Borrison/hk-legicost huggingface dataset:
這項計劃的公布背景，自然就是預算案，即賣地計劃可以勉強算是預算案的一部分，但偏偏立法會沒有機會正式審議。
The background for announcing the Programme is naturally associated with the Budget meaning that the Programme can roughly be treated as part of the Budget . Yet the Legislative Council does not have a chance to formally scrutinize the Programme
其實，賣地計劃正是決定基建開支是否有足夠的財務支持。
In fact it is exactly the Programme that determines whether there will be sufficient financial support for infrastructure development
如果立法會不討論賣地計劃，便無法履行《基本法》第七十三條賦予我們的職能：批准公共開支。
If the Legislative Council does not discuss the Programme we will be unable to discharge our function under Article 73 of the Basic Law to approve public expenditure
我亦會繼續摸索怎樣可以在立法會或財務委員會落實這個想法。
I will also keep exploring how to actualize such an idea in the Legislative Council or the Finance Committee
如果各位同事對如何打破我們無法討論這兩項議題的困局有任何想法，可以找我談談，因為基建正是香港公共財政的一把鎖。
If Members have any idea on how to break the stalemate concerning our inability to discuss the two matters they may talk to me for infrastructure is a lock affecting Hong Kongs public finance
由港珠澳大橋、廣深港高鐵，到今日保守估計4,000億元的東大嶼都會、數百億元的11號幹線、1,200億元幫地產商套現的新界東北發展等，其實我們明白為何財政司司長過去總要不斷強調"量入為出"，因為開支龐大。
The examples the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge the Guangzhou - Shenzhen - Hong Kong Express Rail Link the East Lantau Metropolis that costs some 400 billion based on a conservative estimate today Route 11 that costs several ten billion dollars and the North East New Territories development that costs some 120 billion and facilitates cashing out by developers we actually understand why the Financial Secretary kept reiterating keeping expenditure within the limits of revenues in the past . The reason is that huge sums of expenditure are involved
現時，基建工程做到一半，未付的款項還有3,000億元，未來數年，無論賣地成績多好，基本工程儲備基金仍然會進入赤字時代。
At present the infrastructure projects are half - completed and the outstanding amount has reached some 300 billion . In the coming years no matter how much money will be derived from land sales the Fund will inevitably face deficit
"靚地"、"貴地"全部賣給地產商，房屋政策毫無寸進，香港市民做樓奴，社福醫療繼續"吊鹽水"，環境成本不斷上升，本地農業與鄉郊社區越來越萎縮，全球氣候變化危機一旦來臨，我們一定束手無策，全無抵抗力。
Prime sites and pricey sites will all be sold to developers . No progress will be made to the housing policy and Hong Kong people will continue to be mortgage slaves while social welfare and health care continue to be on a saline drip . Environmental costs keep increasing and local agricultural and rural communities are shrinking; in the event of any crisis of global climate change we will certainly be rendered helpless due to our loss of immunity
這把基建的鎖一日不解開，預算案就未能就改善民生提供空間。
As long as the infrastructure lock remains unlocked the Budget will be unable to provide any room for livelihood improvement
其實大家都知道，就是香港要有一個民主政制。
Actually we all know that a democratic political system is the key for Hong Kong
很多民主派同事已經就預算案發表意見，建制派同事則一如既往，一邊對政府"少罵大幫忙"，一邊說我們又"拉布"，但其實立法會的角色是甚麼？
Many pro - democracy Members have already expressed their views on the Budget . Pro - establishment Members as always do great favours for the Government by just making a few criticisms on the one hand and blame us for filibustering on the other . But what roles does the Legislative Council actually play?
