Results 7,701-7,720 of 10,867 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is very clear that charges are on the way. The charge for desludging septic tanks-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: Deputy Mattie McGrath has a particular interest in this because he talks about it constantly. I cannot see him cobbling together a Government with Sinn Féin. The charge for desludging septic tanks will be £152 in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin talks about privatisation of a utility in Ireland. Someone who talks out of both sides of his or her mouth at the same time is, in...

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Minister's amendment is well thought out, comprehensive and deals with people's concerns. The Opposition does not like the fact that the Minister has dealt with the issue. It has decided to approach the Constitution in a clumsy manner. Some people call this a so-called Parliament. The Opposition would dilute the powers of the Constitution and erode what it is supposed to be about,...

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: This is an important issue because RTE is a public service that is fundamental to our democracy. While it is vital that it is kept at arm's length from the Government, it is not the subject of an article in the Constitution.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: I note the Chair gave plenty of latitude to three Opposition Deputies who voted for the programme for Government and had no difficulty with this element of it when it was proposed. One of them even took up a position as Minister of State.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: I appreciate that but I have waited patiently to speak for more than an hour. I am surprised and disappointed by Deputy Donnelly's approach to this debate. He has omitted from his argument the fundamental issue of the Irish people in whom he obviously does not have any trust.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: The role of Deputies is to serve the people and it is the people who will determine the hue of the next Government. Deputy Donnelly may very well be a member of the next Government and if he is, good luck to him. I can imagine what he and his new ally, Deputy Boyd Barrett, would come up with in government. It is lovely to see there are no policy differences between them. If they are in...

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: Given that he could well be part of a Government, he should at least trust himself. This amendment would prevent a repeat of what Fianna Fáil did with Eircom, Aer Lingus and a couple of other semi-State companies they are conveniently trying to forget about. I do not recall a constitutional referendum being held on depriving people in rural areas of a broadband service for generations...

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy may have won that argument if he had been knocking around at the time. I note Deputy Fitzmaurice has left the Chamber. The amendment would insert in the Constitution references to aquifers, rivers, septic tanks, hosepipes in backyards and companies in my constituency which draw water from the ground and bottle and sell it to consumers.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: It does not define what should be placed under national control.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: Is it rain, rivers, aquifers and pipes?

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: While Deputy Donnelly clearly has a problem with people who live in the country and provide their own water or pay for group water schemes-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: I cannot understand the reason the Deputies opposite are so anti-rural and want to treat rural dwellers differently. Since the foundation of the State, successive Governments have treated people in rural areas as second class citizens. This is the first time ever-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am surprised at Deputy Healy as he comes from a rural constituency. I hope he will encourage everyone in south Tipperary with a well to avail of the €100 grant. 8 o’clock He is already printing the leaflets. This is a clumsy attempt by the Opposition to try to gain some sort of kudos with the public in regard to one element they may have had a genuine concern about. I...

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: One of the concerns raised with me about the concept of holding a plebiscite or a constitutional referendum is how it would affect rural people. I note with surprise the contributions of Deputies Denis Naughten and Michael Fitzmaurice, as well as other Opposition Deputies from rural constituencies such as Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly whose constituency is substantially rural. They did not...

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: Deputy Ryan would be the first night.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: Maybe those hawks are in a special protection area.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: Deputy Coppinger has missed a few votes herself.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: I suppose Deputy Shane Ross over there is one.

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Patrick O'Donovan: You might be in the Chair yourself sometime, Deputy.