Results 1,021-1,040 of 2,438 for speaker:Caít Keane

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: I want it to be cost effective. The report should be published because we are paying 41% more for our energy than any other country in Europe. Our environment needs wind energy to get rid of coal, gas and oil.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: Senator Mulcahy asked about the benefits. The environment will benefit.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: I welcome the Minister of State. It is great to see him here again. We are in a very different place from this time last year when we spoke and it is thanks to the Government's policies. When Forbes magazine says Ireland is the best country in the OECD in which to do business we must be doing something right. That has a lot to do with business. Governments do not create jobs. Business...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: I do not know where NERI got the figures and maybe the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes might have a comment on that. I have never heard Sinn Féin answer that question when it proposes huge tax on this, that and the other. We need a progressive system but I want it to be realistic. I have done quite some research and those are the figures I have found. I have not created these...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: In the approach to Christmas, I draw the attention of the House to the fact that Ireland is the fifth worst offender in the world in terms of throwing out food. We throw out an average of 280 kg per person per year of food.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: We waste around €700 per person per year, which is an awful lot of money. The level of waste is even more concerning in the context of the number of people in the world who are starving. I wish to compliment the charity Bia Food Bank which was established in 2012 and is deserving of help. I saw a television programme last week presented by Philip Boucher-Hayes, who discussed the...

Seanad: Death of Nelson Mandela: Statements (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: I have not had time to prepare many words but I cannot walk out of the tributes. I have sat in the Chamber for six hours but I shall make a special effort to say a few words about such a special man who was a global symbol. Mandela is a global symbol of reconciliation and peaceful co-existence. His heroic life is an example not just to everyone in his country, but in ours. He had a...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: Regardless of income, everyone must be aware of their responsibility to the environment. For sustainable development for our children, we must realise water is a finite commodity and we cannot give it for free to everyone who cannot afford to pay. What does that do for the environment? There will have to be a facility built into the ability-to-pay provision for those who use more water...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: These factors have to be written into the public utility plan. Everyone must be made aware that we all have an onus to preserve the environment. If we do not have that we will have nothing, because we will not have an environment.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: If the consumer is not satisfied with Irish Water's assessment, an appeal can be made. Will there not be a table of measurements for such appeals? Meters are easy to measure but assessments are difficult to conduct and different methodologies could be used. Will a methodology be laid down for assessments?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: I propose a suspension for 15 minutes.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: Since the water charges plan is so important, it is important that we get it right. Section 17(10) states "the amount of waste water discharged from a premises is deemed to be equal to the amount of water supplied to that premises, unless Irish Water and the customer agree otherwise". I want the Minister to return to Irish Water to allow for a facility whereby the customer can agree with...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: I want to put on the record that the need for a consumer voice is very necessary. My understanding is that the National Consumer Agency will have exactly the same power to do what it does for every other sector and for the water sector. However, Irish Water will not have to submit its plan to the National Consumer Agency or the Competition Authority but the consumer will have a right to...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: There must be a bit of confusion. It is my understanding that there will be an annual report and that the accounts will be published the same way as any other company.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: Yes. It will also be under freedom of information when it is established.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: It is not established yet.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: It will be open and transparent and it is right that it should. I agree with asking the question because there is nothing like hearing the answers. Hopefully the Minister of State can confirm that.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: I thank the Minister of State for that explanation. It is an important point but I do not think it is in this part of the Bill as it deals with the administration. I read the article by Colm McCarthy on the transfer of assets and liabilities to ensure that everything is written down on paper. What the Minister of State has said is correct, namely, that one does not want to find at the end...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: I call the Minister.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Caít Keane: Who seconded the amendment?