Results 17,621-17,640 of 20,884 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: That has nothing to do with me accepting the amendments or not. I will look at the idea of a forum and some other way of dealing with this.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I am giving a firm commitment here and now that I will look at the amendment in that spirit. Please, take my word on that. I might even surprise Senators opposite on it.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: The House may also want to consider this issue. Whatever process is created, either through this legislation or outside of it, it could be used as a precedent. In the future, there may be other issues which could use the same model.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I am not that new.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I was annoyed until the Senator said that.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: There is not another Minister that is as pro-Seanad Éireann as I am. I was a Member of this House. While I have been lucky enough to be a member of every body-House to which one can be elected in this country, I was first a Member of this House and I respect it. I ask that Members respect me. A couple of Senators have questioned my sincerity. I do not think that is fair. I am doing...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank Senators for their support for it. I hope Senators appreciate that I am deliberately not prescribing the full terms of the forum because I think it appropriate that the relevant committee first discuss the matter. I do not have the monopoly on how the forum should be run. It will be a forum for customers and will not discuss the type of issues raised here. It is particularly a...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: -----that will not concern me if it is the right thing to do. There is never the wrong time to do the right thing. If the Dáil needs to reconvene to deal with an amendment made by the Seanad I will have no issue with that.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I am well able for that discussion. I do not believe this issue needs to be addressed by way of the legislative process. There may be other amendments on Report Stage. I have already introduced two amendments on Report Stage in the Dáil based on amendments already tabled by Deputies Denis Naughten and Stephen S. Donnelly. This amendment does not need to be part of the legislative...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I would appreciate it if the Senator took that back.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: In fairness, I have given my attention.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: It does not matter. Let us move on.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I did not say "No."

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I did not say "No." I actually said that I listen.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: In fairness, I am responding to the amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: In fairness, Senator Quinn knows I had no role in that.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I enjoyed this contribution. It was a good debate. In all honesty, I say to Senator Quinn that I stand by the commitment I have given with regard to anything brought forward. I do not say these things for the sake of it. However, it must be for the right reason. I can see the logic behind the amendment tabled by Senator Byrne, but there is a problematic core issue. The amendment states...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: Let me finish. It is not necessary and not the route to go down. I welcome the comments made on the forum. In fairness, Senators of all political colours have said it is a good idea. I very much welcome this, and when we will discuss the section later I will welcome Senators supporting it. All that is in the Bill is the principle of it. The regulations on what will be in the forum will...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: My point is Irish Water has taken feedback. This needs to be an ongoing process, which is what the forum is all about. A decision on a constitutional amendment is not for the forum.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I have just outlined what the forum is for and I do not believe doing something like this should be legislatively prescriptive. Senators have asked me to reflect - and they can laugh if they want - but I can only be honest with them. I will examine whether there is a process whereby the constitutional convention, or another body perhaps not of that scale, could examine this and what the...