Results 281-300 of 5,034 for speaker:Billy Timmins

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (16 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: 226. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding DIRT being taken from children's savings accounts; if there are institutions that do not charge children DIRT; his views on this matter; the way it impacts on encouraging children to save; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48238/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Liquidation (16 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: 228. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation junior bondholders will receive payment as part of the liquidation process; if there is a legal requirement to do so; and if so, if there are plans to amend the law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48287/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (16 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: 585. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of primary school pupils (details supplied) regarding their right to enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48441/14]

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: It reminds me of Shakespeare's words, "the loud and vacant laugh that spoke the vacant mind."

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: Do not take it too seriously. Historically, when a Government laughs at and slags off Opposition Members, it is generally in the dying days of an Administration.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: One of the great weaknesses of this Government has been the appointments to State boards. The section would allow the Minister to appoint up to 60 people in this respect. I suspect also-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: -----that if we had not had McNulty affair, the book written by John Walsh, the former adviser to the Minister for Education and Skills, would have articulated a view on the way people have been appointed to State boards. This could give rise to tremendous abuse. I see no worthwhile purpose in having a group that potentially could have a membership of 60 people who could meet every day of...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: This section represents what is probably one of the greater weaknesses with the legislation. In recent years we were obliged to listen to much talk about the abolition of the Seanad. In practice and theory, the section under discussion could be used to establish a forum with up to 60 members serving on it. They could possibly meet three days a week if they wished. There is nothing in the...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: I am opposed to this amendment not because of the amendment per sebut because it extends a concept which is flawed and a sign of weakness. I will elaborate on that to a greater extent when the section is debated. Surely the forum for Irish Water should be in this House. This Government promised us-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: I am just giving the basis for my opposition to the amendment. It is an extension of a flawed concept, so I cannot support it.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: I appreciate the Minister's comments. If we do not dispute his costs in refuting the argument from Deputy Donnelly, he is taking in more revenue than it costs to finance the operation. Let us say we agree in principle with that.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: It is a mathematical issue and this is not a matter of opinion. We are dealing with mathematical facts with respect to the 1.3 million households. There seems to be a mental block on the Government's side in this respect, which is a weakness. It is a mathematical fact there are at least 1.65 million households in the country. The Minister has argued that if a grant went out to every...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: It is a certain percentage. Even if there are 50,000 or 100,000-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: If all those households sign up, the cost must be greater than €130 million. That is where the argument does not stack up. Deputy Donnelly may disagree but if I give the Government the benefit of the doubt on the cost of financing the issue, the figure of 1.3 million households does not stack up. Where have the 365,000 houses disappeared to?

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: Yes.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: The Deputy should not scroll down; he might lose it.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: Houses or people?

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: This is a very simple issue and there should be a simple answer to it. If every eligible household in the country registered for Irish Water, how many households would register? If I am a tenant in a pre-1963 house on the North Circular Road in which there are nine units with nine different tenants on which property tax has been paid, would I be entitled to the conservation grant and would...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: I do not think that people are trying to entrap the Minister and I am certainly not doing so. I appreciate it has been a long day for him.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Billy Timmins: I ask for clarification because it is an important issue. The Minister mentioned the figure of 1.3 million primary residences. Does that mean that if someone has a rental property and it is let to tenants, the tenants will be paying water charges but they will not be able to receive the grant? Is that what we are talking about?