Results 68,301-68,320 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I know but the Ceann Comhairle should wait until I finish the sentence. I want to give the Tánaiste an opportunity to reply. Bills are now being charged showing arrears——

Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: ——which show the recent price of electricity taking in the increases that have occurred over recent years. Arising from the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which, contrary to what the Ceann Comhairle told me——

Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: No. The Ceann Comhairle told me in a reply that this was a matter for the regulator but it is not because the legislation has not been passed.

Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: It is a matter for the Tánaiste to answer.

Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: What about the Tánaiste's contribution now? The Bill has not been passed yet. What about the consumers?

Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: The Tánaiste should answer the question about who determines policy.

Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Everything is quick.

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: This from the man who emasculated the Freedom of Information Act. He must be joking.

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: It is the brashest statement I have ever heard.

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister of State was doing well until he made his statement.

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: So much for freedom of information.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I welcome the Bill for what it contains, which is not very much. That is not a criticism of the Minister of State. When so much attention is focused on the energy industry, not only here but throughout Europe and worldwide, I would have expected the Bill to contain some earth-shattering proposals to deal with future energy requirements, to recognise the instability of energy markets and...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Four years ago would have been the time to introduce this Bill, and over the intervening period we could have developed the industry to the extent to which we now require it to be developed. I notice that one section of the Bill allows for the Minister to take emergency action, as it were. When one gets to the stage of emergency action it is too late. If Ministers and the various agencies do...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: That is the old story.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: Absolutely. Could it be like the incinerator for Ringsend where one Minister said it shall not be in Wicklow and another Minister said it shall not be in Ringsend? In that case we could be treated to the unthinkable spectacle at the next general election of two Ministers up the same pole, at the same time, one telling the people of the benefits of incineration and the other with a placard...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: He is welcome back.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: It is. Ministers should take an interest in that area. It should not be up to a regulator, notwithstanding the fact that the regulator has been busy in recent years ensuring that electricity and gas prices have been increased. The price increases relate to worldwide energy prices. We had this argument many years ago with Bord na Móna when prices increased from £16 per tonne to approximately...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: It is unfortunate when it transpires that the Ceann Comhairle mistakenly believes a body has powers it does not possess. The legislation before the House confers on the Commission for Energy Regulation the same powers the Ceann Comhairle believed it already held.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I do not accept the Chair's suggestion.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Apr 2006)

Bernard Durkan: I am certain the Ceann Comhairle would be energised and delighted to learn that I raised this matter.