Results 2,521-2,540 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: There are 42 towns in the country with wholly inadequate sewage treatment systems, with raw sewage being dispersed into the sea.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: That will remain the reality if there is no single national publicly owned utility, which is precisely the reason Irish Water has been established.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I again thank Deputies for their contributions to this very important debate in the past two days. The Government is committed to reforming the way in which water services are delivered. We have listened to the concerns of the people and are putting in place a simpler, fairer, more certain and affordable system of water charges. I commend the motion to the House.

Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: This Bill proposes to amend the Domestic Violence Act 1996, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality. I am contributing to the debate on behalf of the Government because the change the Bill seeks to make relates to social housing entitlements that are set out in housing legislation. The Government opposes the Bill because, as well as targeting the wrong...

Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I followed with interest the contributions of all speakers. This debate has shone a spotlight on an important issue, especially in the week that we have had. I acknowledge that the views articulated by Deputies are sincerely held. All of us are Deputies who represent our constituents and we all meet people who are vulnerable to or have been affected by domestic violence. This has been a...

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Forbesmagazine also says it.

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Deputy John McGuinness for giving me the opportunity to discuss the issue of commercial rates. I am responding to the Bill on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly. The Bill deals with a wide variety of aspects of commercial rates and while the principle of consolidating rating legislation in one Act is not...

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I remind all Deputies that rates income constitutes a very important contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities such as road maintenance, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces and libraries.

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: In fact, commercial rates income represented over 33% of income or €1.5 billion to the sector in 2012. All rates collected within a local authority area are spent exclusively on delivering the public services required locally to create the environment in which businesses can prosper. Locally elected members adopt the annual rate on valuation in order to provide the required level of...

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: In this context, any review of rating law, which is essentially a local taxation system, would have to include a detailed review of all extant legislation as well as comprehensive consultation with the key stakeholders, those being local authorities, ratepayers and the Commissioner of Valuation, as well as a number of other statutory bodies, including the Courts Service and the Revenue...

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank all Deputies who contributed to the debate, especially Deputy McGuinness for giving us an opportunity to discuss the issue. I also recognise the considerable work and research he did on the legislation. I have outlined the reasons the Government opposes the Bill. The principal reason is that many of the proposals raise significant legal and constitutional issues which essentially...

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: We are out of time, Deputy.

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Not agreed.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I am pleased to attend the Upper House to debate the important topic of the decisions taken by the Government on a restructured water charges system and related measures regarding critical water sector reforms. Over time these reforms will ensure security of supply of quality drinking water to local communities and businesses and the upgrading and delivery of sewerage systems to keep our...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: -----and the start date for domestic water charging is being deferred until 1 January 2015, with the first bills to issue from April 2015. The restructured water charges system retains one of the reform programme's principal objectives, which is water conservation. As outlined earlier, in addition to the water conservation grant, metered households will be able to pay less than the capped...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I am always delighted to be in this House.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome this debate and the many diverse views expressed on all sides of the House. It is welcome that we discuss Irish water, an essential and important natural and national resource. I will address the issues as far as I can in the limited time I have. Some Senators spoke about rain harvesting, an important water conservation measure. The Government is prepared to consider proposals to...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Fianna Fáil stated at the time that it needed to raise €500 million for the measure of introducing water charges.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Fianna Fáil has flip-flopped on this. As stated by Senator Cummins earlier, the party is the new weather vane, or probably the old weather vane, of Irish politics. Sinn Féin appears to be the new weather vane. Whichever way the wind blows, Fianna Fáil will go.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Fianna Fáil has failed in the past in investing in the country's water infrastructure and ensuring there is an adequate system to meet the needs of the citizens of the country.