Results 621-640 of 784 for speaker:Jimmy Harte

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: According to Sinn Féin's spokesperson on finance, the French wealth tax-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I expect the same latitude in respect of this matter as that which was afforded to Senator Cullinane.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: The French system taxes citizens-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: The Senator opposite did so. I want to clarify the position in respect of wealth taxes, which discriminate against citizens who live outside the country.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I will do so. However, the discussion has focused on how those opposite see this as a revenue-raising mechanism. I am of the view that someone has to pay. Those in Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil are experts at stating that no one should pay. That is great and I would love to be in a position to inform the people in the constituency in which I live that this is the case. Life is difficult-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: -----and people pay taxes. However, they do not get their petrol for free.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: We have a tax system which Fianna Fáil dismantled and left shattered.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: It is getting late.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I do not believe that a fee of €50 is prohibitive. Fianna Fáil has indicated that people should not be obliged to pay it. As Senator D'Arcy stated earlier, Senator Ó Domhnaill is seeking the introduction of a fee of €200.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: We did and I am making a comparison.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I am sorry I had to say it. A fee of €50 is not exorbitant. It is not nice to be obliged to inform people that they must pay €50. The position was much the same when the NCT was introduced. Many people complained about the latter at that time. Now, however, one would not hear anyone saying a word about it.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: There are massive rates which apply in the UK.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: -----Senator Ó Domhnaill said it was those on the Government side who indicated Fianna Fáil is proposing a €200 registration fee. It was actually Sinn Féin which did that.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: Well it is certainly a point. Senator Ó Domhnaill is misrepresenting Sinn Féin.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I oppose the amendment. If Senator Ó Domhnaill does not tell the people of Donegal that he proposed a €200 charge, I will not tell them.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I wanted to make the point. In fairness to the Sinn Féin Party we saw the own goal. We do not always agree on issues but we do agree on an issue that is clear and straight.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I agree but I could not lose the chance.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I am delighted. I will not tell the radio station about that.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Harte: The Senator should send them on to me. I will look after them.