Results 2,701-2,720 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is important that in discussing a Bill to reform local government, we take the opportunity to commend all those who serve and sit on local authorities across the State, and all former councillors, and commend those who will put their names on the ballot paper in the upcoming local elections. It is a very difficult and demanding job, as all...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: That is what we are here to do, not only to critique a Bill but also-----

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I will finish. The Chair should have signalled that I had one minute left before he interrupted me.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I thank the Chair, but, unlike Fianna Fáil, we have proposals and policies, and it is important that the Minister hears the alternative. This is a big missed opportunity. The Minister had a real opportunity to reform local government properly and to give local government what no other Government was prepared to give, real power. It is the one thing the Minister has not done in this...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: We will have that debate on Committee Stage.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The majority on the councils were Fine Gael.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The Senator is playing both sides there.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I second the Senator's proposal.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: On a point of order, are we extending the Order of Business?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I seek clarification on these amendments and I am not sure whether I support them. Obviously, there is a concern if one looks at what is happening in other sectors, including in the public sector and even in the voluntary hospital sector where there are top-up payments on salaries and so on. There should be proper salary caps in place for senior staff in any new organisation set up which is...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: This section refers to the performance of functions by local authorities on behalf of Irish Water. One of the arguments that the Minister of State would make in favour of the Bill is that the proposal to transfer the assets and liabilities of the water services sections of local authorities would help improve the quality of service and also increase efficiencies in water services nationally....

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I know we are dealing with 12 year service level agreements but Senator Ó Clochartaigh is making an important point about a concern that would be shared by local authorities across the State in terms of how Irish Water will give priority to water projects demanded by local authorities. Some weeks ago a delegation of Oireachtas Members and local councillors met with the director of...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: In fairness, the Minister of State has been somewhat helpful with his response and has clarified some of our concerns. The point he is making is that there will be consultation with local authorities. If I understand what he said, local authorities will be asked to submit a plan to Irish Water in respect of the various schemes that may need to be upgraded or whatever it might be in their...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I support the amendments and I wanted to talk on the section in any case. The section provides for the preparation of codes of practice by Irish Water and it covers many areas. This mainly concerns the user and, while I hate to use the word "consumer" when it comes to water, unfortunately, that is the road we are travelling down. The codes of practice will make provision for customer...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: To clarify the point I made, it is not that I see my role or anybody's role in this area as passive. The reality, however, is that we are not being prescriptive in this legislation. The Minister of State is suggesting that the Commission for Energy Regulation will again engage and consult with all stakeholders and that Oireachtas Members can be part of that consultation process. That is...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I support the amendment. It is an issue of balance and we must be careful with it. Public representatives deal with people on a range of issues. If somebody has a difficulty with a bank or is in mortgage distress or there might be a difficulty with the ESB, and if one contacts the bank or the ESB or the body on behalf of the individual-----

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I did not get that point. The body one contacts is irrelevant. It could be the ESB or a State body. Some State bodies will not accept a representation from a public representative and say it will only deal with the client or individual, especially if it relates to somebody's account. There are data protection laws around that, which is important. In those circumstances, I always get a...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 54: In page 18, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:“(7) Irish Water shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2013.”.We got some clarification from the Minister on this earlier in the debate on the Bill. The amendment provides that Irish Water shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. There was concern about this among...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The problem is there is no guarantee. This amendment seeks to ensure that it will be subject to that Act. To be helpful, we will not press the amendment and perhaps table it on Report Stage when the Minister might have had time to consult with the relevant Minister. If that Minister is agreeable to it, the amendment could be accepted on Report Stage.