Results 2,041-2,060 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: -----which was an interruption every ten seconds. That should not be allowed. Then, unfortunately, when I was endeavouring to assist the Minister later in the debate, he took the hump at my interventions.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: I ask that the CPP might look at it. Ministers who cannot brook criticism or constructive observations-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: That is why I am asking that the Chair protect Members in these situations. The central point I wanted to make on which I am looking for a debate was that the failure of the Minister to extract any significant benefits fiscally from the Croke Park agreement, which the interim report illustrated clearly, meant that the cuts to the public capital programme are so severe that programmes which...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: I have.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: Can we have a debate on the programme for Government so that we might restore cohesion. I recall the former Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, at a parliamentary party meeting which Members here will remember, when members raised issues of concern on policies which impacted on people, he stated that the time had gone for putting the interests of the party anywhere on the agenda and that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: Two weeks ago I raised the issue-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: -----of inviting the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore, here to discuss the closure of the embassies, particularly the Irish Embassy to the Holy See. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade would be invited as a matter or urgency today to come to this House to debate the closure of those...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: If the Cathaoirleach allows me, I will answer.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: May I answer?

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: The call was made three weeks ago.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: In deference to what the Deputy Leader has said, I will not be pursuing it with a walk-through vote, but I am pressing the amendment. I am giving notice that I do not find it acceptable that the Tánaiste has not come in. I raised the matter three weeks ago and I will be pursuing a manual vote when I raise it next time.

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

Jim Walsh: The response of the Minister raises an interesting scenario. He mentioned the information sought will be on the design of the facility, basic information on its maintenance-----

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

Jim Walsh: I thought that is what he said. That was my understanding. Will people be asked when they clean the glass and keep records over a number of years? Will that be the basis for the selection of inspections?

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

Jim Walsh: He indicated to us only a small proportion of those with septic tanks will be selected for inspection. How will inspections be selected? Will it be on a random basis or on the information supplied?

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

Jim Walsh: That raises another question. I made the point on Second Stage that I would have preferred if we took a more focused and targeted view on the registration and inspection regime. We should look at areas where water courses are at risk. Such areas could be identified. Such a system works in other jurisdictions.

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

Jim Walsh: No. The new system will register everybody.

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

Jim Walsh: My point deals with the specific additional information that will be prescribed. What purpose will the information be put to? I understand, from the response of the Minister, that the risk based assessment or evaluation by the EPA will be based on risks to water courses. It already has that information because geographic areas have been identified. The only information they will get from...

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

Jim Walsh: The Minister's last response provided some clarification on this issue in so far as he explained that the additional information will be used by the EPA to develop a national plan. The purpose of the Bill, as the Minister indicated and with which we all agree, is to ensure we have safe water courses and a safe water supply. There is both a public health and an environmental perspective....

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

Jim Walsh: The point I am making is certainly relevant to these provisions. They relate to the gathering of information which will, as the Minister said, inform the authorities on how the national plan should be targeted. My point is that the people from whom we are seeking this information are the wrong people. The river basin management plan revealed that the main polluters are local authorities....

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

Jim Walsh: There are local authorities which have decided only in recent years that percolation tests should form part of the process of granting planning permissions. People who sought permission, went through the process set up by the State and now find themselves in great difficulty, perhaps unable physically and financially to comply, will be put through the hoops. That is unacceptable when the...