Results 26,261-26,280 of 26,790 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: Cumulatively, all these charges have an impact on people who are struggling.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: It is not that we oppose the thrust of what the Minister is doing because we accept he has to deal with----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I was accused earlier of interrupting Members and every time I stand up, everybody wants to interrupt me.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I have been asking for the past two weeks for a discussion on pre-budget alternatives and where money can be found. A Government Senator recently asked where are the alternatives. If the Government gave us the opportunity to discuss the budget and the alternatives, he might be enlightened.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: We pay taxes to ensure we have what the Minister says we should have, which is good clean groundwater and proper disposal of waste water in order, which, in turn, protects the environment. There is an unfairness in this charge which goes right to the heart of our opposition to it. Many people who are connected to local authority water systems do not have to pay and this charge penalises...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: Government Members should at least be informed before they come into the House. Many of them are misinformed about what is happening in Northern Ireland. They come into the House throwing accusations around without being informed.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I accept some people do not like debate and scrutiny and that is fair enough. We believe this is an exercise on the part of the Government to collect revenue from people who may not have it to give. This is unfair because it will result in a two-tier system where people who are connected to mains systems in urban areas will not have to pay and those who live in rural communities and on the...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I am opposing it now and look at where that is getting me.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: The fact that the charge has been set for five years does not prevent the Minister from returning in six months or two years to increase it to €100 or more.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: Hopefully we will be in government. Given all the factions and friction in the Government currently, that is a real possibility. Sinn Féin has three Members in the House but we may well reach the magic number of five. I am sure a number of Labour Party Senators may want to come to our side of the House and stand with a party that protects rural Ireland, working people and those who are...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: We will debate that matter next week.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: A member of the Minister's party appeared on Vincent Browne's show and there was a great debate on the matter.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: Not on Sinn Féin's proposals, on the amendments.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: People pay taxes.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: It is clear that the Senator was not listening.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I will drop that copy of the pre-budget submission down to the Minister.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: There have been many broken promises so far.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: Did that funding not come from central taxation?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: He did actually, but it came from central taxation.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: The amendment is about the application form to get on the register. The Minister indicated, when pressed, that he would seek clarification of the types of information the EPA will seek, and offered some examples. Why then did he subsequently opt for a catch-all provision? Why not define the information in order to make clear the intention of this provision? There is a concern that a...