Results 6,261-6,280 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 19: In page 53, line 18, after "person" to insert ", for a fixed charge,". As I pointed out the last day, this is a very important amendment, particularly in these times. We are all familiar with the spiralling costs of large and small scale contracts entered into by this and the previous Government at the expense of the taxpayer. We only have to look at what is happening...

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

James Bannon: The purpose of this amendment is to end cronyism, which is rife in this country. Members of the public mistrust the format used for tendering. It is their money that is spent to cover project overruns. A halt must be called to overruns of 30% to 40% where expenses are incurred to finish a particular contract. The Minister of State claims that one particular Bill cannot be singled out to do...

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 20: In page 66, line 29, after "or" to insert "at any time".

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

James Bannon: This is a technical amendment to clarify the subsection on licensing of discharges to sewers. The purpose of this amendment is to take into account circumstances where it might be used in a negligent manner. There are circumstances where the licences have been abandoned. Renewal of licences can be a vehicle to introduce charges. The Minister of State has not elaborated on whether there will...

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

James Bannon: Will licences be renewed on an annual basis? Licences are all about privatisation of services. With its new motto, the Government is privatising several services, as well as the water services. The Government copies policies from the current and past British Governments. What people want is a proper water service. The current service is fairly good but there is a need to improve sewerage...

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 23: In page 71, line 5, after "appeal" to insert "in whole or in part". There does not appear to be any middle ground. As drafted, this section appears to limit the power to allow or refuse an appeal. My amendment will add greater clarification to the section. The Minister of State said he would review the amendment with his officials and I trust he will give a positive...

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 24: In page 74, line 1, after "unoccupied" to insert "or comprises of a rented dwelling,". It clearly should be the duty of any landlord to ensure that this section is complied with. It is very unfair to impose these burdens on tenants of rented houses. If one has a property, or is the owner of a farm or a house, it is one's duty to see that everything is in order because...

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 25: In page 74, line 8, after "unoccupied" to insert "or comprises of a rented dwelling,".

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 26: In page 75, to delete lines 41 to 47, to delete page 76, and in page 77, to delete lines 1 to 11. I propose this amendment because it is clear that the Minister intends to introduce metering and charges for water. He may say I am a doubting Thomas because he has given certain assurances. However, we are talking about the Minister, the water services authority and the...

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

James Bannon: The Minister of State spoke at great length in this regard. Local authorities throughout the country are working at a furious pace to put in place a programme in respect of metering supplies. This is an ongoing feature within local authorities. Some people are singled out in year one, year two, year three and year four. We hear much from time to time about EU directives. I am afraid the...

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 27: In page 92, line 33, after "arbitrator" to insert "whose decision shall be binding". This amendment relates to responsibilities. As I said previously, what is the point of engaging an arbitrator if his or her decision is not binding? It is all about taking responsibility and deciding where the buck stops. We need to make clear in the Bill that the decision of the...

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

James Bannon: Nobody takes responsibility. The issue should not be who delivered the envelopes to the particular councillor-——

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

James Bannon: ——but whose typewriter or computer was used to print, forge and transfer the Taoiseach's signature.

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

James Bannon: It is all about responsibility.

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

James Bannon: Nobody has taken responsibility in this case.

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

James Bannon: The decision of the arbitrator, when appointed, should be final and binding.

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

James Bannon: There may be a whirlpool awaiting the Minister.

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 29: In page 94, to delete lines 17 to 28. Although I am not happy with all of the Bill, it is likely it will be passed as it is a numbers game at the end of the day. This section effectively confers power on the Minister to unilaterally suspend or amend provisions of the Bill. As a legislator, I have difficulty with this as it goes against the idea behind our role in the...

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

James Bannon: The Minister might elaborate on emergency orders. When a water services authority is in place, do the powers rest with the Minister?

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 31: In page 94, to delete lines 29 to 38. The amendment concerns section 100 which Fine Gael totally opposed on Committee Stage and again opposes on Report Stage. The section effectively states that any pre-1922 legislation which conflicts with the Bill will no longer have effect. Will the Minister tell the House whether there are any pre-1922 statutes which conflict with...