Results 2,061-2,080 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

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

Jim Walsh: They will have to renew the system they installed at great cost to themselves.

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

Jim Walsh: It may not be working.

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

Jim Walsh: I am saying that the worst culprit in regard to pollution of water courses is the State itself.

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

Jim Walsh: The State is not prepared to get its house in order but is seeking instead to pass the burden onto individual rural dwellers. It is typical of how the State operates. I am not blaming the Minister or the Government specifically; it is typical of how the apparatus of the State functions. Standards are set down with which individuals must comply while the State itself is not so obliged....

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

Jim Walsh: In fairness, the previous Government spent millions of euro on this.

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

Jim Walsh: I have good respect for Senator Landy as we know each other a long time. I do not fully agree with the point he made. The inclusion of all houses with septic tanks goes beyond what is necessary to protect our water courses which is a priority. Some people are getting anxious because even if their septic tanks were not functioning perfectly, they would still not cause a problem. This...

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

Jim Walsh: Would this have anything to do with the forthcoming budget and the €23 million or so which will be collected in registration fees?

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

Jim Walsh: Was it the case or the legal team?

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

Jim Walsh: Just like today.

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

Jim Walsh: Okay.

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

Jim Walsh: We support the concept underpinning this Bill.

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

Jim Walsh: The Minister is coming some of the way. When he tells me that inspections will take place on the basis of risk-----

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

Jim Walsh: No. That is exactly what I am encouraging the Minister to do. Why is the Government taking a scattergun approach by bringing everybody in to register them, even if they are in areas where they cannot be of risk?

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

Jim Walsh: My concern is that people who are struggling will be tested and inspected on this basis. They will not be able to comply because of the physical nature of their site, because of soil conditions or because of their financial positions. I spent a considerable amount of time in the Minister's constituency as a young lad. My grandparents lived in the marble city of Kilkenny. I also spent time...

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

Jim Walsh: I appeal to the Minister to take a much more focused approach to what needs to be done here.

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

Jim Walsh: He should focus on where the risk exists.

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

Jim Walsh: He is not doing it.

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

Jim Walsh: If he is honest, the Minister will admit that this will become a bit of a financial bonanza for local authorities. It is a stealth tax. That is what is happening.

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

Jim Walsh: The Minister should rethink it.

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

Jim Walsh: It would be useful if Senator Mullins could outline to us what the Minister negotiated with the EU. That would be important.