今天我很希望可以從立法會審批預算案過程中的局限和缺失，針對香港需要一個怎樣的立法會，一起尋找有意義的答案。
Today having regard to the restraints and inadequacies arising from the Legislative Councils scrutiny of the Budget I hope to join hands with Members to seek a meaningful answer to the question as regards what kind of a Legislative Council does Hong Kong need
基本法起草委員會主任委員姬鵬飛曾經說過："行政機關和立法機關之間的關係應該是既互相制衡又互相配合；為了保持香港的穩定和行政效率，行政長官應有實權，但同時也要受到制約。
The Chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Basic Law JI Pengfei once said that the executive authorities and the legislature should regulate each other as well as coordinate their activities . To maintain Hong Kongs stability and administrative efficiency the Chief Executive must have real power which at the same time should be subject to some restrictions
"立法會到本屆已是第六屆，我相信熟悉這個制度和了解立法會運作的香港市民，包括各位同事，到今時今日已深深明白，立法和行政關係從來都不是互相制衡又互相配合，而在絕大部分時間只有配合，沒有制衡。
As this is the Sixth Legislative Council I believe that Hong Kong people who are familiar with the system and well understand the operation of the Legislative Council including my Honourable colleagues would fully understand that nowadays the relationship between the executive authorities and the legislature is never one that involves the regulation of each other and coordination of activities . Instead it is one that involves coordination most of the time and no regulation whatsoever
功能界別當然是問題的其中一環，但《基本法》為香港的立法機關設下局限，並造成行政獨大的局面，而其中一個大家經常忽略的限制，便是香港的公共財政制度和程序，包括今天我們進行二讀的預算案撥款。
Functional constituencies certainly constitute part of the problem but the Basic Law has placed restraints on Hong Kongs legislature and given rise to executive dominance . One of the restraints we often ignore is the system and procedure pertaining to Hong Kongs public finance including the Budget of which the Second Reading is going on today
今天已經是2017年，建制派同事經常吹噓今天香港有多進步，中國有多強大，但現時規範立法會進行預算案撥款的程序究竟如何？
It is now 2017 pro - establishment Members often boast about the advancement of Hong Kong and the strength of China but what about the procedure for scrutinizing the Budget in the Legislative Council?
這個程序由殖民地時代開始運作，至今已接近180年。
This procedure has been put in place for around 180 years since the colonial era
其實，只有一種情況立法會可以行使實權，便是否決撥款法案，但這對立法機關來說是"自殺式襲擊"，因為如果我們否決了撥款法案，行政長官可以解散立法會，由此帶來的政治動盪和不可預測性極高。
In fact there is only one situation in which the Legislative Council can exercise its real power that is to veto the Appropriation Bill which is nonetheless a suicide bomb to the legislature . The reason is that if we veto the Appropriation Bill the Chief Executive can dissolve the Legislative Council bringing about political turbulence and a high degree of unpredictability
非常遺憾，我們只能遵從這套英國殖民地時代訂立的制度，難以做到甚麼。
Regrettably we must comply with the system put in place in the British colonial era and there is hardly anything we can do
那麼，審議撥款又有甚麼意義呢？
As such what is the point of scrutinizing the Budget?
我看了英國過去的討論，因為香港的制度源於英國制度。
I have reviewed past debates in the United Kingdom for Hong Kongs system originated from those of the United Kingdom
在19世紀，英國憲法理論家厄斯金梅說，國會審議的撥款其實是"把預定款項撥予政府個別服務的制度，以確定提交國會的預算有否反映於最終的開支模式。
In the 19 century constitutional theorist Erskine MAY indicated that appropriation scrutinized by the legislature was actually a system of attributing sums advanced to particular services of the Government for the purpose of establishing whether the estimates presented to Parliament were reflected in the eventual pattern of expenditure
這代表立法會審議預算案的標準，低到只看政府訂立的開支預算與政策目標有否衝突，或有否多用錢。
It means that the standard for the Legislative Council to scrutinize the Budget is so low that it only considers whether the estimates of expenditure formulated by the Government clash with its policy objectives or whether extra money is expended
所以，立法會議員提出的修正案既不能增加總目或分目的開支，亦不能刪去整個總目，只能提出在某分目中削減開支。
For this reason in their amendments Legislative Council Members can neither propose any increase in the expenditure under any heads or subheads nor delete the entire heads . Rather they can only propose to cut the expenditure under certain subheads
議員如果不同意政府的原有政策目標，該如何是好？
What if Members do not agree to the fundamental policy objectives of the Government?
