Results 5,921-5,940 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Mick Wallace: I would like to share time with Deputy Catherine Murphy.

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Mick Wallace: The lack of transparency and accountability in this case is the issue that is most annoying the people. I heard the Taoiseach tell the House today that where there is an issue of public ownership, there should be no secrecy. I remind the House that 41 public bodies will be exempt from the new freedom of information legislation. A further 24 public bodies will be partially exempt. I...

Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Mick Wallace: The Taoiseach said in his reply to Deputy Martin that where there is public ownership there should be no secrecy and that the Irish people have a right to know. Before the Freedom of Information Bill is finalised, can the Taoiseach ensure there will be total access to information on all aspects of all public bodies?

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (15 Jan 2014)

Mick Wallace: Does the Tánaiste agree that the Palestinians are probably one of the most persecuted peoples on the planet? In view of the fact that it has defied more UN resolutions than any other country in the world, does he agree that Israel has got away with a great deal of aggressive behaviour? Does he agree that, unless the settlement issue is challenged in a proper manner, a two-state...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Mick Wallace: 27. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the gross human rights violations perpetuated by Saudi Arabia were raised by Irish Government representatives during the recent diplomatic and trade mission to that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1430/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Mick Wallace: 30. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with his EU counterparts following the recent air strikes carried out by Israel in the Gaza Strip; his views on the need to end the EU-Israel Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1431/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Book Rental Scheme (15 Jan 2014)

Mick Wallace: 218. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the case of a school (details supplied) in County Wexford, which took the initiative to establish a book rental scheme six years ago but will not be able to avail of the planned €15 million investment in book rental schemes even though the scheme needs an infusion of money every year in order to replace older books,...

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: This is a start. It must have been very tough for people who have suffered because of pyrite. Today is Shane McEntee's birthday, so it is fitting that it coincides with the passing of this Bill. In respect of examining the law to see why it is difficult to hold private entities responsible and the manner in which the law is challenged, it would be good if the process were transparent so...

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: If a quarry can supply stone that is not fit for purpose and it causes incredible damage to a dwelling, and if the quarry cannot be held responsible, then, obviously, that is a problem. If the law protects them in such a way that the Minister cannot hold these private entities responsible for their part in this pyrite issue, does the Government intend to address that weakness in the law, and...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: The Bill makes no mention of the 12 year duration of the service level agreement between management and trade unions reached earlier this year under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. The explanatory memorandum to the Bill specifically acknowledges this timeframe, but it has been excluded from the text of the Bill.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: In the absence of the service level agreement, I ask what protections are provided against privatisation. A recent consultation paper from the Commission for Energy Regulation added further to the confusion about the matter. The paper was produced under section 27 of the Water Services Act 2013 which states the commission may advise the Minister on the development of policy for the...

Other Questions: Public Transport Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: Does the Minister agree that consecutive Governments have done very little for public transport in Ireland? By international standards, public transport services are weak, while rail services have been allowed to disintegrate. If one lives in the countryside, the bus service leaves too much to be desired. Most people have to have a car in order to get from A to B. Rather than follow in...

Other Questions: Public Transport Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: 32. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the likely impact of the privatisation of certain bus routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54395/13]

Other Questions: Public Transport Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: The National Transport Authority, NTA, recently announced the privatisation of some bus routes in the south east to and from Dublin. During the consultation period, there was opposition to that privatisation. Does the Minister of State not agree that the evidence of privatisation from other jurisdictions highlights the human, social and economic costs of having a public service delivered by...

Other Questions: Public Transport Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: Most Deputies would agree that the Thatcherite legacy of privatisation of rail and bus services was shocking. Shortly after the privatisation of British Rail, British Government subsidies increased from £1 billion in 1980 to £6 billion in 2006. Likewise, the privatisation of bus services saw similar consequences, with bus fares increasing by 40% within eight years. Tendering on a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Bodies Mergers (19 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: 56. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the Railway Procurement Agency is being subsumed into the National Roads Authority; his views on whether this could be damaging to future hopes of public transport improvements here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54394/13]

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: I am sharing time with Deputy Joe Higgins. It is definitely to be welcomed that the State is doing something about pyrite problems. However, given what has occurred and the position the Government took before now, it is hard to credit that it has not been able to get the private sector to take responsibility. It is a little frightening.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: I would love to.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: I am not going to defend the ethics of the construction industry. Of course, there were plenty of people who behaved properly, but in general, the sector left too much to be desired. There was no chance it would give us any money if it could get away with it. The same goes for the banks and the insurance bodies. Bearing in mind that it has been possible for those concerned to wash their...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (18 Dec 2013)

Mick Wallace: This week, EU and US negotiators are meeting in Washington DC to hold a third round of talks on the transatlantic trade and investment partnership, TTIP. In an open letter, nearly 200 environmental, consumer and labour groups have urged European Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht, and the US Ambassador, Michael Froman, not to include an investor-state dispute settlement, ISDS, mechanism in...