Results 1,041-1,060 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes, I reported progress. Bhí daoine eile ag iarraidh caint ar seo freisin. There may have been other contributors. We were waiting for the Minister to respond to amendment No. 37 which relates to the water charging policy because we are not sure what the water charge will be and, therefore, we want built into the legislation an ability to pay clause. In other words, where people...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Senator is producing a lot of wind.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I support Senator Denis O'Donovan's position in challenging the European Commission's proposal to reduce the fishing quota available to Ireland next year. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, will attend the Fisheries Council which will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next at which he will represent the country and fight for a more equitable...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I agree with the comments made by Senators opposite. An open-ended debate on wind energy is required. Let us bring facts to the table. International evidence shows that wind energy is a farce that does not make sense. Consumers will face colossal electricity bills in five or ten years if we allow wind energy projects to proceed. It is unacceptable that ordinary taxpayers will be required...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I disagree with Senator Jim D'Arcy's point about alcohol. The multiples should be targeted because they are forcing alcohol on our citizens. It is not right that alcohol can be purchased more cheaply than milk. This is having a negative effect on society.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I differ with the Senator in that I believe we should consider increasing tax on wine. The Minister has missed an opportunity to pursue Tesco, Dunnes, Aldi, Lidl and other multiples for additional revenues from alcohol sales. Nothing was done in the budget to address the issue of large retailers wiping out small off-licences. There has been much hype about the forthcoming exit from the...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I second Senator Marc MacSharry's amendment to the Order of Business. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis an Seanadóir Ó Ceallaigh i dtaca leis an gceist sin. I support Senator John Kelly's call for a debate on the issue of the multi-million euro wind energy industry. Every citizen with an electricity bill pays for the wind energy industry through a public service obligation...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes. I know time is tight before Christmas, but it would be unfortunate if the money was not drawn down or advances were not made between now and the new year. I appeal to the Leader to debate this issue, if not before Christmas, as soon as we return. Why should the country and rural Ireland lose out when the money is available?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nuachtáin Seachtainiúil Gaeilge (10 Dec 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Tá mé an-bhuíoch don Aire Stáit as an freagra a thabhairt. Aontaím leis go bhfuil jab thar cionn déanta ag na meáin cumarsáide Gaeilge ar fud na tíre le roinnt blianta anuas, go leor acu nach bhfuil ag fáil aon chúiteamh ón Stát leis an obair sin a bhaint amach. Ach tá cúpla ceist bunúsach agam i dtaca leis an...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nuachtáin Seachtainiúil Gaeilge (10 Dec 2013)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, mo chomhghleacaí as Dún na nGall agus gabhaim buíochas leis as a rún seo a ghlacadh anocht. Is cosúil go bhfuil fógra ó Fhoras na Gaeilge sna nuachtáin náisiúnta amárach ag lorg iarratais ó dhreamanna a mbeadh spéis acu tabhairt faoi nuachtán seachtainiúil Ghaeilge a...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes there was. We met troika officials when they were in Dublin and it was one of the questions we put to them. They stated it was a matter for the Irish Government but no effort was made or request put to the troika about water charges.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Charging for water was in the programme for Government and a commitment was made with regard to free allowances. What will these free allowances be? Why was Senator Barrett's very thoughtful and purposeful amendment ruled out of order? He proposed a 100 litre allowance for every individual.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I accept this. It was not the only amendment ruled out of order questionably, but this is a matter for another day. The figures we are debating are not being thrown about by any of us. Senator Barrett brought forward figures from independent sources. On numerous occasions I quoted figures from the Oireachtas Library and Research Service which received praise from the Minister on Second...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Recently we learned the Minister of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, is examining transferring €500 million from councillors in the local government fund to Irish Water, or at least making provision to do so under local government legislation. Perhaps this is from where some of the money will come. It is a debate we can have when discussing the local...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: A chicken.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The Government is bringing it forward but making it worse.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: On the contrary-----

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is unfortunate that the Minister of State is unwilling to take this issue into consideration or have a wider debate on the charging policy. It is wrong to give exclusive remit for the charging policy to Irish Water in consultation with the Commission for Energy Regulation without a scrutiny role for the Oireachtas whereby we can debate and make a decision based on our experience as public...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Yes.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: This is the Government amendment. With amendment No. 35 the Government is being allowed to charge people who do not have meters attached to their homes. That is grossly unfair. I put it to the Minister that nobody should get a bill until all the meters are installed as only then can we charge like with like. There would be two different prices for the same product. If one of the...