我特別想指出的是，這種行政機關獨大且不透明，不用向立法會負責的用錢方法，可能很多同事會說是行之有效，但如果政府一直如此走下去，尤其是我們在今屆立法會財務委員會上已揭發種種財政醜聞，這套制度有一天總會"爆煲"。
I would like to highlight one point while many Members may regard that such kind of executive dominance which lacks transparency and accountability to the Legislative Council in respect of public expenditure has been functioning well if the Government insists on adopting this practice the system will eventually collapse as evident from a series of financial scandals uncovered in the Finance Committee of the current - term Legislative Council
中國經濟大局充滿變數，我們與中國的融合又偏偏越來越深入，越來越複雜，如此走下去，最終一定會導致行政和立法關係越來越差，香港的政治局勢亦會越來越不穩定。
The broad economy of China is fraught with uncertainties and as our integration with China is getting closer and more intricate the relationship between the executive authorities and the legislature will certainly be aggravated resulting in our political conditions being increasingly unstable
我相信大家都有尊嚴，很多同事剛剛到北京參加全國人民代表大會會議，我想大家都不想香港立法會矮化得像人大一樣，成為拍手通過議案的橡皮圖章。
I believe all Members are persons of dignity; some Members have just attended the National Peoples Congress NPC meetings held in Beijing I presume that none of us would like to see the Legislative Council of Hong Kong being degenerated to a rubber stamp like NPC the deputies to which merely clap hands to pass the motions presented
我們加入立法會，不是要被政府呼之則來，揮之則去，"搓圓按扁"，毫無牙力。
We do not join the Legislative Council for being brought under the Governments thumb and having no power at all
全世界的立法機關，除了獨裁政體外，不外乎只有兩個角色，一是立法，二是審議行政機關如何使用公帑。
All legislatures in the world other than authoritarian ones have to perform two roles first enact legislation and second examine how public funds are used by the executive authorities
如果我們對今天的情況， 對立法機關現時受到矮化和屈辱的情況視若無睹，心甘情願地配合政府，恐怕香港的立法機關遠遠不能擔當正常立法機關應有的角色和功能。
If we turn a blind eye to the current situation in which the legislature is being dwarfed and disgraced and willingly dovetail with the Government I am afraid that the legislature of Hong Kong can hardly play the aforesaid roles and perform the functions of a normal legislature
希望各位同事，特別是建制派同事，看看現時的情況，不要隨便指責其他議員"拉布"，而要探討我們如何能整體強化立法會審議預算案和守護公帑的功能。
I hope that Members particularly pro - establishment Members will consider the existing situation and refrain from arbitrarily accusing other Members of filibustering; they should instead explore how we as a whole can strengthen the Legislative Councils function of scrutinizing the Budget and guarding public money
我謹此陳辭，反對本年度的預算案。
With these remarks I oppose this years Budget
代理主席，我今天發言，先就食水問題對財政預算案作出回應。
Deputy President today my comment on the Budget will start with the drinking water issue
目前供應本港的食水，大約兩至三成來自本地收集的雨水，其餘七至八成則是從廣東省輸入的東江水。
At present while rainwater collected locally accounts for about 20 % to 30 % of the supply of drinking water for Hong Kong the Dongjiang water imported from Guangdong Province accounts for the remaining 70 % to 80 %
由於東江水是供港食水的主要來源，其水質當然備受關注。
As Dongjiang water is the main source of drinking water for Hong Kong its quality is of course a matter of great concern
就此，政府回應指出，如不鎖定供水額，當遇上百年一遇的旱季時，就無法保證香港可以全日供水，屆時便要限制用水。
In this connection the Government has pointed out in response that it is necessary to fix the water supply quantity otherwise in the event of a once - in - a - century draught it will be impossible to ensure round - the - clock water supply to Hong Kong . By then restriction on water consumption will be necessary
有學者曾研究有關供水協議是否合理；民主黨亦一直批評這份供水協議自2006年制訂後，在10年間也未曾好好檢討。
A scholar has conducted a research on the reasonableness of the Agreement . The Democratic Party has also been criticizing the Agreement for its lack of proper review in the past 10 years since its formulation in 2006
我們認為政府和發展局並沒有從香港人的利益出發，全力與廣東省政府協商出一個較合理，以及為香港人利益提供更大保障的供水協議。
