Results 1,061-1,080 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: They are currently paying for water.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 37: In page 13, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following:"(b) taking account of the ability to pay principle; and".This relates to an ability to pay. Under subsection (8):Irish Water shall, when preparing a water charges plan take account of the following matters:(a) the need to ensure that Irish Water performs its functions in a commercially viable manner; (b)...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Somewhere along the line, society will break down because people are forced into a corner and unable to pay. We can see it happening every day of the week with banks putting serious pressure on people. The bank issue may not be relevant here but the pressure felt by families is absolutely desperate, and I know every public representative, and not just those in the Opposition, shares that...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The amendments widen the scope for applying charges to premises that have no meters. I agree with Senator Cummins. There will be a two-tier system until all the meters are installed. One group of people will pay based on usage while another group will pay a standing charge prescribed by Irish Water. That is unfair. Someone without a meter could use 5,000 litres of water a month while...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: They relate to metering as well. Amendment No. 35 includes the phrase, "A water charges plan may, where the quantity of the water supplied to a premises is not measurable by a meter, ...". This concerns metering versus charging without a meter being attached to the premises. It may be a technical issue but it is a reality for many people who will be charged for water not based on how much...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 33: In page 12, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:“(2) That a Water Charges plan must laid before the Oireachtas for its consideration and subsequently debated annually.”.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 32: In page 12, line 28, after “plan” to insert “that shall be laid before the Oireachtas”.I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Sean D. Barrett on the previous amendment, which is along the same lines as amendment No. 32. These amendments would provide for accountability and protect consumers. Senator Sean D. Barrett sought to introduce...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Perhaps the Minister of State might reassure us further.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I have listened to the debate and agree with my Sinn Féin colleagues who have picked up on what it is I am seeking. I agree with Senator John Gilroy's comments. However, the difference between CIE, Iarnród Éireann and similar organisations is that they do not control a piece of public infrastructure that is a natural resource.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Water is essential for human and animal life and ahead of food. Therefore, we need to place the provision on a statutory footing. For too long leeway has been given to semi-State organisations to provide annual reports in which very important information tends to be buried. All I seek is a simplified breakdown. Let me give an example. There is a statutory requirement on some semi-State...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: -----Irish Water will operate and have a chief executive. The Government may have the best of intentions in establishing Irish Water, but it could end up like a runaway train unless protocols are put in place to ensure total transparency on the assets owned, including their monetary value on transfer day. NAMA is accountable to no one, even though it is the largest property owner in the...

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: Yes.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I move amendment No. 28: In page 12, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following:"(10) That a full and comprehensive table of all monies transferred to and expended by Irish Water for the purposes of this subsection shall be published annually providing a county by county breakdown.".Baineann an leasú seo le leasú eile a bhí os comhair an Tí. It is related to a...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Perhaps I misunderstood the Minister of State earlier during debate on the other amendment. I do not see the difficulty here. If we are all in agreement, then it should be a statutory obligation, and not an obligation that the agency deems fit itself. We should not be giving Irish Water the choice. Informing Irish Water that we had this debate in the Seanad and what the Senators...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: No, currently. If I am reading the Minister of State correctly, he actually agrees with me. If there is a legal mechanism in finding a way, I am willing to withdraw the amendment until Thursday. I will resubmit the amendment and if he can provide a better amendment that we can support, then that is fine. I want to be constructive on this issue, but if the Minister of State is just going...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Then we should put it in the legislation.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Not now.

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It is important to address the issue of pension liabilities. The Minister of State has clarified that local authorities and Irish Water will not have a redundancy liability. For example, in the case of a person who has been working for a county council for 15 years and enters into a 12 year sabbatical or service level agreement with Irish Water, there will be no redundancy liability at the...

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

Brian Ó Domhnaill: That is fine.