Results 241-260 of 2,438 for speaker:Caít Keane

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (21 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: I will take him outside and give him a private lesson.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (21 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: It is used by the ESB.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: I want to comment briefly on the valid point made by Senator Fidelma Healy Eames. When she discussed the matter with me I pointed out that according to the regulations, the staff ratio for preschool children aged three to six years is 1:8. The issue is a valid one to raise, and I asked the Leader earlier to take it up with the Minister for Education and Skills, particularly on safety...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: I am sorry, although I am sure he will not mind-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: -----because in terms of rehousing people he is almost a one man band, although he has volunteers. In terms of the problem of homelessness, we might consider having a dedicated officer in each county to determine the number of people who are homeless. Mr. and Mrs. Average who find themselves homeless might be interested in moving to the country. We should look anew at that. About ten...

Seanad: Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: At 12.30 p.m. on Monday.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: Senator Ó Clochartaigh is giving the impression any operator carrying waste does not have a permit which is not the case. Section 37 outlines the conditions attached to getting a permit which are more stringent than those in the original legislation. Senator Ó Clochartaigh is insinuating there will be a free-for-all in disposal for waste carriers. This Bill is actually...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: It is not a game, but a very serious business.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: We all know the type of water we have had to endure.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: We need safe, clean water. Although we have had many good times, we have not had clean water. Local authorities did their best, but were not given the funding during the good times to correct the water system. I am from Clifden and lived near Leenane. The Senator did not mention the new treatment plant that is being constructed in Clifden. For the first time since I was born, we will...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: I live in Dublin, which a Stanford University study identified as the second most vulnerable city in the world to future water shortages. We might ask why that is, given that it rains every day. We must be realistic. It is not a game but a serious job. The Government is correcting the shortages. We are dependent on foreign direct investment. Intel in County Kildare uses water daily, and...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: I am coming from a realistic situation.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: Those who can afford to pay want to pay and will pay. Those who cannot afford to pay will be facilitated, and is said loud and clear.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: Senator Darragh O'Brien's party is not against water charges.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: We are the only country in Europe that does not have water charges. Water conservation is also important.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: It was shown that it is possible to come in 40% under the quota of the metering system if one conserves water. We must work harder on this. The €100 conservation grant will go to every household that registers with Irish Water, even those that do not pay a charge. Everybody must be encouraged.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: How does one do it? I am doing it. I got my oil tank cleaned out without spending any money and I am collecting rainwater from my roof and bringing it into my system. One can get a tap in Woodies DIY shop for €40 and put it into a tank.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: I have lots of water and I live in Dublin.

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: As well as making economic sense, the driving force behind the introduction of water charges is the legal obligation to recover the cost of water services under article 9 of the water framework directive. That is why the last Government had to sign up to it. There was no choice. The EU water framework directive is based on the principle of the polluter pays and there is a legal obligation...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Caít Keane: I know the Members opposite are sensible when they actually think about it, and they know it is right but they just have to say it is wrong. I think politics would be an awful lot better if we all admitted that charging for water is the right thing to do. Those who cannot afford to pay will be facilitated and will have clean water. I am from Clifden and have paid water charges all my life....