In our view the Government and the Development Bureau have never from the perspective of Hong Kong peoples interests made an all - out effort to negotiate with the Guangdong Provincial Government for a more reasonable deal which can better protect our interests
首先，當中第一個問題出於統包制。
Firstly the first problem stems from the package deal
東江水並非只供港人飲用，廣東省東莞和深圳等地除在當地設有水塘外，亦有購入東江水。
Dongjiang water is not only supplied to Hong Kong people . Other places in Guangdong Province such as Dongguan and Shenzhen have also purchased Dongjiang water in addition to setting up local reservoirs
我希望政府今年稍後時間，會再與廣東政府協商供水協議，認真研究對香港更有利的供水協議，爭取按量收費。
I hope that the Government will negotiate the Agreement with the Guangdong Government again later this year . The Government should earnestly seek an agreement of water supply based on a quantity - based charging scheme which will be more favourable to Hong Kong
過去一段時間，人民幣不斷升值，以致我們購買的東江水越來越貴。
As RMB has been appreciating for a period of time in the past the Dongjiang water we have been purchasing has become more and more expensive
供水協議下統包制以人民幣結算，匯率因素過於重要。
Under the package deal Agreement RMB is the settlement currency resulting in excessive emphasis on exchange rates
隨着人民幣不斷升值，由2006年起，人民幣兌港元升值12%，而香港購買東江水的價格升幅更達92%。
With the constant appreciation of RMB the value of RMB has risen 12 % against Hong Kong Dollar since 2006 and the price of Dongjiang water purchased by Hong Kong has even risen by 92 %
如過去10年用按量收費方式支付東江水的話，香港合共可節省大約54億港元的開支。
Had a quantity - based charging scheme been adopted for the past 10 years Hong Kong could have saved about a total of HK5.4 billion on Dongjiang water
本港政府官員過去10年來有否躲懶，未盡全力替香港爭取更合理的東江水協議機制，以按量收費取代統包制？
In the past 10 years have Hong Kong government officials slacked off and failed to make an all - out effort to seek a more reasonable mechanism for Hong Kong under the Agreement by replacing the package deal with quantity - based charging?
與此同時，我們亦能預留珍貴的水資源予廣東的市民。
In the meantime we can also reserve the precious water resources to the residents of Guangdong
財政司司長亦在預算案表示，醫療衞生的經常開支預算總額為619億元，按年度修訂預算增加32億元，佔政府經常開支的17%。
The Financial Secretary has also indicated in his Budget that the total recurrent expenditure on health care will be 61.9 billion representing an increase of 3.2 billion year - on - year based on revised estimates and accounting for 17 % of government recurrent expenditure
主要的新措施包括增聘醫護人手，以及將長者醫療券的受惠年齡由70歲降至65歲。
Among the major new measures more health care personnel will be recruited and the eligibility age for the Elderly Health Care Vouchers will be lowered from 70 to 65
然而，增加開支是否就能改善現有服務？
However will the existing services improve simply by increasing expenditure?
公營醫療服務廣泛，種類繁多，每項服務都大有改善空間。
Many types of public health care services are widely available; and each and every one of them has much room for improvement
例如專科輪候時間、對精神病病人和認知障礙症服務的支援，以至基層醫療服務方面，均顯示香港的醫療服務亟需改善。
For example in respect of the waiting time for specialist services the service support for mental and dementia patients as well as primary health care services Hong Kongs health care services are apparently in dire need for improvement
我們期待政府在這些最弱環節投放更多資源，縮短專科服務的輪候時間。
We hope that the Government will allocate more resources to these weakest links in order to shorten the waiting time for specialist services
隨着香港人口老化，在不斷增加資源的同時，我們亦需增加醫護人手及縮短輪候時間。
In view of population ageing in Hong Kong as we continue to increase resources it is also necessary to recruit more health care personnel and shorten the waiting time
我至今仍看不到政府有採取甚麼有效措施，挽留公立醫院的醫護人員。
So far I still cannot see any effective measures taken by the Government to retain health care personnel of public hospitals
不單醫生，護士、物理治療師及相關資深員工都有離隊的趨勢。
There is a trend that not only doctors but also nurses physiotherapists and related veteran staff are leaving the public sector
關於認知障礙症的服務，我們希望政府投放更多資源，提升認知障礙症病人的診斷、確診及治療服務，以助他們延緩衰退；我們亦期望社會福利署能在社區提供足夠的支援。
