Results 41-60 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: I commend and congratulate the Leader of the House, Senator Cummins, on his endeavours on "Morning Ireland" this morning and his effort to outline the productive and progressive work of the Seanad and the reforms introduced under his leadership. Perhaps the point was missed by the interviewer and certain elements of the media. The Seanad can only do so much and it is restricted and limited...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: It is difficult to do that if no legislation is being produced by the Dáil. Towards the end of the session, we find legislation being rammed through and dumped on top of us. We cannot give it a proper examination and then we are accused of guillotining important legislation that deserves more attention. For any media that want to pay attention, people comment on the Seanad without paying...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is an important part of the consultation process, as he said. It was initiated by the Minister, Deputy Hogan, last week. I encourage everyone who has a position on the issue, such as community groups, environmental groups, corporate groups, commercial groups, farming groups and residents associations, to contribute. A great window of...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: I endorse Senator D'Arcy's comments in regard to the delay in the processing of medical cards, which is now taking weeks and months. The divergence between the official position and reality on the ground for people waiting for medical cards is unacceptable. This issue must be addressed. I call on the Leader to arrange for a wide-ranging debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality on...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: Yes. I believe such debate is long overdue. I note from the legislative programme that the Government intends to reintroduce a redrafted immigration residence and protection Bill. It is long overdue. This policy has huge implications for our housing and education policy, our health services and on the manner in which we treat people who come here seeking help. I call on the Leader to...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: It is polluting water.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: It is polluting one's neighbour's water.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I will address the amendment and the issue of criminality and prosecution. Senator Crown told us last week that if one drew a line from the German Embassy to the American Embassy, the line would run through his house. I do not live in the embassy belt but in Cremorgan, Timahoe. I am the proud owner of a septic tank and have been for 30 years. The reason half the country is covered in...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I implore members of the Opposition to stop speaking out of both sides of their mouths-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: -----and complaining about the quality of water. We saw what happened in communities such as Galway, the dangers when water supplies are contaminated, the risk it poses to public health and safety, the cost it imposes on the taxpayer-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: Any right thinking person would maintain and moderate their septic tank to ensure it works properly to purpose. On an annual basis I and families in my area arrange for a technician to call. He charges between €100 and €150 to check and inspect the tank and, perhaps, change the filters or-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I commend the Minister for mainstreaming genuine environmental issues and concerns and for protecting the water sources and courses in rural Ireland. I also commend the county manager in Cavan, Senator Wilson's county, for taking the initiative. There are 9,000 septic tanks in Cavan and 3,300 have already been inspected. Only 11% have been found to have any fault. There is no timebomb...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: The fact is that it does not cost an arm and a leg to fix the vast majority of problems. It could be a small filter problem as I deal with on an annual basis.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: -----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I know it first hand. In fact, Cavan is not much different from Connemara, Donegal or Cremorgan.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: The standard is that the tank must work. That is what it is there for.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: Would the Senator volunteer anything different?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I will conclude. The reality is that it is unfair and unsound to wind people up and torment them-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: There is no extra charge. In fact, it costs less under this scheme being introduced by the Minister, Deputy Hogan. It is a one-off charge to have one's tank registered. The Members on the other side told us that it would be an annual charge of €350-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: -----but the reality is that the conduct of Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív and other members of Fianna Fáil on this matter is a disgrace. A one-off registration charge, after which the local authority will inspect and advise the person about their tank, free of charge, is an absolute miracle in the circumstances. Not only does this comply with the EU court ruling, and if we do not comply with that...