Results 23,881-23,900 of 26,610 for speaker:David Cullinane

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

David Cullinane: This section refers to the performance of functions by local authorities on behalf of Irish Water. One of the arguments that the Minister of State would make in favour of the Bill is that the proposal to transfer the assets and liabilities of the water services sections of local authorities would help improve the quality of service and also increase efficiencies in water services nationally....

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

David Cullinane: I seek clarification on these amendments and I am not sure whether I support them. Obviously, there is a concern if one looks at what is happening in other sectors, including in the public sector and even in the voluntary hospital sector where there are top-up payments on salaries and so on. There should be proper salary caps in place for senior staff in any new organisation set up which is...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: On a point of order, are we extending the Order of Business?

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I second the Senator's proposal.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The majority on the councils were Fine Gael.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The Senator is playing both sides there.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: That is what we are here to do, not only to critique a Bill but also-----

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I will finish. The Chair should have signalled that I had one minute left before he interrupted me.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I thank the Chair, but, unlike Fianna Fáil, we have proposals and policies, and it is important that the Minister hears the alternative. This is a big missed opportunity. The Minister had a real opportunity to reform local government properly and to give local government what no other Government was prepared to give, real power. It is the one thing the Minister has not done in this...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: We will have that debate on Committee Stage.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is important that in discussing a Bill to reform local government, we take the opportunity to commend all those who serve and sit on local authorities across the State, and all former councillors, and commend those who will put their names on the ballot paper in the upcoming local elections. It is a very difficult and demanding job, as all...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: A safe house for councillors.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: At the outset, I commend Senator Jim D'Arcy on his very own state of the nation address, which he gave in the Chamber this afternoon. I am sure he will be suitably rewarded by the Taoiseach and his seat will be safe after his performance today.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I acknowledge his point, that Members should applaud the Taoiseach, was made tongue in cheek but one should be careful not to upset in any way those who currently are living in poverty. Many people have suffered over the past seven austerity budgets and the past six years and the Taoiseach made the point that people have taken a lot of pain. However, it need not have been the way it was and...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (16 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: It is not agreed.

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: Hear, hear.

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

David Cullinane: Some of it costs money.