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Results 101-120 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: All year.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: I have every respect and serious regard for the comments and contributions of Senator Barrett, who is an expert in this area, as he has raised genuine issues and concerns. However, I thought the purpose of today was to start again. When Governments do not listen to people and when Ministers ignore people they are accused of being arrogant and detached. The Minister for the Environment,...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: Having made this admission, he was accused of capitulation and performing a U-turn. I wish we could be honest and fair with each other and stop playing politics, because this issue is too serious and important.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: Colleagues on the other side have raised serious issues. Senator Feargal Quinn mentioned PPS numbers, and that was a genuine issue, but it has been resolved.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: The issue of public ownership was raised by Senators on all sides. Fianna Fáil tabled a motion on a referendum, which was supported by this side of the House.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: The Minister has copperfastened the matter and embedded it in legislation.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: We accept that the original establishment of Irish Water was an unmitigated debacle and disaster. It was a carousel of cronyism and consultancy fees, but this has been stripped down and put right. The Minister's intervention will be a lasting one. We should not be here today trying to pass this legislation, as the establishment of Irish Water and legislation on metering should have...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: We had water charges previously but they were called rates. It is rich for people today to speak of the playing politics, because rates were abolished with one stroke of a pen to steal an election in 1977, the previous occasion on which Fianna Fáil bankrupted the country. As a result of that measure, county councils did not have a penny for water and sewerage systems, so lead pipes...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: I am putting facts on the record. The reality is that it would cost €2 billion per annum for 20 years just to maintain, restore and upgrade a system that is creaking and breaking at the seams. Do people want us to strip this money from housing, hospitals and schools? The funding must be found somewhere and, whether we like it or not, the only mechanism is to set up an entity similar...

Seanad: Geological Survey of Ireland: Statements (Resumed) (2 Dec 2014)

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

Seanad: Geological Survey of Ireland: Statements (Resumed) (2 Dec 2014)

John Whelan: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I am pleased we are discussing this issue because geography is a subject near and dear to my heart. The Minister of State touched on the educational aspect in his contribution. I was very fortunate to have an enthusiastic geography teacher, Noel Maher, principal of St. Paul's secondary school in Monasterevin, who instilled his love and regard for the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Health Services (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I thank the Minister for the reply. It provides clarity but I am dismayed and disappointed. I will not leave it at that. The grant of €3,700 per annum is paltry considering the scale and extent of services. The HSE is downplaying the significance of the role of this day care centre because it goes well beyond the remit. In terms of the well-being of the senior citizens who enjoy...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Health Services (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I have long been of the view that how we treat our senior citizens in the autumn of their years will be one of the crucial yardsticks by which we will be judged not only as a Government but as a society. Every since I was fortunate to be elected to the Seanad, almost four years ago, I have always tried to address issues by looking at the bigger...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: It would be remiss of me today not to pay tribute to the Tánaiste, Deputy Joan Burton, and to commend her and our colleague, Senator Katherine Zappone, for their dignity, courage and composure and for the consideration they showed at all times for the welfare, well-being and safety of others, with no regard for their own welfare. It is sufficient to say that what we saw and what was...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: With respect, a number of other speakers spoke on four and five items. I am addressing only one issue with regard to industrial peace-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I appreciate that and I will conclude. I would also like to extend the same invitation to the ASTI and the TUI leadership to withdraw from the proposed strike action with regard to reform of the junior cycle. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, has brought forward very fair concessions which have not been put to the membership. Many teachers I have spoken to are...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: I will be particularly brief in speaking to the Title. As someone who broke ranks early on without any direction or instruction from anyone and who is still here to tell the tale, I would say that the Whip system is not as cruel as people make out. I defied Government direction and policy on the referendum and, along with other colleagues, prevailed in preserving and retaining the Seanad....

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: There were far worse consequences. I echo the sentiments voiced by Senators Bacik, Mooney and Barrett regarding the House's debate yesterday on Irish Water. I commend the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, on the good grace, dignity, poise and humility he displayed. He put his hands up and acknowledged that unacceptable mistakes had been made in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: Yes. Can anyone explain to me how we can fix or replace lead pipes, stop pumping raw sewage into our rivers, streams and seas, replace 490,000 septic tanks, secure a sustainable water supply for this city, build new reservoirs and ensure a safe supply of water for companies like those attending the web summit about which we have been boasting without investing in a creaking Victorian...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

John Whelan: We should reconvene the debate so that the House might continue teasing out these issues.

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