Results 4,741-4,760 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister of State for accepting the amendments. There is an onus on us to ensure we enact good legislation. It is positive when amendments which improve the content of legislation are accepted, be those amendments textual, technical or otherwise. Our primary objective is the pursuit of good legislation.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 14: In page 40, line 16, to delete "executive" and substitute "reserved". I raised this point on the last occasion we discussed this legislation. A critical issue arises in terms of how local authorities do their work as regards the functions of elected members and officials. Many people, of whom I am one, believe the executive has too much power. Giving powers to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael McCarthy: An article was published in today's The Irish Times on the profits made by insurance companies. Some 20 companies in the market made combined pre-tax profits of almost €750 million last year. I recognise the amount of debate we have had in the House in the context of the Motor Insurance Advisory Board and the many areas associated with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to share time with Senator Tuffy.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate on this motion. Much of what has been said hurts people on a particular side of the House. However, that happens when one speaks of statistics and facts. It is no secret that our health service is at the point of collapse not because of a lack of funding but because of sheer bad management. The management shown by Government in this...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: Under the Hanly report, accident and emergency services are to be curtailed. I admire the political will of people to defend services at their local hospitals. The Hanly report was defended by a Government Senator this evening. It is clear that accident and emergency units are under serious threat. I would like the Minister to tell us when those closures will commence.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: No.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: The Minister, Deputy Martin, will close Roscommon.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: Senator Leyden should defend his hospital.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: It is under pressure.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (30 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: Yes, up Kildare and up Punchestown.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: The meter starts running when one enters a taxi and it is there to measure cost not just the distance travelled. There is a fear that metering will be imposed for the specific purpose of charging people for water usage. Given the fiscal situation in this country for the last few years and that many public services have been starved of funds, not least the local authorities for which...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 156: In page 75, subsection (1), line 11, after "as" to insert "an Coiste Náisiúnta Seirbhísí Uisce Tuathúil or, in the English language,". The amendment seeks to insert the Irish title of the committee. This issue arose recently during our discussions of the An Bord Bia Bill when the Minister for Agriculture and Food, while accepting the spirit of an amendment...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I support the thrust of the amendment. The local authority I was a member of was controlled by Fianna Gael and Labour. Sadly, that is no longer the case as it is now controlled by Fine Gael. There is an issue in terms of transparency of contracts and the whole tender process. I can recall at divisional and full meetings, officials, as they are required, opening the tenders in the presence of...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: That is as clear as water.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 96: In page 52, subsection (1)(c), line 20, after "authority" to insert "to a material extent". Section 53 prohibits the waste of or unauthorised use of a connection to a water supply. However, this section is overly bureaucratic as it can be construed that wasting a glass of water is an equal offence to wasting 1,000 gallons.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 98: In page 52, subsection (1), line 28, after "shall" to insert "take such steps as are reasonably within his or her control to". My highly-skilled parliamentary team informed me that the Bill takes a too bureaucratic line, which this amendment proposes to address. Occupiers can do little to ensure that the water on their premises meets prescribed quality standards. I...