Results 2,241-2,260 of 9,753 for speaker:Terry Leyden

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: I heard what he said.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: I presume I speak for all sides of the House when I say I had never come across in my life a more sober bunch than those who were present on Friday night.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: This is not relevant to the amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: A load of cobblers.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: I like the introduction for the Abbey Theatre. I cannot understand where the Department of Social Protection comes into it. Can the Minister explain it? Where does the Department of Social Protection come into a situation to do with the taking of business-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: Okay. I will come back.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: I will deal with the matter on the section.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: I support the amendment, I think it is a reasonable amendment and should be accepted. Strangely enough, the Commission for Energy Regulation was very involved at the start of this legislation and all of a sudden it disappeared. The Government said it was a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation to set the costs and charges and said it had nothing to do with the Minister or the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: The Minister is sympathetic to people who are unable to pay, and I accept his goodwill and bona fides in this regard. To be quite clear, however, it would be in the Minister's best interests to include a provision on Report Stage, on Monday, to put that into hard fact and recall Dáil Éireann to sort this out. I make no apologies to any colleagues in the Lower House. I was a...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: There is no provision in the Bill to exempt a person from the late payment fines.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: The assets of Bord Gais are being sold off. It is not competent to do this work, particularly the installation of meters. Will a disabled couple in a little cottage in Roscommon receive a bill for €260? Is there an exemption or support mechanism for them? I do not see such a provision, but perhaps there is and the Minister might let me know. Will a young couple with three children...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: This is a significant section. Somebody who does not pay the €260 charge could be fined €60 at the end of the year. The total after two years would be €640. Whatever chance the Government has of getting €260, it will have very little chance of getting €640. Will the local authorities be able to post the charge on a dwelling in the event of its sale? I...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: I remind people that we are being watched by a big audience at the moment. Someone said to me the Chair was made for me, I should go to the Lower House and try the Chair because I was more qualified for that as well. I thank whoever made that unknown request. I do not get requests like that. The Minister has inherited an unholy mess from the previous Minister. It is quite clear that the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: They will never pay and they will ensure that this never becomes workable. The Government has spent €530 million on meters, which I think are quite inadequate. I understand from a report I received today that the last few digits on the meters in Roscommon are unreadable. That may not be true. There is nobody here from Irish Water. I wonder whether somebody from Irish Water should...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: It just strikes me. A board member or some of the officials-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: They came into the Oireachtas to speak to Members of the House and points were put to them. It would be a great opportunity for them to be here on a Friday night to listen to the concerns of Members of the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: That is very kind of you but I doubt it very much. The reality is that this will probably become law but it is imposing real hardship on people who just cannot afford it. As I said this morning, it is the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: Senator Norris is very helpful. It is lovely to hear his voice. I also want clarification regarding houses that are not occupied. There is no real clarity in this Bill about what happens if a house is unoccupied. Does a person pay a standing charge for that house? Is there a small charge for that house? That has not been clarified. What about the question of tenants?

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: That is all part of this charging regime. People are asking public representatives these questions. I have not filled out the form as yet. I am very compliant legally and I suppose I will have to fill out the form before the end of the year. The point is that I have not filled it out yet. I sympathise with the Minister. He walked into this situation and I cannot understand why a Labour...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Terry Leyden: That is not part of the Bill. I will have to draw a line and we will move on.