Results 1,981-2,000 of 5,132 for speaker:Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The only I question I asked on the section was related to the expenses that would be incurred.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I move amendment No. 6: In page 7, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:"(2) The Minister shall, by order, enact a service level agreement within this Act no shorter than thirty years.".We discussed this issue on Second Stage and the Minister of State is aware of our opposition to the manner in which the Government is paving the way for potential future privatisation. We are...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I will reply to those comments, as I tabled this amendment and most of the amendments we have tabled have been ruled out of order. Will there be a review after two and seven years? Could the service level agreements be shortened if there was agreement among the group?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: That will happen if there is agreement.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Will the period remain 12 years?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: That would add greater fear to the point we are raising. For example, there will have been a general election by the time the second review occurs and a future Government might bring pressure to bear on the parties to the service level agreement to shorten it and, therefore, speed up the potential privatisation and transfer to Uisce Éireann. That might happen if a future Government was...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: We all agree we need better water services and to ensure the system is upgraded to address leakage levels. We also agree that it is important that if a large municipal centre in one local authority area can service a broader hinterland in another, then synergies between the two local authorities should be encouraged. That can be achieved through the service level agreement being in place. I...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: With all due respect, I see issues arising. We have seen issues with unions recently with the two Haddington Road agreements. Much pressure was put on the unions to accept the agreements on the table. How do we know a future Government which wanted to sell off the State’s water utilities will not bring such pressure to bear? Unless it is in the legislation that the service level...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Tá Sinn Féin i gcoinne an roinn seo den Bhille. Léiríonn an rud atá á dheánamh an bun prionsabal atá ag an Rialtas maidir le Uisce Éireann agus tá muide i Sinn Féin i gcoinne sin, go príomha ar chuid mhaith de na cúiseanna a léirigh an Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill mar a tharlaíonn sé, ach is ait liom go raibh...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Tá, mar tá an tAire ag iarraidh aistriú a dhéanamh ó na comhairlí áitiúla go dtí Uisce Éireann agus lena chois sin tiocfaidh na méadair, na costais agus na táillí - táillí a bheidh lom díreach mar a chéile do chuile duine trasna na tíre. An pointe atá á dhéanamh agam sa gcomhthéacs...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Leis an gceart a thabhairt, b'fhéidir gur é an Rialtas atá ag dul ar strae. Nuair a rialtar as ord na leasuithe féaráilte atá muide ag iarraidh a chur chun cinn, tá sé tábhachtach go gcuireann muid in iúl don Aire cén fáth, go bunúsach, go bhfuil muid i gcoinne na reachtaíochta seo. Beimid i gcoinne na míre seo go...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Nílim chun scéal fada a dhéanamh as seo agus nílim chun an díospóireacht a tharraingt amach, ach ar na bun prionsabail céanna, ní ghlacaim leis na pointí atá déanta ag a n Aire Stáit. Níl muinín agam as an Rialtas seo ná as na gealltanais atá á tabhairt ag an Aire Stáit. Táim den tuairim gur...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I agree with the thrust of the amendment which is practical. We all appear to be in agreement that we want to ensure transparency in the transfer of assets and moneys and an amendment of this type would, I hope, help that process. As elected representatives, once assets begin to be transferred, we will be asked questions about what assets have been transferred by local authorities to Uisce...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I wish to raise some issues and concerns. This section is overriding the democratic mandate that has been given to local councillors. We were suggesting that, before the transfer of assets, there would be a vote by councillors. We were told there would be an enduring partnership and that Uisce Éireann would be working with local authorities, etc., but we feel the transfer will...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The Taoiseach was there.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: We have had a very amiable discussion tonight, but this amendment goes to the crux of the issue. The Minister of State has said, according to his own figures, that there is a gap in funding for water services. The expenditure is €1.2 billion, with an income of €200 million derived from corporate sources, although there is an enormous level of under-collection in that area,...

Seanad: Death of Nelson Mandela: Statements (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh leis an gCeannaire as ucht an deis seo a thabhairt dúinn labhairt ar Nelson Mandela, Madiba, an ceannaire iontach domhanda atá imithe ar shlí na fírinne. Guímid suaimhneas síoraí ar a anam agus gach rath ar a chlann, ar mhuintir na hAfraice Theas agus ar dhuine ar bith ar fud an domhain a raibh baint acu leis. There...

Seanad: Death of Nelson Mandela: Statements (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I have not said that and I do not believe Deputy Adams would say that himself. Nelson Mandela would not have said it either.

Seanad: Death of Nelson Mandela: Statements (10 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: He would say that peace can be built out of conflict and that this needs to be done. We need a similar process to that associated with the truth and reconciliation process in South Africa. It is important to consider what Madiba would say to us in Ireland today and what guidance he would give to us as politicians dealing with injustices that are happening. It is good to remember the...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I commend the Justice for the Undocumented group, supported by the Migrant Rights Centre, who are doing a 24-hour vigil at the gates of Leinster House from now until tomorrow morning. I call on all Senators, if possible, to call out and talk to them about the issues they are raising about undocumented migrants in this State and the support they would like them to receive. Tá...