Results 481-500 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: We need to widen the debate. I would like to see, and will press this further in the Seanad, a consultation session here at which we can debate both sides of the argument to see if we can find some common ground.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: I do not agree that the public water forum should discuss this.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: We have heard contradictory statements from the Senators who are for and against fluoridation. During the debate we held in October there was a strong difference of opinion as to which was the most accurate information available. Certainly, there are concerns. Many people have contacted me with their concerns about fluoride in the water supply. However, the advisory panel on fluoridation...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: We must tease the matter out far more thoroughly than we have done up to now. I do not believe that putting it into this primary legislation is the way to go.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: I support Senator Keane's call for a debate on gambling and the major issues that it causes in this country. I am concerned that a lot of young people have become addicted, in particular, to online gambling. It is now far too easy for people to access gambling services. Gambling is an issue that we need to have a look at and we should strengthen laws in this regard. I join with colleagues...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: Above all, I hope that everyone has a very happy and safe Christmas. Go raibh míle maith agat.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: That is what Fianna Fáil said when it signed up to water charges.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: Excuse me, Senator O'Brien.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: Senator Cullinane would know about bullying.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: Instead of investing in our infrastructure, those Governments chose to squander the nation's finances with giveaways that were designed to win two elections. The Fianna Fáil irresponsibility is still continuing to this day. It wants people to forget that it signed up to the troika for water charges and that it was planning a flat rate charge of €400 per household. Sinn...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: -----how it tells people in Northern Ireland that services have to paid for but here in the Republic everything can be for free. It also needs to explain why its Leader, Deputy Gerry Adams, did a U-turn. First, he said he would pay his water bill and then he changed his mind and party policy.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: He found himself being outflanked by the highly irresponsible Deputy Paul Murphy and his fellow travellers, whose political survival depends on unrest and keeping people in poverty-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: -----and trying to prevent investment that would help provide employment opportunities in areas that have been badly neglected in the past. I come from a rural constituency where many communities have been paying for water, through their group water schemes, for many decades, and they cannot understand how people living in cities with water, sewerage and much better services have been exempt...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: These group water schemes are the masters of water conservation. There are also areas in my constituency that do not yet have a proper water supply, such as the village of Kilreekil, where several businesses are trying to operate from private wells, and Liskelly and Kilnahown, near Aughrim. I hope their situation will be given priority by Irish Water, as well as the upgrading of the water...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: The new utility is an investment in the future of our country and is in the national interest. It has to succeed and, in my view, it will succeed. Much progress has been made in recent weeks. I compliment the staff of Irish Water, who are responding more quickly on issues raised with it by public representatives of all persuasions. I am confident that we are putting in place a public...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Kelly, and compliment him on the good job he has been doing since he assumed office. I believe that in years to come we will look back on this week and on the establishment of Irish Water as possibly the most significant utility establishment since the establishment of the ESB-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: I would like to remind my colleagues on the other side of the House-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: -----that representatives of their party opposed the establishment of the ESB.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: I acknowledge and very much regret that some very significant mistakes were made by Government and by Irish water in the initial stages of the utility company. I felt all along that it was an overly ambitiously project and that the timeline for having the project up and running was too tight, but I am now satisfied that the major concerns of citizens have been addressed. The main concerns...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: The net price of €60 per annum for a one-person household and a net charge of €160 where there are two or more adults in the house is not an unreasonable charge for good clean safe water for families. This family charge of €3.30 per week compares very favourably with the €15 per week that families on boil notices in County Roscommon are paying for bottled water,...