Results 17,341-17,360 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: We all have our views. Sinn Féin set out its red-line issues. We need to sit down at the committee that has been appointed for the purpose of-----

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: The committee will be well chaired and we will reach a conclusion.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: I thank Deputy Howlin for raising this matter. It is worth restating one point. While I fully acknowledge the public disquiet, section 2(1) of the Water Services Act 2014 provides that there will be no change in the status of Irish Water without a majority of votes cast in a plebiscite in favour of the proposal. We already have legal provision in place, as Deputy Howlin knows. The...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: We must consider in the committee how the issue of fairness for those who have respected their civic duty and paid a tax that was duly charged and duly underpinned by law is to be dealt with. However, I will not make a decision to commit money today to the repayment of charges. As a former Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the Deputy would be the first to criticise me if I were to...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: -----an opportunity to deliberate on this and arrive at the consensus approach. The commission has done very valuable work in showing elements of fairness that must be respected: the fair treatment of those who paid their water charges, the fair treatment of those who have paid for water for years through water schemes, group schemes and so on, and fairness in the sense that if some people...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: First, I welcome the students from Sallynoggin.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: This is the assembly where people deliberate, sift the evidence and draw conclusions after careful consideration. Unfortunately, Deputy Boyd Barrett tends to reach his conclusions without looking at any of the evidence.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: This is a very valuable document providing evidence for us. It deals with issues raised, such as the nature of the right that might be there for water and the best system for charging. Interestingly, it is recognised that the best system for managing the issue would be volumetric metering, although it is recognised that the political realities are such that we must have acceptance for...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: It is indicated that people paid in good faith, with more than 60% of people doing so, recognising their civic duty. Not everybody decided they would not pay a legally established charge. The report indicates those people should be treated equally and fairly. There is much food for discussion and as we evolve a system that will deal with a water network that needs €5.5 billion...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: We must deliberate over the evidence in a mature way. That is what I look forward to doing.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: That is the nature of democracy. It is not just those who shout loudest or protest who make determinations. It is the elected people, on a balanced basis, sifting the evidence and making decisions for our community in the best long-term interest of the country.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: This is a valuable report. We are setting up a committee. The Deputy is involved in the committee, so he will have ample opportunity to air his views.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: The report shows that metering has reduced leakage. It shows that it has worked. The report endorses the idea of setting up a national utility and removing the responsibility from the local authorities. It endorses the value of moving away from the old approach. It supports the polluter pays principle, which provides that people who use water excessively should pay for such usage and that...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: The report endorses many valuable principles. Like every other Deputy who is a member of the committee, Deputy Boyd Barrett will be able to tease this out and come back to the Oireachtas so that we can make final decisions. That is the way the people of Sallynoggin would expect us to behave as elected representatives who have a duty to make decisions that are based on the long-term ability...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: I understand that the disclosure mentioned by the Deputy is being investigated by the Minister for Health. As Deputy Howlin will confirm, very serious obligations arise when people are informed about matters of this nature. It would be totally unlawful if someone were "isolated, bullied and harassed" in the manner indicated by Deputy Martin. It would be in breach of the law. I am not in a...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: I understand it is hoped that the Bill will be published before Christmas. It is on the priority list. I will refer the wider issue of how people who are in emergency accommodation as a result of domestic violence are accounted for in data collection to the Ministers responsible because I do not have an answer.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: I am not aware that specific promised legislation has been committed to on that, although I will get back to the Deputy. On the wider issue, I am acutely aware of online bullying as a source of particular distress. In the Department, we are reviewing our well-being programmes and our anti-bullying guidelines to make sure we properly use the resources available to maximum effect and that we...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: That legislation is already in the Seanad.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: That Bill is already on Committee Stage so there will be an opportunity for the Deputy to contribute.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2016)

Richard Bruton: This year we have provided for an increase of €900 million in the health budget. That will be devoted to implementing the national health strategy. Everyone is aware of the serious increase in HIV incidence. I have no doubt that will be one of the areas to which that money is devoted. This is a strategy for several years and funding for it will be provided in the future as it has...