Results 10,741-10,760 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister could make things perfectly clear by-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I understand the Minister said in the registration, which is to last five years, septic tanks may not be inspected. If that is correct, it flies in the face of the framework of the Bill and the decision of the European Court of Justice. One worry I had was that once one registered an inspection would necessarily follow within a five year period. If there is a problem in west Cork,...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: As we approach midnight I am pleased to note that the Minister is ameliorating somewhat and softening in attitude, which is most welcome.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: No. The Minister is known affectionately as Big Phil. I think he might have a big heart as well and we might give him a chance in that regard. It is appropriate for Senator Ó Domhnaill to put down his amendment and it should not be belittled. Will the Minister clarify that he is not saying he will amend the Bill to incorporate Senator Ó Domhnaill's amendment? Will he confirm to us that...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: There is just one thing before the noble Minister rises to his feet and dazzles us again. Fair play to the Minister, he is a dab hand at creating confusion, like the Kilkenny hurlers who sidestep us with the swift action of the hurley and the ball.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Constructive good opposition can never be confused with what the Minister considers to be total opposition. We have many constructive proposals if the Minister will bear with us.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Through the Cathaoirleach, I warn Senator Keane it would be very unwise to tell her colleagues on Cavan County Council that nothing will befall them other than a reduction in the fees as a result of this Bill. If they are under that illusion or persist so, the Senator will get a rude awakening in the coming years. I refer to Cavan although I have no experience of it in regard to this area...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister has a lot of cats.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: A cat retired the other night.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I do not know as much about County Cavan and its by-laws as Senator Wilson does, but it does sound peculiar that in this relatively recent decision of the European Court of Justice, Cavan was found not to be in breach of the directive. Europe has given a gold star to Cavan for implementing its by-laws in 1994. I envy the council and its public representatives for going down that road then....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: There is a long way to go yet.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: In due course.

Seanad: Health Awareness and Physical Fitness: Motion (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: If the Minister wants to come in now, it is his prerogative. There are other speakers and it is his prerogative if he wants to listen to others first.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I would like to speak on the section.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Without reiterating what my esteemed colleague has said on this important issue I am concerned about section 3 which provides for the appointment of authorised persons or inspectors. Senator Ó Domhnaill asked how they will be recruited, whether they will be independent of the local authority and will training be provided. The reason I am concerned is that we have had unhappy experiences...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: That is sensible. If a person has an issue with the inspection of a property - most people guard their houses as if they were guarding their castle - the person may be accompanied by a member of the Garda Síochána, as specified in the warrant. The section is being amended to allow an authorised person to be accompanied by an inspector appointed by the EPA for the purposes of the Bill. A...

Seanad: Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: The Minister of State, without interruption.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Senator Cullinane has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate with the Minister for Finance on the pre-budget proposals be taken today and that five minutes be allocated to a Sinn Féin Senator in that debate." Is that amendment being pressed?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: Senator Mullins should not name another individual.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Denis O'Donovan: I was chastised not too long ago for doing so. The Senator should not go down that road.