Results 5,601-5,620 of 5,752 for speaker:Gerard Craughwell

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: I have outlined my position and support the amendment on that basis.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: I detect a shifting of the sands with the Minister. As we tire, he is becoming more reasonable and we are becoming more demanding. It is not a big demand. Senator Byrne's amendment does not seek a recommendation on a constitutional referendum from the forum; it merely provides that the forum may consider the matter and bring a recommendation to the Government. I understand the Minister...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: I accept that but, in fairness, I am entitled to his attention while I am speaking. I gave him my attention.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: That is fine.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: Senator Quinn gave his conditional support, and that condition still arises. I have stated that a referendum is a red-line issue for me. It is a red-line issue in all the text messages I have received today. This is an opportunity to get over that hurdle. If it is the case that, as Senator Ó Murchú observed, the Government has no intention of accepting any amendment, I ask the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: The ground is shifting.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: The Minister should take my comments on board.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: For the first time today, I have seen something the Minister cannot refuse. I see him sitting there and shaking his head saying he will refuse because the grey beards - the backroom boys - have told him to come here and reject everything because they have written the Bill and he is not to change it because if he does, they will really screw him up. This is a wonderful idea. The Minister...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: Ninety-eight years after the founding fathers of this country declared the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland, we are here pleading with the Minister to call a referendum in order that we can enshrine one tiny part of the ownership of Ireland to the people, and that is water. Water is the single commodity we cannot live without. A lot of people are repeating the same...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: My colleague, Senator Daly, said we must ensure that we have control over Irish Water. I disagree with him. We must not ensure we have control over it; we must ensure that we own it. That is not control; it is absolute control. We must own everything - every pipe, every production plant, everything.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: Perhaps Senator Norris is right. Perhaps it has been a tiresome morning for all of us. I cannot even begin to explain to the Minister of State the level of frustration that I feel today. I have two telephones beside me here. I have contacted country councillors all over the country and none of them wants anything to do with Irish Water. The level of frustration they feel as a result of...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: Sorry, Chairman. He should just bring in the evidence and read it out-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: -----and at least put the people's minds to rest on that issue so that they know there is a genuine reason he cannot agree to a referendum. I will finish on that, as it has been a long morning.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: Before I turn to the Bill, I note that the Leader has returned to the Chamber. I ask him to consider breaking for a few minutes to facilitate the officials. While one official has just come into the Chamber, another has been sitting there for as long as the Minister and he is entitled to a break. I would expect this for any employee at any time. Will the Leader consider doing this before...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: I find that regrettable-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: This morning I asked a question about the establishment of a company called Uisce Éireann or Irish Water Limited which was established in October in Wales. I would be grateful if the Minister of State were to advise me whether that company had been set up by Irish Water in Ireland or whether it had been set up by a director or person associated with it. I wish to establish whether...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: In Ireland the Office of the Attorney General is paid to give advice and I am sure it could find a way to come up with a wording that would meet all of the doubts the Labour Party has. I am delighted its members have doubts about the way in which the wording of a constitutional amendment might be brought forward because the example of what happened with the eighth amendment to the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: It does not matter. If such a subcontractor fails in its job, we will not have water services. Consequently, I am not at all satisfied with the manner in which things are going. My colleague, Senator David Cullinane, asked for the withdrawal of section 2 in its entirety and that is not a bad idea. Let Members get rid of the plebiscite proposal totally and return the Bill to the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: I am asking the Leader to do that.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Gerard Craughwell: On a point of order, the Minister has just got a break and he is well entitled to it. His officials have been sitting there as long as him and they are entitled to a break