Results 17,801-17,820 of 20,884 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: Anger is not a policy and it is not a strategy. Democracy is about argument and discussion and about how we ensure our country goes forward, not about tearing down institutions on which the State is built. I am afraid, dare I say it, given what is going on in the other House, that there is an element of that creeping into society, which is about tearing down institutions. No solutions, no...

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I used to sit over there.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: Senator Bacik and Senator Ó Murchú and the Cathaoirleach remember me. In the programme for Government, in our statement of priority, preparation work for the establishment of the electoral commission is being advanced with a view to bringing forward legislation for the establishment of such a commission in 2015. The Senator is correct that this was mentioned by the Tánaiste....

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: We do not know yet. The drawing of constituency boundaries is an issue on which we may have to think outside the box and how that happens into the future. Ireland has changed. The number of Deputies per constituency is reflected in the Constitution but there is a pull towards the conurbation of Dublin. I can see my county of Tipperary and that of Senator Ó Murchú, to which I...

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I represented those areas before. I will probably be the only person on the ballot paper who represented both sides of the county previously, because as an MEP I represented them all. It is a source of huge regret that an area beside me, Borrisokane, Ardcroney, a part of the county has gone to Offaly. If elected, I would still represent them because I feel duty bound. That whole issue...

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: Yes, they changed in 1948.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: They would not be called that now.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I would say what the Senator is saying is true. I do not do it myself.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: How about those who tell one they voted for one the last time and then one can check it.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: Data protection might be a bit of a problem there.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: The commission does.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I was chair of Labour Youth that year.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I just had flashbacks.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: One would need a hot water bottle here.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: They will be exempt.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I outlined the position on loans last night with €150 million to be transferred. Group water schemes, which are the backbone of rural Ireland and which many Members are vocal about, will be exempt from rates. This is critically important because the people running them have worked for decades to provide an adequate water infrastructure for their localities. Local authorities...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: The company paid €198,000 in County Mayo and €760,000 in my own county.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: We are exempting these from rates through the legislation. This is a pass through cost which supports Irish Water in what it is doing. It is the right thing to do. The company will be exempt from rates. It is a case of one side of the Exchequer paying another side.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: A number of Members expressed concern about the cost base and the market corporation test but this is a helpful component. Another Member asked about PwC. I have to accept the assumptions the company used and the work that was done. There has been a great deal of commentary about the CER. It is not up to me or anyone else to second guess the regulator, which is an independent authority...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: It is a pass through cost.