Results 23,121-23,140 of 26,795 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: I welcome the last comment made by the Minister, because essentially this is what we have been seeking for some time. It is a pity it was not done months ago. If it had been done and the Minister had such discussions with his Cabinet colleagues we might be in a very different position whereby the Minister would be bringing forward a Government amendment which established a...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: We support these amendments. It is a decent attempt at meeting the Government half way and trying to strike that balance between the plebiscite, which Sinn Féin believes is flawed, the inability of the Seanad to propose a constitutional amendment, and all of the amendments that have been ruled out of order. What is interesting about this amendment is that the Minister has said on a...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: I agree that the best way to do it would be in a straight vote of the people, but, unfortunately, we are not going to get this because the Minister has refused to hold a constitutional referendum on the issue. That is a clear contradiction of what he said in the past five hours. I wish the people will have a say, but, unfortunately, they will not if any future Government is minded to do so....

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: Yes, they also elect Senators which is obviously an important function, even though Senators should be elected directly by the people. I do not believe there is any contradiction in what the Minister and we are saying, other than about the hypothetical situation that may or may not arise. He believes it will never happen, but I believe it could potentially.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 7: In page 4, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “(b) a Resolution of each City and County Council is passed approving the alienation,”.This amendment adds a subsection to the so-called triple lock relating to the plebiscite. We propose that a resolution of each city and county council is passed approving the alienation. For many years the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: That is a surprise.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: I thought repetition was banned.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: That is the next amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: This is outrageous repetition.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: I will be supporting the amendment. In these amendments we are seeking to go as far as we possibly can in the absence of a commitment from the Government to have a constitutional referendum. Anything that strengthens the Bill is welcome and that is what this amendment does. A fair point is being made that the assets are separate from the shares. However, I wish to correct something the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: Absolutely. I want to correct something the Minister said earlier which is still relevant to this amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: I know it is. I want to respond to something the Minister said which is related to all of these amendments to the same section. They are all about the same issue.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: The more the Cathaoirleach interrupts the more he delays proceedings.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: I have respect for the Chair.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: Some Senators on the Government side obviously want to get out early and do not want any debate.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: Leaving that to one side, we are sticking to the issues. Perhaps we can at least make our contributions. I made a comment earlier that promises in whatever part of this Bill are not worth the paper they are written on. The Minister knows full well the point I am making that they can be undone. Whether it has to do with the assets in this or the previous amendment in respect of a...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: Or Spanish water, anyone?

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

David Cullinane: I am not going to be fooled by any three-card trick by this Minister or any other. What we should have and what the people demand is a constitutional referendum. It could easily happen if the political will was there. The Minister can make this happen and it is the only way we can guarantee that the people will decide. There is no other way. If the Minister or anybody else suggests...