Results 24,001-24,020 of 26,610 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: It has. We are talking about water charges.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I asked the Minister of State why we were paying a water charge. With respect to the Acting Chairman, we were told the purpose of the property tax was to pay for local services. We are now being told that one of these local services must be paid for separately, with all of the other local services people are being asked to pay for separately. With respect to the charge, one of the problems...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: One of the problems we have with the charge and the amendments to which we speak is that we have still not been told how the system will work. We still do not know how the charge will be calculated. We do not know the amount of the free allocation that will be granted to households.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: If you wish, I can speak to the section.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: If the Acting Chairman gives me the time to speak to the section, I will come back and make these points at the time.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: To be fair to the Acting Chairman, if it is helpful, I will come back on section 17 to speak on these issues.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: The Minister of State will have to put that to the Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore. That is the Tánaiste's territory.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: No; that is North Korea.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: A number of fundamental issues arise with the amendments to this section which deals with water charges. The Minister of State will be aware that my party opposes the Bill partly on the basis of the proposal to introduce charges. People will be asking what all of the other taxes they pay are being used for. They are still coming to terms with the universal social charge, the purpose of...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: To clarify, there is one rate.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I reiterate the point I made in respect of earlier amendments and sections with regard to the role of local government and the powers of local government being removed. I am interested in what Senator Landy said regarding the commitment the Minister of State gave on Second Stage in respect of establishing a link between councils, elected local representatives and Irish Water. As the...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I wish to return to a point made by the Minister of State in respect of the previous section. Amendment No. 17, which relates to section 14, has been ruled out of order. I accept the point the Minister of State made with regard to Senator Landy's contribution and the question I asked about consultation with local councillors. There is a difference between consultation and having control...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: In its report, the Commission on Energy Regulation foresaw the eventual replacement of local authorities and their staff by private contractors who will work directly for Irish Water. The Bill does not contain a reference to the guarantee of employment to 2026 that was agreed. In addition, there is no clarity in respect of superannuation. People have raised their concerns about these...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State. I have two issues with the Bill which are relevant to this amendment. The first is the removal of powers from local government in respect of water services. I served on a local authority for seven years and I heard many calls from councillors of all parties and none for more powers to be given to local government. We had a discussion during the Seanad...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: It is and it is unusual that the Chair is trying to confine the debate and constrain Members from making general points that are valid in the context of the amendments we are discussing.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I do not agree with the Leas-Chathaoirleach's view.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: I am speaking to it.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Which are relevant to the amendment. If the Leas-Chathaoirleach reads and understands the amendment, he will be aware it is directly-----

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: Then he will know it is directly relevant to the issue at hand. If we are not allowed to make these general points in the context of these amendments, it will be a bad day for local democracy and for the Seanad, but the Leas-Chathaoirleach is entitled to his opinion. I do not agree with taking powers from local government. The second issue I have relates to the potential privatisation of...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (10 Dec 2013)

David Cullinane: It is.