Results 2,221-2,240 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to this debate over the past two days. The Government has listened to the legitimate public concerns about water charges, how Irish Water was established and how it will operate. With this Bill, the Government is responding to those concerns. I welcome Opposition support for some of the proposed changes. Many Deputies raised the issue of public...

Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: And their murderers.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (3 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and am pleased to report progress on the matters he has raised. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 enacted earlier this year provides for a new scheme for the purchase of existing local authority houses to replace the 1995 tenant purchase scheme. The Social Housing Strategy 2020 approved by the Government and published last...

Seanad: Homelessness: Statements (3 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: We will have to join stakeholders in carefully considering the options proposed in the Private Residential Tenancies Board's report before we decide on the best policies to address the current difficulties in the market.

Seanad: Homelessness: Statements (3 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Department is listening to the stakeholders involved in this sector. The Private Residential Tenancies Board commissioned this report. The experts who advise the Department have shown that increases in rent supplement tend to inflate the rental market. Such an approach can have casualties, unintended or otherwise. I will be addressing the question of rent supplement in a moment. The...

Seanad: Homelessness: Statements (3 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank all Senators from all sides of the House for their contributions. This has been a very poignant and important debate. It is only correct that the Houses of the Oireachtas should debate such important issues. It is important also, and I agree with Senator Wilson on this, that we would constantly evaluate progress or otherwise. That is the measure that there should be of us as...

Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The record speaks for itself.

Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: What about your actions? You say one thing and do another.

Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: That is the wrong track.

Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: A cover up.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Senator David Cullinane raised concerns about our constituency, Waterford. I am happy to report the good news that Irish Water will continue to invest in the seven villages sewerage scheme for which we have been waiting for over 15 years. It will invest in new sewage collection and treatment systems across County Waterford, which the Senator will welcome. Irish Water has been at the top...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: When we look back, I hope Fianna Fáil will support the establishment of this very important national utility which will serve the needs of the country into the future.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome this debate and the many diverse views expressed on all sides of the House. It is welcome that we discuss Irish water, an essential and important natural and national resource. I will address the issues as far as I can in the limited time I have. Some Senators spoke about rain harvesting, an important water conservation measure. The Government is prepared to consider proposals to...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Fianna Fáil stated at the time that it needed to raise €500 million for the measure of introducing water charges.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Fianna Fáil has flip-flopped on this. As stated by Senator Cummins earlier, the party is the new weather vane, or probably the old weather vane, of Irish politics. Sinn Féin appears to be the new weather vane. Whichever way the wind blows, Fianna Fáil will go.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Fianna Fáil has failed in the past in investing in the country's water infrastructure and ensuring there is an adequate system to meet the needs of the citizens of the country.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The future generations will not thank this Government or any Government if we do not invest in such a vital infrastructure. I have listened to Senator David Cullinane continuously express false anger, citing his populism and playing to the gallery for local media. Sinn Féin has flip-flopped on this issue also. Only a few months ago its leader, Deputy Gerry Adams, told the media and...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I am always delighted to be in this House.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: -----and the start date for domestic water charging is being deferred until 1 January 2015, with the first bills to issue from April 2015. The restructured water charges system retains one of the reform programme's principal objectives, which is water conservation. As outlined earlier, in addition to the water conservation grant, metered households will be able to pay less than the capped...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I am pleased to attend the Upper House to debate the important topic of the decisions taken by the Government on a restructured water charges system and related measures regarding critical water sector reforms. Over time these reforms will ensure security of supply of quality drinking water to local communities and businesses and the upgrading and delivery of sewerage systems to keep our...