Results 1,561-1,580 of 2,438 for speaker:Caít Keane

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: I welcome the Minister to the House for this good debate on local government, which is an important feature of this House. As spokesperson on local government I am delighted to have the opportunity to debate the issue today. Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill appears to have read a different report from the one I read. The kindest thing I could say is that perhaps he read it backwards. We spoke...

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: If he would speak the truth and read the report that would be welcome. I welcome the report. As we are aware, the action programme Putting People First was launched by the Minister, Deputy Hogan, in October and it will bring about the most fundamental improvements to our local government system in many years. The programme represents a radical reform plan that will bring local government...

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: Certain functions are best administered centrally but central Government is not best equipped to grasp the conditions in each locality. It is preferable for local government to carry out that job because locally elected institutions employing their own specialist staff are better placed to understand and interpret the conditions and needs of the municipality and the district. This will...

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: People want clean water from their taps but they do not need to have 40 people turning on that tap.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: They want the service delivered locally. The over-centralisation of government here is inefficient and fundamentally incompatible with a healthy Republic. This programme is delivering more powers at district level. The Senators should check it out and they will see what is changing. Devolving it from the county council down to the district level is devolution of function from council to...

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: I am long enough on local councils to remember that over 20 years ago, when the Senator was there, the Barrington report recommended a system of district-----

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: The Senator was in school but his party was there.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: The Barrington report recommended district council level delivery, and that is what the Minister is doing now with a district and municipal system. That is part of the reform programme the Government is to undertake, which the Minister outlined. That will address weaknesses associated with inconsistencies of structure, inequality of representation and fragmentation and duplication...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: We cannot pay what we do not have. It is only because it is not being collected in taxes that we cannot put it out.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: This is true as well as good news. It is good news that the Government has negotiated this in Europe, but we should be honest as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: I have a question for the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: Could we have a debate on what people will listen to? When we are talking about funding the country we should do so with reasoned debate and honesty. We should be aware as public representatives that there is an onus on us to contribute to constructive and positive debate and talk about good news, when it is available, rather than always discussing whether we should close this House because...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: I am asking for a debate on reality in politics and particularly on the financial element of it.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Caít Keane: Aontaím leis an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh maidir le 2013 - Bliain na Gaeilge. Caithfimid uilig ár gcúpla focal a úsáid. Ba mhaith liom, ar mo shon féin, mo chomhbhrón a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir Deirdre Clune agus a clann ar bhás a máthair. Ba mhaith liom chomhbhrón a ghabháil freisin le clann Shane McEntee ar a bhás. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Freisin, maidir...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Caít Keane: My question relates to the pyrite issue. If it costs ¤2,000 to test each house it would almost be worth the Government's time to set up a special laboratory because it is so expensive. Is there no joint facility? We have received varying numbers in respect of how many houses in Dublin are affected and how many in the west of Ireland and so on. The costs for testing seem outlandish. One...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Caít Keane: Níl an Seanadóir ag caint faoi Teideal an Bhille.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Caít Keane: Tá an Seanadóir imithe i bhfad ón Teideal.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Caít Keane: Tá an Seanadóir ag úsáid an Ghaeilge chun dul amach i bhfad ón bpointe.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Caít Keane: Is droch-rud é úsáid a bhaint as an Ghaeilge chun é sin a dhéanamh.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Caít Keane: Níl sé ceart nó cóir.