Results 1,061-1,080 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I do not know as much about County Cavan and its by-laws as Senator Wilson does, but it does sound peculiar that in this relatively recent decision of the European Court of Justice, Cavan was found not to be in breach of the directive. Europe has given a gold star to Cavan for implementing its by-laws in 1994. I envy the council and its public representatives for going down that road then....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: There is a long way to go yet.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: In due course.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: There is just one thing before the noble Minister rises to his feet and dazzles us again. Fair play to the Minister, he is a dab hand at creating confusion, like the Kilkenny hurlers who sidestep us with the swift action of the hurley and the ball.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Constructive good opposition can never be confused with what the Minister considers to be total opposition. We have many constructive proposals if the Minister will bear with us.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Through the Cathaoirleach, I warn Senator Keane it would be very unwise to tell her colleagues on Cavan County Council that nothing will befall them other than a reduction in the fees as a result of this Bill. If they are under that illusion or persist so, the Senator will get a rude awakening in the coming years. I refer to Cavan although I have no experience of it in regard to this area...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister has a lot of cats.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: A cat retired the other night.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Does the Minister see any need for a certificate of registration to be registered also on the title of the property? Anybody buying or selling property will ensure that the cost of desludging or fixing or replacing a septic tank will be an integral part of any searches to be done. Will it be registered as a lis pendens or a burden on the property? Should it be so registered? I am also...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: What if registration is in place and it is confirmed that work needed to be carried out on a septic tank?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: A prudent purchaser would be satisfied will that.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister could make things perfectly clear by-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I understand the Minister said in the registration, which is to last five years, septic tanks may not be inspected. If that is correct, it flies in the face of the framework of the Bill and the decision of the European Court of Justice. One worry I had was that once one registered an inspection would necessarily follow within a five year period. If there is a problem in west Cork,...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: As we approach midnight I am pleased to note that the Minister is ameliorating somewhat and softening in attitude, which is most welcome.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: No. The Minister is known affectionately as Big Phil. I think he might have a big heart as well and we might give him a chance in that regard. It is appropriate for Senator Ó Domhnaill to put down his amendment and it should not be belittled. Will the Minister clarify that he is not saying he will amend the Bill to incorporate Senator Ó Domhnaill's amendment? Will he confirm to us that...

Seanad: Address by Dr. Mary Robinson (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I am honoured to have the privilege to propose a vote of thanks to Dr. Robinson. Before doing so, I wish to dwell on a couple of minor issues of relevance to our guest. Dr. Robinson, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Cathaoirleach and the President all come from the west. If that proves anything, it is that Oliver Cromwell was wrong. I became a...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: It was important that the Cathaoirleach allowed Senator Wilson to correct the record appropriately. I am sure the Minister will acknowledge that. I have a couple of questions for the Minister on amendments Nos. 22 and 23. Subparagraph (g) of the proposed new section states: "details of any prosecutions for an offence under this Part brought by the water services authority concerned"....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister is aware it applies in a different scenario. The Minister is being disingenuous.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister's statement that two thirds are not in compliance is putting-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I will confine myself to the section. In fairness, the comparison with the 2007 Act is like comparing fish to meat. It is a totally different scenario. The story of the Act is nothing to do with septic tanks. It is nothing to do with this issue. It is important to come back to the point I was making on which I have not got clarification. First, the Act should describe the owner. Is the...