Results 7,421-7,440 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I was trying to be helpful.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 19: In page 35, line 16, to delete "as expeditiously as may be" and substitute "within 3 months". The licence should be given within a period and that period should be stated after an oral hearing. This is a delaying tactic. It is important to specify a period when the licence will be given. I suggest that it be given within three months.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: Is the Minister giving a guarantee there will not be undue delays?

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: It is important that a licence should be given within a period and the period should be specified. For far too long we have seen delays in several areas of Government such as in that of grants, particularly in the agricultural area. For example, a charter of rights for farmers was introduced and that has been flouted on several occasions. When the Minister provides for a time limit people can...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 22: In page 38, line 32, to delete "3 years" and substitute "2 years".

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: In what circumstances may they be reviewed earlier than a period of three years?

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: The Minister has explained his point with clarity. I withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 23: In page 39, line 40, to delete "substantial" and substitute "up-to-date".

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 24: In page 39, lines 43 and 44, to delete "without imposing excessive costs". As stated earlier, cost should not be a factor when we are considering the environment. The section will stand on its own without the above words. It is self-explanatory. The meaning of "excessive costs" is not fully explained and perhaps a figure should have been included.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 25: In page 42, line 11, to delete "3 years" and substitute "2 years". Again, I have suggested that the time limit of three years be reduced to two years.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 26: In page 42, lines 51 and 52, to delete "and of all persons for the time being interested therein". There is no explanation for the wording to which the amendment refers. It is not relevant and should be deleted.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 27: In page 43, line 47, after "licensee" to insert "provided he has not committed an offence".

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I tabled this amendment to copperfasten the legislation for the reasons argued so well by Senator Henry. It provides a deterrent to people who might commit an offence.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: Who will inform the agency? The Minister has not told us that. This is an added deterrent, which is why I proposed it.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: We have all seen cases where people accused of crimes have left the country and cannot be found. The amendment proposes an added deterrent in that it includes the term "provided he or she has not committed an offence". I do not see anything wrong with that.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: Yes. This is a reasonable amendment which would copperfasten the legislation and should be included in the Bill.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: People can surrender a licence and abscond from the State, as happened in the past. This would give leeway to the agency to investigate those who surrender licences.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: It is not clear-cut.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 28: In page 44, line 47, to delete "a satisfactory" and substitute "an excellent". Satisfactory is less than good. It is important that a site is handed over in excellent condition and that we acquire a plot of land in excellent condition with no pollutants. The term "satisfactory" can be interpreted as middling to fair. The word "excellent" would be stronger.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 31: In page 54, line 34, to delete "may" and substitute "shall". The word "shall" is stronger than the word "may" and should be included in order that the phrase would read: ".the Agency shall consider and shall comply with such request.". Why move from a strong to a weaker word and back to the strong word again in this provision? The word "shall" should be inserted.