Results 26,081-26,100 of 26,685 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister and join previous speakers in welcoming the Road Transport Bill 2011. In so far as it deals with the character of licence holders and the people they employ, the Bill is similar to that applying to private security firms. Its purpose is to amend provisions included in the Road Transport Acts. It will give effect in primary legislation to a number of measures...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I join Senator Darragh O'Brien in asking the Leader why the debate on pre-budget alternatives is not scheduled for today, tomorrow or Thursday. The Leader indicated last week that time would be provided. In tandem with Senator O'Brien, I await his response. I raise with the Leader the retail sales index figures which were published yesterday, which show that apart from the motor trade the...

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

David Cullinane: I second the amendments. As things stand, a period of ten days is permitted. That is an unreasonable timeframe because it has been stated in this House repeatedly that people who apply for benefits or who make contact with State agencies very rarely have the applications processed in ten days. Ten days is a short period and a person could be sick and not in a position to do administrative...

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

David Cullinane: What if somebody cannot pay the €5,000?

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

David Cullinane: I second the amendment. As a point of principle, every State charge should be income linked and based on ability to pay. I have often heard it said, including before my election to this House, that politicians sometimes live in ivory towers and do not understand what circumstances are like for some. Although the charge is €50, the Minister will agree that, for many households, it...

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

David Cullinane: Waterford.

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

David Cullinane: Name and shame.

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

David Cullinane: I revert to amendment No. 11 and again make the point that Members previously had a lengthy discussion with the Minister on what was the intention. For example, was the intention to inspect the system or the water discharge coming from it? The Minister stated it was to test the system, which is fine, but part of the problem might pertain to the percolation area. Members are aware that...

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

David Cullinane: The Minister spoke about using common sense last week.

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

David Cullinane: I second the amendment and repeat the points made. We are asking the Minister to show common sense, about which he spoke the last time he was here, that the local authority or the water authority write to each household. There must be records in all planning offices of septic tanks which have been installed. This is to ensure that everybody is informed in writing that he or she must...

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

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 7.

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

David Cullinane: Are we not taking them together?

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

David Cullinane: I will speak when we are discussing it.

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

David Cullinane: In a previous debate, the Minister stated that he would re-examine the question of re-registration. Instead of requiring all 400,000 owners to re-register, it may be better to put the obligation on owners to inform the water authority if changes are made to their systems. Contrary to what the Minister stated, no one is chasing shadows around corners. We are not concerned about a charge on...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I support the call by Senator Landy that the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, come in to discuss medical card renewal. We should be non-partisan on this because all of us made constructive proposals when the Minister for Health was here. The issue of medical card renewal is important. Senator Landy gave examples with which he dealt and we all could give examples of those who have waited...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Address by Dr. Mary Robinson (24 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: On behalf of the Sinn Féin Party I warmly welcome Dr. Robinson to the House. We learn something new every day and today I have learned that I am the same age as Senator O'Brien.

Seanad: Address by Dr. Mary Robinson (24 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I was completing my intermediate certificate when Dr. Robinson stood in the presidential campaign in 1990. My family was also divided. It was always divided between the Labour Party and Fianna Fáil but rather than doing what Senator O'Brien did and take sides, I took the best of both parties and joined the republican labour party of Sinn Féin. Earlier, Dr. Robinson mentioned her activism...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I refer to amendment No. 22 and the prosecutions. I accept that inspectors must have powers. We must ensure that the public good is protected. I have no difficulty with that at all. The public good is paramount in these circumstances. Will the Minister clarify whether the Bill has been proofed legally? We are talking about prosecutions and somebody may be prosecuted. There are private...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: That is an outrageous comment.