Results 741-760 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: The Deputy is reading correctly in that there were difficulties regarding voting. I would like to say, without being in any way patronising, how impressed I was by Members' contributions. I agree fundamentally with the sentiments expressed by Deputy Barrett in his unscripted contribution. There is an absolute requirement that European treaties be simple, not because people may not...

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: I was taking up a point made by Deputy Ó Snodaigh; I regret if I took it up at length. The charter is a fundamental aspect of this enterprise.

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: I am glad that is the case. In regard to Deputy Allen's question on double majority voting, I made the point earlier in response to Deputy Barrett that it was no wonder people lost interest when we slipped into using this type of jingoistic terminology. Yes, it is the case that the new system of double majority voting has been pushed back to 2014 and, as made clear in the statement, if any...

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: Of course it does not tell us what has been decided. We are discussing a mandate for an Intergovernmental Conference. I cannot tell the Deputy what is going to be discussed and agreed in the context of the IGC.

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: My apologies to Deputy Ó Snodaigh. When I was interrupted, I forgot to answer the second part of his question. The Middle East peace process was certainly discussed in the Council and the focus of the questions and answers and most of the contributions made today concerned the main issue. The collapse of the unity Government and the Hamas takeover of Gaza was part of it and the reality is...

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: The EU has reacted promptly to the violence and division. On 18 June, the General Affairs and External Relations Council issued a strong message in support of President Abbas which should be understood in the context of the discussions. It has also restored normal relations with the new emergency Government and is seeking ways to restore direct aid, with which Deputy Ó Snodaigh was...

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: No, the British——

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: Deputy Costello is right. I will be as brief as I can on the issue. The British, for some reason which I do not understand, indicated from the beginning a certain allergy to the charter. I could never understand that because, before I was interrupted, I was trying to make the point that the charter is a non-threatening part and——

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: The charter is a non-threatening part and is something to which we should all be able to sign up. Frankly, I was surprised that it caused so much difficulty. With regard to the protocol, if one examines the fields of application of the charter, which are in the original treaty and which will be transferred over by way of a new article, one can see that it achieves any clarification that...

European Council: Statements. (27 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: Ireland's neutrality is well recognised, as it is in previous protocols. There is nothing in the position of foreign minister/external relations high representative that will in any way undermine it. Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to opt out which touches on the point made by Deputy Ó Caoláin. In general we do not like such clauses for the simple reason that it makes the process...

Election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Resumed) (26 Jun 2007)

Dick Roche: I have known Deputy Howlin all his life. We were born on opposite sides of William Street in Wexford, he on the richer one. I have known the Howlin family all my life. Deputy Howlin's younger brother Ted, whom I believe is in attendance, was and remains my dearest friend. Deputy Howlin was described as "decent" and "honourable" and I cannot think of two more appropriate words. He comes...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2007)

Dick Roche: This group of amendments strengthen the power of the water services authorities to facilitate connection of consumers to water services while also providing improved protection for water providers against unauthorised connections and underpinning the maintenance and protection of the integrity of the pipe network. Amendment No. 204 fine-tuned the wording of section 92 to ensure it is capable...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2007)

Dick Roche: This group deals with metering, which has been already discussed. The opportunity to make some changes have been availed of in amendments Nos. 180, 181, 184 and 186. These amendments deal with the protections afforded by metering. I commend them to the House.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2007)

Dick Roche: This group of amendments insert into the Bill provisions on water charges. The purpose of amendments Nos. 222 and 223 is to strengthen and consolidate in a single provision the existing legal provisions authorising the imposition of charges for water services, for ease of understanding and accessibility. The existing legal code for water service charges is scattered piecemeal and this...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2007)

Dick Roche: The concept of domestic is based on the relevant sanitary services legislation. A composite definition of "domestic" based on section 7(11) of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1962 and section 12 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Acts provides the relevant definition.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2007)

Dick Roche: They are not so classified because a school is not covered in the definition of "domestic". While the statutory power to charge schools for water supply has existed here since 1878 as water rates and since 1962 as water charges, local authorities have not always used that power. However, the policy adopted by Government in November 1999 has since then required full transparent cost...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2007)

Dick Roche: If we were to do that there would be no inducement for schools to do what they are doing, which is to introduce innovative conservation measures. Conservation studies have been done. In Galway community school a major study was commenced in 2004 which indicated that the benefits of introducing water conservation measures in schools is very significant. The core issue is that we have been...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2007)

Dick Roche: I thank Members of both Houses who engaged in a long and constructive debate on the legislation. This very important legislation deals with some of the significant issues which have been raised. For example, it puts privatisation beyond the law. It deals with strategic planning for and conservation of water and places responsibility on all players in the water sector to ensure recent...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2007)

Dick Roche: And look what happened to Senator O'Toole.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2007)

Dick Roche: I am sincerely pleased to be here today to report on the amendments made to the Water Services Bill. This legislation is important and historic in many ways not only because it is likely to be one of the last major Bills to go through the Oireachtas in its current mode but, more to the point, it deals with the law on water services over a long period and updates it. Some considerable time...