Results 2,781-2,800 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I know that but there is no point in agreeing to publish annual reports by Irish Water without dealing with the fundamental issue of the transfer of those assets in the first place.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I understand that but we only get one chance to come in on the amendment so I will take the opportunity.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I will finish on this point because I would like the Minister of State to respond to it. There is a very real concern that these assets and properties are being transferred over to Irish Water simply to fatten it up as a company that can be eventually sold off and that by just transferring the assets and not the liabilities, it will better position Irish Water to be able to borrow money. I...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: We have a duty to put these questions to the Minster of State today given that the Dublin City Manager was so robust in his criticisms and concerns regarding this Bill and its implications for services in Dublin and I would say for services across the State.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: It is difficult for Government and Opposition Senators to support amendments brought forward at this stage. We got sight of many of these amendments only in the past couple of hours. This is not a good way of progressing legislation. Leaving aside the haphazard manner in which the Bill is being progressed through this House, Sinn Féin had core concerns about the Bill, which concerns...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Why?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 29: In page 12, to delete lines 5 to 7.This is one of the few amendments in respect of the water charges section that was not ruled out of order. It seeks to remove completely the definition in this part of the Bill that deals with an approved water charges plan. Essentially, this is Sinn Féin's way of opposing water charges and their introduction again. There...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Yes, but we all live in the real world, where local authority budgets are being cut. While I would support a cut, it is again unfair to put responsibility back on local government while the Government is cutting funding to it. However, the point is that it was €100 at the outset but very quickly became €300. This is the real fear people will have in respect of water charges....

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The Minister of State has rehearsed the chorus we have heard for the past 16 hours, namely, his view of the Bill, to which he is entitled, but we have our view.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I have no doubt that when water charges are introduced, all the Members opposite will be whistling a different tune when they are talking to people on the doorsteps. To return to the points the Minister made, he said this Bill is about a substantial level of investment in our water services. We have seen a cut every year for the past number of years in water services in this State. There...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: -----pay another regressive tax that will disproportionately impact on their families. The Government is dipping into the pockets of people who do not have any money to give. This is unacceptable. The Minister of State claims we are not asking the real question. In his words, the real question is whether this will improve the quality of water services. He claims nothing is being hidden....

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: It would be a much better way to progress this Bill.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Deputy Stagg will be happy the plumbers will be employed.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The Health Service Executive national service plan has been published. While next year's cuts have been reduced slightly from €666 million to €619 million, we can safely state that the HSE and hospital managers will find it very difficult and highly challenging to implement them. I am astonished that the service plan makes provision for a reduction of €294 million in...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I oppose this amendment because it is insufficiently prescriptive. We have had this conversation on a few occasions. This amendment provides that a "water charges plan shall specify .... the manner and method by which charges under section 17 shall be calculated". Who will calculate the charge? It will not be the Oireachtas. As far as I can see, it will be the commission. The amendment...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: It is not agreed.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 42: In page 13, line 27, after "customer," to insert the following:"and will provide exemptions for customers who can demonstrate an inability to pay based on criteria set down by the Minister".This amendment is a bit watery, pardon the pun. We only tabled it in this manner because it was the only way we could table a Report Stage amendment that sought to include some...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: To be fair to the Minister of State, he has on every occasion dismissed the €750 figure. The problem is, however, that we do not know what the figure will be. That is the argument on which we have gone round in circles for the last 17 hours. Unfortunately, I do not think any of us can give a figure.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The Senator will be happy to know that there are no water charges in the North. The question was asked as to how we can practically introduce an inability to pay clause. How would it work? If somebody rents a house from a local authority, we have systems in place whereby we can calculate the rent based on income. It is not difficult to do but it depends on whether or not the political...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: That is the impression that was given. I would hate the House to be misled by accident. If it is the case that the water charges plan, which will determine the charge, will not form part of legislation to come before us, then we will not have an opportunity to vote on the criteria for charges in the water charges plan itself. It is a simple question. I have gone though the relevant...