Results 10,701-10,720 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I support the amendment tabled by my colleague, Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill. To be guilty of an offence under section 70C, one must contravene paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1), which is substantial and significant. The provision in section 70C(1)(b)(iii) states "adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest". I remind the Minister and Members opposite that in...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: This measure is so broad and wide-sweeping that when the chickens come home to roost, it will affect many councillors. Regardless of whether they represent Fine Gael or the Labour Party or are Independent, they will regret the manner in which this broad and trawling legislation will affect rural Ireland. It will not affect towns or urban areas, but it will affect once-off rural housing....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Judges. The courts will.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, lines 22 and 23, to delete all words from and including " "or" in line 22 down to and including "section 70E" " in line 23 and substitute the following: " "or an inspector appointed from within the agency staff" ". This issue was debated on Committee Stage. The amendment seeks to make the section concise and brief in its intention. I will be succinct. The...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: It does not appear that obvious or straightforward, although the Minister's intention may be correct. I can write to my local authority in the western division of Cork County Council. The Minister might also clarify an issue concerning the three divisions of Cork County Council: southern, western and northern. I assume each of them has a register for registration purposes. It sounds...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I will, but it is contrary to current practice.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: That is good news.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I hope the Minister will tell-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Yes.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: What is the position if a landowner has a septic tank, a waste water treatment plant or a percolation area on his land but there is no house on the land? Is the landowner responsible? I have come across an instance where, 30 to 40 years ago, the person who built the house was allowed put the percolation area or the septic tank on a neighbour's land, but the situation has since changed and...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I support the amendment. In fairness, the Minister stated during our previous debate that he would reflect on the issue. I hope he will decide that it would be worthwhile if some of the amendments tabled in the Seanad were accepted in this Chamber as opposed to elsewhere. I am informed by a prominent and well thought of back bench Fine Gael Deputy that the Dáil will make amendments that...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: If a septic tank is registered, it should be a single registration for good and glory and one that attaches to the property. It should be registered in the Land Registry as a burden and should not be attached to the person. People move on, die, sell their properties, etc. Senator Ó Domhnaill asserts that there should be only one registration. I would be grateful if the Minister...

Seanad: Address by Dr. Mary Robinson (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I am honoured to have the privilege to propose a vote of thanks to Dr. Robinson. Before doing so, I wish to dwell on a couple of minor issues of relevance to our guest. Dr. Robinson, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Cathaoirleach and the President all come from the west. If that proves anything, it is that Oliver Cromwell was wrong. I became a...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: It was important that the Cathaoirleach allowed Senator Wilson to correct the record appropriately. I am sure the Minister will acknowledge that. I have a couple of questions for the Minister on amendments Nos. 22 and 23. Subparagraph (g) of the proposed new section states: "details of any prosecutions for an offence under this Part brought by the water services authority concerned"....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister is aware it applies in a different scenario. The Minister is being disingenuous.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister's statement that two thirds are not in compliance is putting-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I will confine myself to the section. In fairness, the comparison with the 2007 Act is like comparing fish to meat. It is a totally different scenario. The story of the Act is nothing to do with septic tanks. It is nothing to do with this issue. It is important to come back to the point I was making on which I have not got clarification. First, the Act should describe the owner. Is the...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I do not want to labour the point but I am aware of at least half a dozen cases involving problems with septic tanks. In one case a women in my constituency purchased a house in good faith only to discover many years later - she is now an elderly lady - that her septic tank was built on a neighbour's property. It was done 30 or 40 years ago on a word of mouth basis and she is not able to...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The householder must also conform to local authority regulations.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I accept that.