábhachtach í seo maidir le cúrsaí Gaeilge faoi láthair agus faoi thodhchaí na Gaeilge, chan amháin don ghlúin seo ach dos na glúnta atá le teacht. Téann ceist na Gaeilge siar na blianta. Nuair a bhí go leor againn ag fás aníos bhíomar ag foghlaim na Gaeilge ar an scoil agus ag teacht abhaile áít a raibh an Ghaeilge ar fáil i go leor des na tithe, go...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to share time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome this debate, which presents us with a great opportunity to reflect on the issue of broadband, the progress that has been made and the work that must be done in the context of rolling out broadband services to every community in the country. When widely available, broadband provides an affordable, always-on service for businesses, schools and individual citizens. It is important...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I welcome the work that has been done to bring the scheme to fruition, especially in rural areas such as those in Donegal that did not have broadband. Why should someone in a city have the service available when someone in a rural area does not? Equality of provision is important. I welcome the steps taken by the Government to achieve that. In his address the Minister referred to the...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to make two final points. The Minister referred to the schools issue. I believe it is vital that steps are taken to provide broadband to all primary and secondary schools in the State because pupils need to be able to obtain information digitally. I know the Minister is addressing that issue. The second point relates to carrier lines. While not directly linked with broadband, it is...