Results 3,341-3,360 of 5,046 for speaker:Paschal Mooney

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

Paschal Mooney: I would like to ask her a variation of the question on the role of the Seanad. As a constitutional lawyer and former Senator, how would she justify the continuance of the second Chamber against a somewhat indifferent public fuelled by an equally indifferent media which seems to have obscured the original intention of this House, which was to act as a check and balance against big government?

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

Paschal Mooney: I would be grateful if the Minister clarified the reasons for the five-year term. How was it arrived at? What criteria were used to establish that five years would be the required time? The explanatory memorandum refers to section 70B(1) and explains that it provides that each water service authority will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a register of treatment systems...

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

Paschal Mooney: I must confess I am not totally reassured by the Minister's reply either. I will not rehearse the arguments that have already been made but if I heard him correctly, the Minister said that this process would have to be undertaken following inspections in order that the EPA would be aware of any changes that might have taken place post-inspection. I will return to the original point I asked...

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

Paschal Mooney: Is it then suggested that all 475,000 septic tanks in the country are going to be inspected? The Minister said the information would be used post-inspection to help improve the flow of information back to the local authorities. I do not want to labour the point, but when one sees an aspect of proposed legislation that does not make sense, it is only human nature to question it. I am happy...

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

Paschal Mooney: I fully accept what the Minister is saying. It is perfectly logical and sensible that this will happen. Senator O'Donovan touched on the same point that there may be changes which I did not fully anticipate. Does the Minister believe that five years is sufficient? When people install a septic tank and comply as of now, does the Minister believe they would effect changes within a five year...

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

Paschal Mooney: Will sanctions be imposed for non-compliance with the reregistration process? How will the system of re-registration work? I presume it will be similar to the registration process. Will individuals be written to and advised that the five year term is up? Will the form be automatically sent out at the end of five years? Will there be sanctions for non-compliance?

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

Paschal Mooney: We are waiting on clarification from the Minister.

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

Paschal Mooney: Senator Mullen, do not frighten the horses at this hour of the night.

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

Paschal Mooney: In the context of the amendment, I wish to make a point for the benefit of those who have been Members of the House for a short period but who have had long experience at local level. It is legitimate for those of us on this side to question both the concept behind and the amount of a charge. I do not accept the argument that people can throw €50 around like snuff at a wake as if it makes...

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

Paschal Mooney: It is legitimate for those of us on this side of the House to question the nature and amount of the charge. If I was on the Government side, I suppose I would also be attempting to defend the indefensible. That is the nature of politics. I reiterate that it is acceptable for the Opposition to question both the concept and the amount of a charge. A registration system is already in place...

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

Paschal Mooney: I do not want to delay proceedings, but I predict that the Minister will be hoisted by his own petard on this issue. He has been very clear in regard to other sections and subsections as to how the prescribed form will be rolled out. Therefore, I cannot understand why he has chosen not to spell out what is envisaged in this particular provision. What is out there that we do not know about?...

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

Paschal Mooney: I cannot understand why, having gone to the trouble of making other provisions which are very detailed in regard to the application form, the Minister has thrown in this canard in regard to additional information. It is reasonable that we should seek to establish what precisely is involved here. As I said earlier in respect of the various types of septic tanks, none of us has any difficulty...

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

Paschal Mooney: I hope the Minister will reassure the House that the form of registration, when it eventually sees the light of day, will not win the prize for difficult English. Whenever most Departments get their hands on forms, irrespective of whichever party is running the Administration, I always have the impression that there is a group of people who gleefully look on form creation a little like...

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

Paschal Mooney: I was not thinking about the Minister, but about his successors.

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

Paschal Mooney: I am sure he would have some input-----

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

Paschal Mooney: I am grateful to the Minister. That is common sense. As he outlined, specific fees are not always included in legislation, so this will go some way to allaying fears out there that there is some hidden charge on the registration fee as currently prescribed. The date by which the treatment system must be registered will be specified in regulations to be made by the Minister. In light of the...

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

Paschal Mooney: The Minister should be allowed to continue without interruption.

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

Paschal Mooney: We have exhausted section 3 at this stage. Unless Senators have further points to make, I would like to move on.

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

Paschal Mooney: I am about to point that out to Senator Ó Domhnaill.

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

Paschal Mooney: The Chair is ruling at this point. Unless the Senator has a further point to make-----