Results 23,001-23,020 of 26,766 for speaker:David Cullinane

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

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

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

David Cullinane: There is an entire lack of honesty about this so-called grant. It is so dishonest it is outrageous. It would be far better if the Government and the Minister put their hands up and said that they were hoping to charge people more. The Commission for Energy Regulation, as we know, published our water charges plan. The average cost was to be €400. People came out and marched on the...

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

David Cullinane: With respect Senator, I do not want people to pay at all. I am saying this is entirely dishonest.

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

David Cullinane: It is called a water services grant-----

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

David Cullinane: -----but this amendment is looking for some proof. There is a metric test carried out by the Commission for Energy Regulation to-----

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

David Cullinane: I am opposed to the Arthur Daly school of economics-----

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

David Cullinane: -----that we are getting from this Government in regard to this issue. It is rubbish. Here we are at 12.15 a.m. on Saturday morning and almost the exact same thing happened to us in the Water Services Bill mark 1 where all of this nonsense happened.

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

David Cullinane: We are not getting answers to questions. We are all frustrated. I will wait to see if the Minister answers this one because the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, has not answered most of the questions we have asked.

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

David Cullinane: He waffled on. Can the Minister be honest and tell us that this is not about water conservation-----

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

David Cullinane: -----that the Government got it wrong and it is giving us €100 off the bill to reduce the cost? The Minister should be honest with us.

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: It is very frustrating.

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

David Cullinane: I wish to speak to amendment No. 21, which is the Sinn Féin amendment.

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

David Cullinane: I will come back in later.

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

David Cullinane: What payment options will be available? The Minister has not responded to the questions Senators asked.

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

David Cullinane: Is that a new Bill?

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

David Cullinane: I will not be competitive or repetitive. In fairness, the Minister has directly answered the questions, but his responses pose even more questions.

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

David Cullinane: I wonder whether Senators want scrutiny at all. Perhaps we should all just go home and not bother turning up here.

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

David Cullinane: The Minister said a separate Bill is being brought forward in the new year. Why is there a separate Bill? When we pass this Bill, we will then deal with all of the other issues, but why is there a need for a separate Bill on this? This has to do with water charges and with landlords taking money from people's deposits and should be part of this Bill. I do not see the need for a separate...

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

David Cullinane: The fact the Minister is waiting until this Bill is passed before introducing a separate Bill raises questions and concerns. Our main concern is affordability. Our concern is not for those people who can afford to pay but who are taking a principled stand and will not pay - like myself - but for those with real affordability issues. I welcome that the Minister has said the Department will...