Results 14,281-14,300 of 20,746 for speaker:Mattie McGrath
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: Yes. I am coming to the issue of a public forum. What will it do? Will it just meet and wrap up the Bill in nice paper and send it to people as Christmas presents, if there will be no engagement or involvement? We need accountability. The Minister's predecessor and the Government abolished local democracy.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: I am speaking about the forum.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: The public utility we are talking about is Irish Water and this will be a public forum for it piggyback on.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: Okay. I will speak about the forum. Its membership will comprise of a minimum of 12 and can range to 60. I am a member of a number of voluntary companies limited by guarantee and the membership of all of them is a maximum of 11 and a minimum of seven. Why are 60 people required on this forum and who will they be? The point I have made about the forum is that it will not listen. I am...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: They will be.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: We had town and borough councils.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: Yes. What will the forum do? It will be another talking shop. Will a person telephone the forum? Where will they find the forum at 5 p.m. on a Friday or on a Saturday or a Sunday? Who will be on the forum? It will be stooges of the Ministers, with which they have packed every other board since they came into power.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: Sorry, I withdraw the word "stooges". They will be plants which the Minister will appoint to do what he, and other Ministers, want them to do.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: Does he want to sit in the Chair today? He is getting a bit edgy.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: For a man who sits in the Chair, he is very petulant when other people are talking. I am addressing the Chair. I am not talking to him. I have no interest at all in him. The people of Cork will sort him out when it comes to it. I just want to say-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: -----the forum will be a talking shop. I, like other speakers, will not have one bit of respect-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: I am not looking for any jobs for the boys. Deputy Buttimer is craving for them. One can see that every day of the week. He has been passed over so many times now, he will be like a-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: He is goading me.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: I am not a lick, like some people. I come here to represent the people and give my views as best I can. I can use robust language too and I thank the Minister for withdrawing any remarks he thinks he may have made last night. I am able to take it and to give it as well. The Commission for Energy Regulation has been an abysmal failure, with the ESB, PSOs, the charges-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: I know that but I have to-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: I am addressing the amendment. The CER will look after the forum. The Minister told us yesterday and on other occasions that he sets the prices. We were told the CER was to set the prices but it has been relieved of that role by the Minister. I am addressing this very amendment, a Cheann Comhairle-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: -----now that you are here.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: I was but I was being interrupted and being goaded. I will try my best-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: -----as I promised.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Mattie McGrath: Between the two of us, I hope we will get it fixed eventually. There will be a minimum of 12 on the forum.