Results 23,861-23,880 of 26,610 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I support the amendment. We have had some discussion with the Minister on this point. The section relates to the investment plans and it follows on from the water services strategic long-term plan which will be required. Irish Water will have to have regard to its strategic plan and to local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency, regional planning guidelines and strategic...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Not really. The amendment deals with local authority plans. My point is that this will determine the investment plan. My reading of the Bill is that the first investment plan will be after the transfer date and will be for a two-year period. Will it be yearly after that or every two years? How will that work out in terms of the investment plan?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: No, it does not answer the question I asked about the national spatial strategy. The prompting of Senator Cummins did not deal with the issue either. On page 19 of the Bill-----

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I am speaking to the Minister of State. We address our points to the Minister, not to another Senator, even if he is the Leader of the House.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Section 26(5) provides that "Irish Water shall, when preparing a water services strategic plan ... ensure, as far as practicable, that the plan is consistent with ... the National Spatial Strategy". It refers to "the" national spatial strategy rather than to "a" national spatial strategy. I was not looking for the definition of what a national spatial strategy is. I was asking what...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Senator Cummins might remember that there was no Sinn Féin councillor on the council at the time.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I have read it.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: That does not answer the question at all. I thank Senator Cummins for his unhelpful clarification.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: It comes from Adamstown in County Wexford.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: That is done at Belview.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I accept the logic of having a water services strategic plan and it is good that it will span a long period of 25 years. I also welcome the requirement that the plan have regard to the national spatial strategy, regional planning guidelines, river basin management plans and policy considerations in respect of housing strategies, strategic development zones and water quality plans. To what...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I support the amendment. It is an issue of balance and we must be careful with it. Public representatives deal with people on a range of issues. If somebody has a difficulty with a bank or is in mortgage distress or there might be a difficulty with the ESB, and if one contacts the bank or the ESB or the body on behalf of the individual-----

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I did not get that point. The body one contacts is irrelevant. It could be the ESB or a State body. Some State bodies will not accept a representation from a public representative and say it will only deal with the client or individual, especially if it relates to somebody's account. There are data protection laws around that, which is important. In those circumstances, I always get a...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 54: In page 18, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:“(7) Irish Water shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2013.”.We got some clarification from the Minister on this earlier in the debate on the Bill. The amendment provides that Irish Water shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. There was concern about this among...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The problem is there is no guarantee. This amendment seeks to ensure that it will be subject to that Act. To be helpful, we will not press the amendment and perhaps table it on Report Stage when the Minister might have had time to consult with the relevant Minister. If that Minister is agreeable to it, the amendment could be accepted on Report Stage.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: To clarify the point I made, it is not that I see my role or anybody's role in this area as passive. The reality, however, is that we are not being prescriptive in this legislation. The Minister of State is suggesting that the Commission for Energy Regulation will again engage and consult with all stakeholders and that Oireachtas Members can be part of that consultation process. That is...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I support the amendments and I wanted to talk on the section in any case. The section provides for the preparation of codes of practice by Irish Water and it covers many areas. This mainly concerns the user and, while I hate to use the word "consumer" when it comes to water, unfortunately, that is the road we are travelling down. The codes of practice will make provision for customer...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I know we are dealing with 12 year service level agreements but Senator Ó Clochartaigh is making an important point about a concern that would be shared by local authorities across the State in terms of how Irish Water will give priority to water projects demanded by local authorities. Some weeks ago a delegation of Oireachtas Members and local councillors met with the director of...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: In fairness, the Minister of State has been somewhat helpful with his response and has clarified some of our concerns. The point he is making is that there will be consultation with local authorities. If I understand what he said, local authorities will be asked to submit a plan to Irish Water in respect of the various schemes that may need to be upgraded or whatever it might be in their...