Results 541-560 of 2,438 for speaker:Caít Keane

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

Caít Keane: Does he think I am sitting down here for fun?

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

Caít Keane: Phil would be delighted.

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

Caít Keane: What about collective Cabinet responsibility?

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

Caít Keane: I stick with the facts.

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

Caít Keane: Fianna Fáil did that in 1977.

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

Caít Keane: No mention from Senator Cullinane of where the money will come from if water charges are abolished.

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

Caít Keane: There certainly were.

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

Caít Keane: We cannot argue with what is written down. It is a fact. We have heard negatives all the time about Irish Water so we should hear some of the positives as well. The Minister has outlined some of the positives about the setting up of Irish Water.

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

Caít Keane: May I have the protection of the Chair, as other speakers have had?

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

Caít Keane: As a nation and a planet we will reach a stage where we will use 40% more water than will be available. In this country we have plenty of water but it costs a lot of money to treat it and we cannot just take it from the sky and drink it. We must ensure that we encourage the economic well-being of this country and bring people to this country. As the Minister has indicated, we need to bring...

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

Caít Keane: There is a meter installed in the equivalent of every 30 seconds.

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

Caít Keane: Think of how many people are employed in that process. All of that must be taken into consideration. The income tax change in the last budget will ensure that €396 will go back into every person's pocket and the point at which the universal social charge is implemented was also raised from approximately €10,000 to €12,000. Even after paying the €160 in water...

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

Caít Keane: We will have a much cleaner supply of water. The affordability will underpin all future Government policy in this regard and the affordability level has been demonstrated by the Minister. Deputies on big salaries say they are not paying this but maybe if everybody on €80,000, such as the leaders of unions, like Mr. Ogle-----

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

Caít Keane: Perhaps if they paid their fair share, everybody else would pay much less.

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

Caít Keane: Okay. I withdraw the name. Elected representatives who are chosen to govern should lead by example and not by saying they have been elected to break the law. These people should be courageous. A previous speaker mentioned populism and localism but we should think of our people and what is good for the country. They should tell the truth about what makes water clean and affordable in a...

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

Caít Keane: Shares cannot be transferred-----

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

Caít Keane: -----or sold without the proposal being put to the people.

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

Caít Keane: Metering will decrease leakage and help people reduce consumption by between 10% and 15%. It is estimated that approximately half of households will be able to beat the cap and receive lower bills by having a meter.

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

Caít Keane: People resident in nursing homes or residential care facilities will be eligible to claim the grant, provided the property in question is not rented out. Only people who sign up will be able to claim the grant. The customer resolution dispute process is very important as we will be able to see what types of complaints are being made. It is only by knowing this that the system can be...

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

Caít Keane: The Minister has committed to doing that.