Results 8,721-8,740 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We did not tell lies during the election.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: As was Fine Gael.

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (17 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister for attending the House to debate this motion which deals with an important issue. Unfortunately, we are in the realm of "I told you so." The Minister came into the Dáil and the Seanad last June with all guns blazing and it subsequently emerged that the judge felt those blazing guns posed a threat to his independence. The Minister referred to the families involved,...

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I support the motion and I support the Minister of State in her efforts. The alcohol industry is particularly influential. I would not state that it is particularly influential with Government but it certainly had an indirect influence on many of my colleagues in the context of various debates on drink driving laws and other issues relating to alcohol. That was not healthy for the body...

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I am not picking on the Senator. I understand there was an issue in Letterkenny with regard to low price alcohol and admissions to hospital which can be directly related to offers in a number of pubs in Letterkenny. I took it as an example but it happens in other towns. If there is a problem in certain towns, and not just Letterkenny, I urge local authorities to use existing powers in the...

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: What is the order for concluding the debate?

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: What time will the debate conclude?

Seanad: Flood Relief (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter and the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Brian Hayes, for coming into the House to respond to it. I refer to the flooding in Drumconrath, County Meath, on the night of the large floods on the east coast on 24 October, of which I know...

Seanad: Flood Relief (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his response and for his understanding of the issues. The Office of Public Works in an interesting office and deals with very difficult situations. The Minister of State mentioned the community centre. I thank Fr. Connaughton, from the parish of Drumconrath and Meath Hill, for his leadership on this issue. He has much work to do in the community centre....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: What about the land costs?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: What if one does not own land to put in a percolation system?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We want to see the draft regulations.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: That has nothing to do with this Bill.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: With this Bill, nothing.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We are debating what I consider to be an abomination of a Bill which attacks the rural Ireland that the Minister, Deputy Hogan, promised to defend at the many RISE meetings he attended. Since the election, he appears to have forgotten the promises he made to protect the people's interests. This Bill will create a private army of inspectors who will have greater powers than the Oireachtas....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It is not scaremongering because if a new system is required and the land is not available-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: If the system needs to be upgraded, a new percolation area will be required. What happens if one cannot afford to buy a percolation area or if the land is not available? In many parts of counties Meath and Donegal where ribbon developed was permitted, insufficient land is available to upgrade septic tanks. Householders will be unable to do what the Minister is requiring of them. The...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: By and large, these septic tanks are not polluting the groundwater.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Most pollution in Ireland comes from local authorities. A considerable number of septic tanks which were built with planning permission and are operating properly are not up to current EPA standards. The owners of these tanks run the risk of being inspected and directed to remediate any problem. These are genuine issues but they can be addressed by the establishment of the grant system...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I hope the Minister can because it is not appropriate for private sector individuals to be given statutory power when they are simply appointed by statutory bodies. That appears to be the case in this legislation. We will not accept a guillotine on Committee Stage because we are not going to debate the Bill for the sake of it. We intend to study it line by line, as the Constitution requires...