Results 541-560 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: The standard is that the tank must work. That is what it is there for.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: Would the Senator volunteer anything different?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I will conclude. The reality is that it is unfair and unsound to wind people up and torment them-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: There is no extra charge. In fact, it costs less under this scheme being introduced by the Minister, Deputy Hogan. It is a one-off charge to have one's tank registered. The Members on the other side told us that it would be an annual charge of €350-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: -----but the reality is that the conduct of Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív and other members of Fianna Fáil on this matter is a disgrace. A one-off registration charge, after which the local authority will inspect and advise the person about their tank, free of charge, is an absolute miracle in the circumstances. Not only does this comply with the EU court ruling, and if we do not comply with that...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: -----but it also safeguards the water courses, group water schemes, wells and ground waters for the families who live in rural areas and chose to build one-off houses in those areas. I know of no sensible person who opposes this scheme.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: The Senator is scaremongering.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: The Senator is found out, his hypocrisy is exposed.

Seanad: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: As Senator Healy Eames has a pressing engagement, she wishes to raise her matter first.

Seanad: Crime Prevention (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to raise this matter. While this matter comes within the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality, given the environmental dimension, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government may also have a responsibility in this regard. I am sure the Minister of State will clarify the position for me. What does the Government...

Seanad: Crime Prevention (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I welcome that there is a multi-agency and cross-departmental response on this issue. I await publication of the forum's plan. I welcome also that the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government continue to examine what additional measures or strengthening legislation might be necessary to curb what is not a casual matter but a...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I wish to share time with Senator Kelly.

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I commend the Fine Gael Senators for tabling this positive and progressive motion which gives us an opportunity to air our concerns on these issues. Anyone who takes from it a proposal to privatise the national grid is bending it like Beckham. It is unfortunate that some people are throwing everything bar the kitchen sink into the equation. The only thing Senator Byrne did not mention was...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: That seems to be the only flaw he did not find with this motion.

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: With his background and qualifications in this area I take seriously and am very interested in everything Senator Barrett says, and it is something we should take into account. There are those who believe that while renewables are the way forward and are commendable, there is a fear that it could be the next bubble, so to speak, that might not be sustainable in the long term. That is...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: Stag hunting.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: On a point of order, a Chathaoirligh, what has stag hunting to do with septic tanks?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: That is over the top.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: What is wrong with carrying out soil tests?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

John Whelan: I am sure none of Senator Whelan's constituents would want an inspector arriving on his or her lawn with a JCB to dig a trial hole.