Results 1,941-1,960 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Order of Business (4 Oct 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: Whatever might be done for first-time buyers in next week's budget, we all know that the real problem is supply. In view of the fact that there are suitable vacant sites throughout the country for the construction of houses, has the Taoiseach considered bringing forward the vacant sites levy by one year - to next year - in order to activate such sites, particularly those in our cities?

Order of Business (4 Oct 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: The vacant site levy would also achieve that.

Order of Business (4 Oct 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has one from me as well.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Funding (4 Oct 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: 469. To ask the Minister for Health if a registered charity (details supplied) will be adequately funded in view of the fact that it is the only residential detoxification and treatment service for adolescents here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28599/16]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Charge (4 Oct 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: 568. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to replace the television licence fee with a broadcasting charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28523/16]

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: We should recognise that positive things are being done because we have a desperate water infrastructure. That needs to be addressed and we need to be honest about it. It is becoming clearer that Sinn Féin and the Anti-Austerity Alliance want general income taxpayers to pay for water. At least they are acknowledging that it has to be paid for one way or the other. If it is paid...

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: Let us have a little honesty about this issue. Water is not free. It falls out of the sky free but it is not free by the time it reaches people's taps and is ready to drink. That needs to be acknowledged. We will oppose the Government amendment and we will oppose the motion if it comes to a vote but I presume it will not because the amendment will win with Fianna Fáil supporting...

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: A Chathaoirligh, on a point of order-----

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: There is a separation - this matter is before the courts. The Chair needs to be aware of that.

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: This is not in order.

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy is entirely out of order.

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am not standing for this. The Chair must control the Chamber.

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: Whether it is groundhog day or the Kama Sutra, it has none of the excitement of the Kama Sutra.

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: It has more of the absurdity of a Samuel Beckett play than anything else. It is "Waiting for Godot" and we are all taking the same positions in part two. We had exactly the same debate on 23 May on a motion tabled by more or less the same people. On that occasion there was an amendment tabled by Fianna Fáil and in this case there is an amendment tabled by the Government. Everyone is...

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: We are saying the same thing.

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: Obviously, the Minister was not going to change his position. Sinn Féin stated it was in the House to put pressure on the Government, but the Minister has made his position clear. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh:He is part of the Government.

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: He is passing everything to a commission with the support of Fianna Fáil. It is all contrived and has been deferred to some time next March. Everybody is playing the same game and it is getting us nowhere. We could have used the time much more effectively in the debate. I will say pretty much what I said the last time. There is one difference in this debate - the wording of the Sinn...

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: The people involved are on the average industrial wage and include nurses and bus drivers, as well as those who already pay for water from their own wells or group supplies. I address this to Fianna Fáil also. These are the people Sinn Féin is asking to pay for the excessive use of water by the rich and careless. It does not matter how much water someone uses, it will be paid for...

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I say the same to AAA-PBP Members. It is not a left-wing position to take that everything should be paid for through income tax-----

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (28 Sep 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: -----by the person who gets up and does a day's work and is part of a progressive taxation system. People start paying at the high rate of tax on a relatively low income. They are the ones Sinn Féin is asking to pay for the excessive use of water. I reiterate our position. Whether it is popular - we lost a lot of seats in the general election - it is our position-----