Results 1,421-1,440 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is leading to the amendment. If this is a fair test, then it should take account of ability to pay. Water runs and, accordingly, it could be quite costly, with bills for households being open-ended. The Minister spoke about an information campaign, with which I agree, because we are going to have to teach the public about behavioural change and water conservation. I have concerns...

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes.

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I would never encourage the Minister of State to go anywhere he does not want to go.

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: My question relates to the costs and the charges, which is what we are talking about here. The Minister of State outlined-----

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I appreciate the point being made by the Acting Chairman, but I put a question to the Minister of State earlier and he has not answered it yet.

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I hear the Acting Chairman, with respect, but the Minister of State referred to current costs of approximately €1.2 billion. Where will the extra €1 billion taken in taxes go? I ask him to answer that question.

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for his answers. I have two or three questions on the issue of charges. The Minister of State mentioned that currently the State spends €1.2 billion on the provision of water services and that when commercial rates are removed a cost of €1 billion remains. That is considerable sum. We are already paying €1 billion in our taxes for the...

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister of State may be able to address some of the questions I asked earlier in this section. Who will assume liability for the pensions of retired senior staff of local authority water services? This liability amounts to millions of euro. Will the Government or Irish Water be responsible for paying these pensions? Under the new service level agreement, who will have responsibility...

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: Given the importance of water for public and private health, I welcome the Government's decision that a household's water supply may not be disconnected for non-payment of a water bill. In such circumstances, who will be responsible for the payment of the bill? Who will pick up the tab if people cannot be disconnected for non-payment? A delicate balance must be struck on this matter. It...

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I appreciate that. I have many more if I am given a little leeway.

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have one final question. The Minister of State has indicated an interest in responding and we do not know if he will present for the entire debate. Health and safety is also an issue, which has not been resolved in the service level agreement. Who has responsibility for it? There will be a service level agreement between Irish Water and the local authority, which will have to repair...

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister of State. It is good to speak on this Bill, which is crucial because we cannot live without water. It is a basic need and a matter of public health. I have concerns about the service level agreement, whether it is a 12-year or a 30-year agreement. I have spoken to councils and they are concerned. With less than one month to go until January, many councils to whom I...

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: Councils. I will deal with the service level agreement first.

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is my first opportunity to speak on the Bill.

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have some questions about the service level agreement, which are valid in respect of this amendment.

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: Will these issues be sorted out by the transfer date? These include the question of who will take over liability for senior staff pensioners, now retired, and whether the domestic allowance that must be paid will be passed on to councils. Some councils fear it will come out of the local government fund. This will short-change customers and put councils on the back foot. What happens if we...

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have these questions for the Minister of State, and it is great to have him here-----

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

Fidelma Healy Eames: I look forward to hearing the clarification from the Minister of State on some of the issues I raised.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is great news that we are moving up the rankings as a good country in which to do business. I wish to raise two matters with the Leader. It is very important that an independent person is appointed to sort out the mess between the Department of Education and Skills, the Minister and the ASTI. The sides are very strident. The last thing we want is for children to lose out. Children in...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Senator Quinn said we are faster than the Danes when it comes to digital payments. However, PISA results published earlier which compare 15 year olds across Europe show we are not yet faster than the Finns. I attended the launch of the report earlier. It is good that we have steadied the ship but there is worrying news. One in every five of our 15 year olds is underperforming in maths and...