Results 2,321-2,340 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The amendments nearly all relate to committing offences under the legislation. Ten days is far too short a timeframe and it should be pushed out. We argue that it should be almost a year and people would be given a long period to carry out any substantial works that might be required only after grant aid of at least 85% was made available and this would be done in a voluntary capacity where...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes. If a person cannot produce a valid certificate of registration or impedes, obstructs or blocks an inspector from coming on to a property, it is categorised as an offence under section 70(g) and where a person fails to comply with an advisory notice under section 70(h), it is also an offence. There is also a duty of care to bring septic tanks up to standard. We do not even know what...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The amendments are grouped.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Is there a legal agreement with the Commission?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Minister said last night there was an agreement with the Commission.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Is it legal? Why is it not published?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Why is it not published so we can see what it is? What is there to hide?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The legislation does not show the maintenance standards.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is the problem with this Bill. We are in the dark.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Minister is putting people in the dark.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Why does the Minister not take our proposals into consideration then? We have proposals on grant aid and de-sludging.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We are coming forward with real and credible proposals which the Minister is not willing to accept because they are providing incentives to people with septic tanks. That is the problem.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We propose to deal with it, but in a different way.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Why is Cavan included in the legislation, then?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: By penalising people with septic tanks.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I am glad the issue of cryptosporidium in Galway was brought up because-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The problem in Galway was mostly attributable to urban wastewater rather than septic tanks. This point represents the nuts and bolts of the legislation. Wastewater from urban sewerage schemes throughout the country is running straight into rivers. When the systems fill up, local authority staff open the doors and let the contents flush out into the sea. I know of at least five towns in...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Despite this, we are rushing this legislation. On the amendment, the Fianna Fáil position on fees is that it wants none. The registration process should-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I know.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: We support the amendment on the basis that we fundamentally disapprove of any registration fee. We do not understand why there ought to be a registration fee. All the local authorities have all of the relevant information already.