Results 1,321-1,340 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: Why does the Minister of State have such difficulty accepting the amendments, which seek to guarantee the public that the system will not be privatised? Given his statement that no water charges will be introduced and that the system will not be privatised why then does he have a difficulty accepting the amendments? I have no doubt that the licensing system proposed in the Bill will be used...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: Amendments Nos. 12, 13 and 32 are being discussed together. Is the Minister of State accepting amendment No. 13 tabled in my name? The amendment is designed to avoid non-textual amendments to the 1885 Act thereby modifying it without changing its wording. Amendment No. 13 seeks to ensure we adhere to best practice in that regard. I thank the Minister of State for his indication that he is...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 15: In page 51, line 21, after "damage" to insert ", either directly or indirectly,". This reasonable amendment would add to the standing of the Bill. I propose that the words "either directly or indirectly" be added to the section. As I said on Committee Stage, such a provision would strengthen the Bill and make it clearer. I ask the Minister of State to accept it.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 16: In page 51, lines 28 and 29, to delete "Unless otherwise provided for in this Act or in any other enactment, no" and substitute "No". I propose the deletion of the initial words of this section. Legislation is supposed to bring greater clarity to matters but section 46, as drafted, does not do so. I pointed this out when we discussed a similar amendment on Committee...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 17: In page 52, lines 32 and 33, to delete all words from and including "that" in line 32 down to and including "functions" in line 33. This section provides for ministerial discretion, which I would have thought is inherent in every power. Why are we providing for ministerial discretion in the Bill? Am I to presume that the other powers of the Minister in the Bill are...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 18: In page 53, line 16, after "agreement" to insert "in relation to the discharge of its functions under this Act". As I said the last day, we need to delimit the scope of agreements into which a water services authority can enter. I propose that it may only enter into agreements which relate to the discharge of its functions under the Act. As was the case with the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 19: In page 53, line 18, after "person" to insert ", for a fixed charge,". As I pointed out the last day, this is a very important amendment, particularly in these times. We are all familiar with the spiralling costs of large and small scale contracts entered into by this and the previous Government at the expense of the taxpayer. We only have to look at what is happening...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: The purpose of this amendment is to end cronyism, which is rife in this country. Members of the public mistrust the format used for tendering. It is their money that is spent to cover project overruns. A halt must be called to overruns of 30% to 40% where expenses are incurred to finish a particular contract. The Minister of State claims that one particular Bill cannot be singled out to do...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 20: In page 66, line 29, after "or" to insert "at any time".

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: This is a technical amendment to clarify the subsection on licensing of discharges to sewers. The purpose of this amendment is to take into account circumstances where it might be used in a negligent manner. There are circumstances where the licences have been abandoned. Renewal of licences can be a vehicle to introduce charges. The Minister of State has not elaborated on whether there will...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: Will licences be renewed on an annual basis? Licences are all about privatisation of services. With its new motto, the Government is privatising several services, as well as the water services. The Government copies policies from the current and past British Governments. What people want is a proper water service. The current service is fairly good but there is a need to improve sewerage...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 23: In page 71, line 5, after "appeal" to insert "in whole or in part". There does not appear to be any middle ground. As drafted, this section appears to limit the power to allow or refuse an appeal. My amendment will add greater clarification to the section. The Minister of State said he would review the amendment with his officials and I trust he will give a positive...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 24: In page 74, line 1, after "unoccupied" to insert "or comprises of a rented dwelling,". It clearly should be the duty of any landlord to ensure that this section is complied with. It is very unfair to impose these burdens on tenants of rented houses. If one has a property, or is the owner of a farm or a house, it is one's duty to see that everything is in order because...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 25: In page 74, line 8, after "unoccupied" to insert "or comprises of a rented dwelling,".

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 26: In page 75, to delete lines 41 to 47, to delete page 76, and in page 77, to delete lines 1 to 11. I propose this amendment because it is clear that the Minister intends to introduce metering and charges for water. He may say I am a doubting Thomas because he has given certain assurances. However, we are talking about the Minister, the water services authority and the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State spoke at great length in this regard. Local authorities throughout the country are working at a furious pace to put in place a programme in respect of metering supplies. This is an ongoing feature within local authorities. Some people are singled out in year one, year two, year three and year four. We hear much from time to time about EU directives. I am afraid the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 27: In page 92, line 33, after "arbitrator" to insert "whose decision shall be binding". This amendment relates to responsibilities. As I said previously, what is the point of engaging an arbitrator if his or her decision is not binding? It is all about taking responsibility and deciding where the buck stops. We need to make clear in the Bill that the decision of the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: Nobody takes responsibility. The issue should not be who delivered the envelopes to the particular councillor-——

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: ——but whose typewriter or computer was used to print, forge and transfer the Taoiseach's signature.