Results 4,121-4,140 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Housing for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I commend both Senator Dolan and Senator O'Sullivan for proposing and seconding the motion. It is very relevant in the context of the wider housing debate, which as we all know is one of the biggest challenges facing the country. As a former local authority member for eight years and chairperson of a housing strategic policy committee within a local authority, I have had experience at the...

Seanad: Housing for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Hear, hear. I agree with Senator Boyhan.

Seanad: Housing for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Ag 10.30 a.m. maidin amárach.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House for this debate, which I think should be open, honest and frank. If we are all honest with ourselves, this is a regrettable day because it is a huge backwards step in terms of investment in what are our essential water networks that are required for the future of this country and for our citizens. We are essentially postponing the day. It...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: It is a fact.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Fianna Fáil might like to try to deny that but it did a U-turn to buy votes during the recent general election because it was getting outflanked by other opposition parties. Sinn Féin is not consistent on this matter either. I know this is a divisive issue and a very political issue but if we want to be open, honest and frank, let us be at least consistent. Sinn Féin at the...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Deputy Gerry Adams publicly said people should pay their water charges, as did other Sinn Féin public representatives.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Then - this is a fact as well - the by-election in Tallaght happened and Sinn Féin got outflanked by the left. It lost a seat that it thought was its to win.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: It got outflanked and changed its position and then became outright in its opposition to water charges.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: The funny thing about all this is that in the North of Ireland-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: -----where Sinn Féin is in authority, 35,000 water meters have been installed, and Sinn Féin is preparing for the day when it will introduce water charges in Northern Ireland as well. This is on top of-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: -----the local authority charges, which are at least €1,000 per household in the North of Ireland, and then it comes into the South in its divisive way and oppose what I believe to be a minimal charge for investment in our public services, such as water-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I want to put on the record that I was never a populist. Anybody who knows me knows that as long as I have been involved in politics, I have not been a populist. I believe we need water charges in this country so that we can invest in quality water services to service our future, our children and our society. The Minister has referred to some of the serious issues. Senator Ó...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: -----and do what is right by the country-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: -----and not do what is right by our parties, which is what is happening, and let us be honest about that. I worked for the ESB for 20 years, and that company, which I think is well respected globally, is a semi-State company that manages our national electricity assets. It invests in them. The ESB undertook a network renewal programme during the 1990s and the 2000s whereby it invested...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: We have not changed our position. We are the one party that has been consistent on water charges from start to finish and we are standing up for what is right on this issue. In fairness to the Labour Party, which probably took the biggest electoral hit of all, it stood by the country. My Labour Party colleagues, one of whom is here today, and the former Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, stood...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: -----and that is why they are changing as well.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: They might not like it but that is the truth of the matter.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: They will regret the day. They are kicking to touch a thorny issue that they introduced in the first place when they signed the memorandum of understanding-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Paudie Coffey: -----that tied our country's hands in terms of water charges in this country. Regarding some of the investments, it is a fact that since Irish Water was established, 34 new treatment plants, including 26 for wastewater and eight for drinking water, have been installed around the country. In my county, the seven villages sewerage scheme has ensured that we now have blue flag beaches right...