Results 39,641-39,660 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I am tormented by the Member opposite to the extent that I could make another comment that he might not like to hear. However, I will withhold it for now.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I will hold it in reserve for him.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I do so in the knowledge that the poor, innocent man is venturing into territory into which he should not go if he were wise. In my view, we should have a board that is competent, capable and responsible and is not impervious to the views of the community or this House or subservient to any one or other to the detriment of one or other.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: One of the things we need to keep in mind, arising from Deputy Catherine Murphy's amendment, and indeed from the section, is that it is true that as Deputy Broughan has just said, perhaps we did not think about the issue properly. Perhaps we have spent a lot of time thinking about it, but we did not do a whole lot about it. Whether we like it or not, for the past 20 years it was obvious...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I do not propose to discuss that issue, although we could do so if necessary. Deputy Cowen noted the vast number of people who depend on water. A supply of water is a basic and crucial service that must be made available to every household in urban and rural areas.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I appreciate that, although I note also that Deputy Catherine Murphy and I view the issue from two different perspectives. For example, she proposes that water be supplied without investment or a co-ordinated approach. I have been listening to that perspective for the past 20 years for God's sake and I have yet to see any progress being made. In parts of the constituency the Deputy and I...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: As Deputy Broughan will recall, I was responsible for a different area. While the Department of Social Protection caters for a large number of people, it has a limited role in the supply of water. Everybody depends on having a water supply. Perhaps Deputies should try to function without a water supply for a week or two or perhaps six months or boil water for a couple of days, weeks,...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Let all of the Deputies opposite who have spoken so loudly on this concept propose an alternative. Water is being boiled ad infinitum and they have not yet made a single progressive or positive proposal, other than to reiterate the view that water should be free. I agree that water should be free and is a fundamental right.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I am speaking to the amendment. Water is a fundamental right, provided one collects it oneself. When one expects others to do it on one's behalf the presumption is that someone will be paid for collecting it. The presumption being made by the vast majority of speakers on the Opposition side is that somebody else should pay for it.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Deputy Stanley should not encourage me to debate the issue with him.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Thinking back, I must have been one of the first in the House ever to promote the merits of using the word "shall" rather than "may" in legislation and there is a simple explanation for it. 7 o’clock In the event of the word "shall" being inserted the Administration is obliged to do something, whether or not there is a necessity to so do, whereas in the event of the word "may"...

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: -----regardless of what members over there might say today, will not come out of the darkness, do a u-turn and decide it appropriate that this utility be privatised in order to achieve a particular advantage. To my mind, provision is already sufficiently interposed in the legislation to ensure the protection of the institution as a public entity for the foreseeable future. It should be...

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: Hear, hear.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: They are all lovely over there.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I hope there are none of those neo-liberal hawks over on Deputy Coppinger's side of the House.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: We are.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I hope he is not suggesting that we are all telling lies.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Bernard Durkan: In themselves.