Results 6,301-6,320 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: We were promised 2,000 extra gardaí and CCTV cameras at all street corners and traffic lights, but nothing has been delivered. Before the summer recess we should have a debate on crime.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: We have had a lot of thunder talk from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform but no action.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: We need action and we need it quickly to deal with the problem of crime.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: Will the water services authority be financed by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government? Will it have to raise its own funds? Will it have to raise money by charging for water services? I ask the Minister of State to elaborate. I am somewhat concerned that it will impose charges if it wants funding. It is unrealistic that the groups availing of the authority's...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: How will the water services authority be funded? It is a simple question.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State is probably aware that there are huge shortfalls in funding to various local authorities throughout the country. Nine sewerage schemes for County Longford which have been approved are waiting for funding from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is a small county with a population of just 31,000 people. A further six or seven schemes have...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State spoke about funding. Local authorities imposed development charges before their most recent AGMs and in the run-up to their last finance meetings. Members of the Minister of State's party throughout the country are angry about the imposition of the development charges, which were intended as a means of making up for the shortfall in local authority funding. The Minister...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 163: In page 87, subsection (1), line 41, after "arbitrator" to insert "whose decision shall be binding". What is the point of engaging an arbitrator if his or her decision will not be binding? We need to make it clear in the Bill that the decision of the arbitrator will be binding on all parties. That would be a necessary improvement and perhaps the Minister of State...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State is saying the decision of the arbitrator is binding.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 166: In page 89, subsection (1), line 24, to delete "The" and substitute "In circumstances of emergency, the". I oppose this section because it paves the way for the privatisation of Ireland's water supply. We are debating Committee Stage but in all likelihood the Bill——

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: Yes, but I also oppose the section and I wanted the opportunity to outline my reasons for that. This section paves the way for the privatisation of the water supply, and it may be used as a vehicle to introduce water charges. Section 99 effectively confers power on the Minister to amend provisions in this Bill to enable the introduction of charges. We have a major difficulty with that because...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: This section states that legislation enacted before 1922 which may come into conflict with the Bill shall no longer have effect. Will the Minister of State inform the House what pre-1922 Acts could affect this Bill? Why is such a blind application being made in this case, as it could have unforeseen consequences? I understand the statute law revision unit of the Office of the Attorney General...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: This amendment, particularly the reference to contributing towards the cost of investigations carried out by a local authority on an application, will involve another cost for individuals

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 141: In page 70, subsection (1), line 23, after "unoccupied" to insert "or comprises of a rented dwelling,". It is grossly unfair to impose this burden on the tenants of a rented house. It should clearly be the duty of the landlord to ensure that this section be complied with. One simply cannot impose the responsibilities of an owner on the occupier of a rented property....

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: Why is the Minister of State imposing meters on connections if he does not intend to charge at a future date? A meter is there to gauge the supply of water that is delivered to particular users and the provision of meters introduces the intent of charges. It is evident from what the Minister of State has said that he intends to instruct group and regional water scheme committees and local...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: I am somewhat concerned at the Minister of State's comments. I wonder whether he has checked with all local authorities. Some local authorities are insisting that meters be installed on all newly constructed group water schemes. I understand also there is a directive from the Department in this regard before grants are drawn down. I would like greater clarity on this because meters are being...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 154: In page 72, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following subsection: "(2) Meters or the data taken or read from them shall not be used for the purpose of calculating or imposing a charge on the end user.". I am proposing this amendment because it is clear the Minister intends to introduce metering and charging for water. This is evident and the Minister of State...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: I propose that we stipulate that all contracts entered into by water services authorities should be fixed price contracts. We know from our experience of cronyism that contracts that were agreed went three times beyond what the agreement was on the day. That is something we have to guard against and I hope the Minister of State will accept the amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: With regard to what the Minister said, it is important that some mechanism be devised whereby the list of tenders for a particular job is published in the county manager's orders. As Senator McCarthy said, there should be a tenders committee and the three or four members on that committee should initial the outside of the envelope and the documents, which would then be passed on. That would...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State refers to the provision of water services. However, I detect in his contribution that this may be a channel to reintroduce water charges. Does a water service cover the supply of water or the connection to a mains? Will that involve a group taking responsibility? Will the Minister of State elaborate if this is really a water charge?