Results 23,661-23,680 of 26,610 for speaker:David Cullinane
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: With respect, I have tabled 50 amendments, the majority of which have been ruled out of order. We have not been given the opportunity to properly scrutinise this Bill. We are having the same experience we had with the water services Bill. All of the problems that resulted with the passing of that Bill-----
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: Due to all of the consequences of that Bill and the moneys squandered on consultants for Irish Water, the Minister should resign.
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: Here we are again, guillotining a Bill and ruling out amendments for frivolous reasons while not giving the Opposition proper explanations.
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: I cannot accept that we cannot have a debate on the holding of plebiscites because it might incur a charge on the Exchequer.
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: It is ridiculous. We are sick and tired of having our amendments ruled out of order, Bills rushed through and we cannot scrutinise legislation properly.
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: It is not fair on the Minister, any Senator or the Cathaoirleach. It is completely unacceptable.
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: On a point of order, can I receive clarification on which amendments have been grouped? Has amendment No. 8 been included?
- Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: It is.
- Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: Yes.
- Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: I wish the Cathaoirleach and every Member of House a very happy, prosperous and peaceful new year. I want to move an amendment to the Order of Business, as the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, is to be in the Seanad from 3.45 p.m. to 9 p.m., according to the Order of Business. I propose that an hour should be put aside to discuss the debacle at...
- Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: We did not get answers about salary caps and bonuses when we asked questions. Not once did the Minister of State present indicate that bonuses were in place. We also asked about the cost of establishing Irish Water and not once were we told that up to €80 million was spent on consultancy fees. We also asked about the transfer of assets but did not get the required information. The...
- Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)
David Cullinane: That is what I stated at the time. I stood against the Bill and I am very proud I did so. I believe I have been proven right on the issue again. As the Minister will be in the Chamber, the Leader should agree to put one hour aside to discuss the debacle in Irish Water. I concur with the comments of my party leader that the Minister, Deputy Hogan, has been involved with far too many...
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)
David Cullinane: Under Standing Orders I would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas.
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)
David Cullinane: That is the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan's, version of democracy: guillotine, like the Water Services Bill 2013.
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)
David Cullinane: I support the sections that relate to the preparation of local economic and community plans. I have been a long-time advocate of local government playing a much more central role in economic development, and it is one of the few positive elements of this Bill that I can support.
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)
David Cullinane: The Minister is doing some good things in the Government that merit support. However, we need to learn from the mistakes of the past. The Minister served on the old city development boards himself. They were good in theory, but not very good in practice in some areas. It depended on the local authority involved. One of the difficulties that city and county managers encountered, as well...
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)
David Cullinane: The Minister should accept our amendments. If he is saying the consultation will take place, what is wrong with making sure this is clear in the section? In amendments Nos. 64 and 65 we are calling for engagement with the local community in the preparation of the plan. We want such engagement to be absolutely certain. The phrase "engagement and consultation" is very clear and explicit in...
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)
David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 83: In page 54, to delete lines 34 to 39, and in page 55, to delete lines 1 to 4.We are seeking to delete some sections of the Bill because we do not believe the Minister has been ambitious enough on the issue of mayors. If the Bill is to be genuinely reforming, the Minister should go further than simply having a plebiscite on a mayor for Dublin city. Even at that, once...
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)
David Cullinane: In a real democracy the people would elect mayors. Mayors would not be elected on the basis of pacts between councillors.
- Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)
David Cullinane: The one party in this state that would be closest to the DUP is Fine Gael.