Results 501-520 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Budget 2017: Statements (11 Oct 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I will gladly debate the point.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Do not celebrate too much.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to raise a few points before the budget announcement next week. There are many competing priorities and everyone, including economists and lobbyists, will have different opinions. One area that was referred to today should be the first port of call for attention in next week's budget, namely, people with disabilities. Senators John Dolan and Mark Daly raised the issue. We heard...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (5 Oct 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister for taking time to come to the House. He has a busy schedule as the budget approaches; therefore, I appreciate the effort he has made to come to the House to respond directly to the issue I raise. Councillor Michael O'Brien of Westmeath County Council has made an excellent proposal that a free travel scheme be introduced for third level students attending college....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (5 Oct 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister and acknowledge that the third level education sector does not come within the realm of his Department. When I was submitting this matter for debate today, I initially contacted the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Officials within that Department advised that the matter was more appropriate to the Department of Social Protection. However, I appreciate, and...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Senator Paul Daly referred to the difficulties being experienced by tillage farmers across the country. I support the call for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to intervene in the ongoing crisis faced this year by farmers. I support Senator Paudie Coffey's call for the Minister for Health to come to the House to talk about hospital groupings and funding for the hospital...

Seanad: Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement: Motion (5 Oct 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Senators for tabling this important motion. The issue crosses over between the public and private, the vested interest and the public interest and, therefore, we must discuss the matter. I have some knowledge of the CETA agreement having read about the subject and also from what I observed in Canada as my wife is Canadian. I know that prior to the last general election in Canada...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. This issue relates to the home choice loan scheme. The scheme was established in late 2008 or 2009 and was funded by the Exchequer to the tune of €500 million initially. However, less than €4 million worth of loans have been approved by the home choice loan programme since its inception. As I understand it, only 21 loan approvals...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the Minister of State. The figures, which are shocking, were given in a parliamentary reply. I agree with much of what the Minister of State said, but his reply obviously comes from the departmental officials and is not imaginative. The scheme is worth €500 million, but less than 0.8% of that money has been given out in mortgage loans at a time when people are looking for...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I did not say that.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I will provide the Minister of State with plenty of ideas.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I offered a few today. One was on marketing the product. That was No. 1.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I wish to add to the comments on the Garda Representative Association's decision to instigate four days of strike action in November due to the fact that their pay demands have not been met. This is a serious development and one that goes to the core of every community in the country which requires a Garda presence. As such, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality must intervene.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is absolutely different and no comparison can be made between our emergency response teams, whether firefighters, ambulance personnel or gardaí, and other public sector workers. It is unfair to do so because they are our first line of protection when required. I ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to intervene. There is no trade union to represent...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Senator was not listening.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: They have to be invited in.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: They must be invited by the Minister.

Seanad: Economic Growth: Motion (28 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on the motion, which is poignant given the ongoing dispute with Dublin Bus and its workers. As issues have developed and emerged, the motion has been superseded by negotiations taking place this week, and we hope they prove fruitful. Much has been said during the debate, and I do not want to repeat it. Public sector workers are among the best...

Seanad: Economic Growth: Motion (28 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It should not happen. There is no economic justification for it. There are questions Dublin Bus management must answer, and it has not done so. An economic analysis carried out by the NTA in 2015 on Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann found satisfactory results. I am not sure what "satisfactory" means. If we are providing €100 million of taxpayers' money to Dublin Bus and the economic...

Seanad: Economic Growth: Motion (28 Sep 2016)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is obviously the Labour Party or Sinn Féin trying to pander to unions and win back some of their support.