Results 2,421-2,440 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: Two weeks ago I raised the issue-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: -----of inviting the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore, here to discuss the closure of the embassies, particularly the Irish Embassy to the Holy See. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade would be invited as a matter or urgency today to come to this House to debate the closure of those...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: If the Cathaoirleach allows me, I will answer.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: May I answer?

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: The call was made three weeks ago.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: In deference to what the Deputy Leader has said, I will not be pursuing it with a walk-through vote, but I am pressing the amendment. I am giving notice that I do not find it acceptable that the Tánaiste has not come in. I raised the matter three weeks ago and I will be pursuing a manual vote when I raise it next time.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: I support amendment No. 8. There is merit in the amendment, and this has been acknowledged by the Fine Gael spokesperson also. Before I make my points, I endorse a comment by Senator Ó Domhnaill. I also listened to the Minister last night and I took some comfort from the fact that there is an agreement on maintenance with the European Union. Is that in writing? That question was asked,...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: What I was trying to elicit was whether there was an agreement on the prescription of the maintenance that will be required.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: I was just trying to elicit that. I also wonder if the Minister could inform the House, in particular, if an agreement has already been reached with the EU.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: It would be useful to us.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: If the charge is not a revenue-raising measure, which I accept in respect of this amendment, the idea of a waiver would be consistent with the system that generally applies in local authorities with regard to waste collection, for example.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: We have done it locally. We exempted old age pensioners during the years in which I was a member of my council. The rate was 50% for old age pensioners at one stage. While €50 may not seem enormous if one is working, depending on one's outgoings, it may be for somebody who is to be hit with a medical card charge and a charge of €100 for his residence. It is the accumulation of...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am talking specifically about that but also saying that when one relates the charge to other household costs that will arise, it will-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: With the utmost respect to the Acting Chairman, the Minister told us previously in the House that there would be a household charge of €100 in the coming year.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: All I am saying is that where people are in genuine financial difficulty, there should be a waiver system in place. I support the amendment on the basis that if it is not accepted, people may decide, simply because they do not have the financial resources, to avoid paying the charge by not registering. This is less desirable than having a waiver scheme. I suggest that we consider allowing...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: No.

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am serious. A number of us sat here from the start of the debate hoping to make a contribution but it now looks as if we will not get that opportunity. We disagree with the sharing of time, and we are happy to vote on that if the House so wishes. Unless the Leader agrees to extend the time to at least another hour to allow those who have been here-----

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order-----