Results 4,301-4,320 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I look forward to hearing the clarification from the Minister of State on some of the issues I raised.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I appreciate that. I have many more if I am given a little leeway.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have one final question. The Minister of State has indicated an interest in responding and we do not know if he will present for the entire debate. Health and safety is also an issue, which has not been resolved in the service level agreement. Who has responsibility for it? There will be a service level agreement between Irish Water and the local authority, which will have to repair...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister of State may be able to address some of the questions I asked earlier in this section. Who will assume liability for the pensions of retired senior staff of local authority water services? This liability amounts to millions of euro. Will the Government or Irish Water be responsible for paying these pensions? Under the new service level agreement, who will have responsibility...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Given the importance of water for public and private health, I welcome the Government's decision that a household's water supply may not be disconnected for non-payment of a water bill. In such circumstances, who will be responsible for the payment of the bill? Who will pick up the tab if people cannot be disconnected for non-payment? A delicate balance must be struck on this matter. It...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for his answers. I have two or three questions on the issue of charges. The Minister of State mentioned that currently the State spends €1.2 billion on the provision of water services and that when commercial rates are removed a cost of €1 billion remains. That is considerable sum. We are already paying €1 billion in our taxes for the...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I would never encourage the Minister of State to go anywhere he does not want to go.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: My question relates to the costs and the charges, which is what we are talking about here. The Minister of State outlined-----

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I appreciate the point being made by the Acting Chairman, but I put a question to the Minister of State earlier and he has not answered it yet.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I hear the Acting Chairman, with respect, but the Minister of State referred to current costs of approximately €1.2 billion. Where will the extra €1 billion taken in taxes go? I ask him to answer that question.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I note that it is proposed in section 17 that Irish Water will present the water charges plan to the Commission for Energy Regulation, which will approve or reject it. What fairness test will it apply to this?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is leading to the amendment. If this is a fair test, then it should take account of ability to pay. Water runs and, accordingly, it could be quite costly, with bills for households being open-ended. The Minister spoke about an information campaign, with which I agree, because we are going to have to teach the public about behavioural change and water conservation. I have concerns...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I seek answers to the two questions I put to the Minister of State. What will be the fairness test applied by the energy regulator when the water charges plan is presented by Irish Water? Can a choice be given to homeowners between a flat charge or a metered charge? I feel that a flat charge will provide certainty and then they will know whether they genuinely can pay. An open-ended meter...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I support the positive work charities do, following what Senator Ó Labhrás Murchú stated. I am relying on the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to help a man with a bill of €1,440 in order that he can have his electricity switched on. Without the support of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, we will be lost because there is no heart in the ESB to deal with such cases....

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I understand my amendment has been ruled out of order because it could impose a charge on the Exchequer. Nevertheless, I would like a say a few words about it. I got quite a reaction to this issue. A couple, as defined in the Bill - I presume this means a married couple or a couple in a civil partnership - are discriminated against...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It falls on the basis that the limit for two people living under the same roof who are not defined as a couple is €500 each, while that for a couple is lower. I know of a couple over 70 whose income is €909. They are €9 over the limit. They live in an extreme corner of County Mayo. The lady must travel on a weekly basis to Galway University Hospital for cancer...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I asked the Minister of State a question but he did not answer it. I will ask him again. He said he wished to ensure fairness. I agree that income limits had to be reduced. I have no difficulty with that, but I want to see them applied fairly to everyone. How does the Minister of State justify the anomaly that the ceiling for a couple who are married or in civil partnership is...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It would be an alternative proposal.