Results 22,901-22,920 of 26,610 for speaker:David Cullinane

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

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

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

David Cullinane: The Government then capped the charge. We spent a long time on our feet debating this with the previous Ministers, Deputies Hogan and O'Dowd, and they told us then that the central issue was water conservation because we were wasting too much water. They said what we needed was a system where we had water meters and people would pay for usage. They said there would only be one year of a...

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

David Cullinane: That is exactly the point. We had a derogation from the EU Water Framework Directive, but of course this Government is setting that aside completely and going ahead with its plan to charge.

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

David Cullinane: The point is that the thrust of European policy, what they want, is polluter pays, full cost recovery. In time, that is where this is going to go and people know that. That is why people are not going to be fooled or bribed into the principle of it. Once they buy into it and start paying it will go up and up. Once that does happen, and this goes right to the heart of the Sinn Féin...

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

David Cullinane: I am sure that if I do not give an alternative before I sit down, the Government Senators will be screaming that I spent ten minutes or less critiquing the Bill and the charges without putting forward any alternative. We did put forward an alternative in our alternative budget this year. I will not go over the details of it but I am quite happy to give the Minister a copy if he has not...

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

David Cullinane: The ESRI report on the last budget said the top 40% of earners benefited from it and the bottom 60% did not. They suffered disproportionately. The reason they gave was the water charges.

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

David Cullinane: The top rate of tax was cut, which obviously benefited the higher earners, but the water charges negated any saving that would be made by those at the bottom. That is an independent report, it is not from me or from Sinn Féin. There is no doubt that we have increased inequality. For me, that is the price of being in government. I would hope that if Sinn Féin was ever in...

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

David Cullinane: That to me would be the sole motivation for going into government. I will be opposing section 3. I will listen to what the Minister has to say. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence because it is important that we put on the record our opposition to these charges and the reasons we are opposed to them, and that we give expression to the anger and concerns that are out there and put...

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

David Cullinane: This section deals with the introduction of charges. While a considerable proportion of the population have a difficulty with the ownership of water, I accept that there are people who have no difficulty paying water charges. However, a significant number of people have a difficulty with the notion of paying a second time, or else they simply cannot afford to pay. I was chastised earlier...

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

David Cullinane: This is why I refer to Groundhog Day. The Senators opposite do not have to agree with me, but people are e-mailing us in their thousands, and I have a responsibility to articulate their concerns to the Minister. This is the section in which these concerns can be addressed. The Minister and other Senators may respond if they wish, but we should at least be allowed to make our point. I...

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

David Cullinane: Senator Healy Eames was not confusing the water conservation grant with the rebate in her example. The grant comes from the Department of Social Protection and is separate. However, could the State be down €40? Is it possible a customer could get €100 back from the Department of Social Protection and then a rebate from Irish Water?

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

David Cullinane: On a point of order, can the Minister of State answer the question I asked? He did not answer the question.

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

David Cullinane: It is about halting water charges.

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

David Cullinane: I intend to make my contribution and will have no difficulty in contributing later when we debate the section. Is that what the Cathaoirleach would prefer me to do?

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

David Cullinane: I will make my contribution one way or the other. I will have no difficulty in contributing later.

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

David Cullinane: I will restate everything I have just said in case the Minister of State revolves again and we have the Minister back in the House.

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

David Cullinane: I have not finished and still have the floor.

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

David Cullinane: I have not finished. I did not know there were time constraints on Committee Stage. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach might advise me.

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

David Cullinane: I suggest everyone settle down and I will finish my contribution.

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

David Cullinane: With respect, I will behave in whatever way I wish to behave.