As regards services for dementia patients we hope that the Government will allocate more sources to enhance the confirmation of diagnosis and treatment of dementia patients in order to defer their deterioration . We also hope that the Social Welfare Department can provide sufficient community support
他為未來作出的所謂財政撥備，竟然完全不包括託兒服務，令人非常憤怒和不滿。
Surprisingly his so - called financial provisions for the future have completely excluded child care services which is very infuriating and disappointing
本港面對人口老化的問題，應釋放婦女勞動力，令女性的人生有更多選擇。
Given the population ageing in Hong Kong it is necessary to unleash the labour force of women and offer women more choices in their life
主席，我發言支持《私營骨灰安置所條例草案》。
President I speak in support of the Private Columbaria Bill the Bill
《條例草案》來遲了1年，本應早在2016年7月份已獲通過。
The Bill has arrived a year late . It should have been passed as early as in July 2016
2008年我剛成為立法會議員，提出的第一項口頭質詢，便是有關私營骨灰龕場和殯儀業的發牌制度和法例問題。
When I first became a Member in 2008 the first oral question I raised was related to the licensing regime and legislation in respect of private columbaria and the funeral trade
區內居民最希望陰宅和陽宅分開，這是十分基本的住屋要求。
It is the biggest hope of local residents that housing for the living should be separated from housing for the dead . This is a very fundamental living requirement
這比雷曼事件更悲慘；對華人來說，為盡孝道，好好安葬先人十分重要。
If this really happened this incident would be even more deplorable than the Lehman Brothers incident . To Chinese people for the purpose of fulfilling filial piety proper interment of the deceased is vital
可悲的是，對普通家庭來說，10萬元、20萬元已是一個很大的數目。
Regrettably 100,000 or 200,000 is a large sum of money to ordinary families
如因為處理龕場發牌事件的問題，製造出更多龕位用家的苦主，這絕非我們所願。
It is absolutely not our hope to see more niche users being victimized as a result of the Governments handling of the licensing of columbaria
這便是陰宅和陽宅共存所造成的死局。
This is precisely the deadlock created by the coexistence of housing for the living and housing for the dead
以往任由龕場賣廣告，黃金龕場便是其中一個例子。
In the past columbaria could post advertisements at will . One of the examples is the golden columbarium
因此，我絕對不希望申索人為此事打官司。
Hence I absolutely do not hope that the claimants will file a lawsuit over their claim
我認為這項修訂可取，可視為一種妥協，無須牽涉親屬的定義或更具爭議性的同性伴侶定義。
I consider this amendment desirable as it can be regarded as a form of compromise which makes it unnecessary to involve the definition of kinship or the even more controversial definition of same - sex spouse
這是一個折衷的方案，我認為值得考慮。
This is a compromise which I consider worthy of consideration
《條例草案》涉及婚姻的定義，因而亦觸及其他眾多條例中涉及婚姻和配偶的定義，也關乎權益的問題。
As the Bill involves the definition of marriage it will thus also have to do with the definitions of marriage and of spouse in numerous other ordinances and the rights and interests involved
我十分認同政府的建議，有助將爭議減到最少。
I strongly support the Governments amendments which will be conducive to minimizing disputes
我亦呼籲同事支持政府的方案，令《條例草案》順利獲得通過。
I also urge colleagues to support the Governments amendments so that the Bill can be successfully passed
代理主席，我謹此陳辭，期望《條例草案》能盡快獲得通過。
With these remarks Deputy President I hope that the Bill can be passed expeditiously
主席，我發言支持《私營骨灰安置所條例草案》的二讀。
President I speak in support of the Second Reading of the Private Columbaria Bill the Bill
我相信這是很多香港市民，特別是有親人過身的市民等待已久，希望立法會在今個會期內盡快通過的《條例草案》。
I believe that many Hong Kong people especially those who have recently lost their beloved ones are eager to see the expeditious passage of this long - awaited Bill by the Legislative Council in this current session
與其說這項《條例草案》有新建樹，不如說是政府對過往的政策失誤作出補救。
Instead of saying that this Bill has made a contribution I might as well describe it as a rectification of the past policy blunders of the Government
當然，有關政策失誤的責任未必在今屆政府官員或高局長，而事實上，停止興建公營骨灰安置所確是上屆政府的決定。
Surely government officials of the current - term Government including Secretary Dr KO might not be held accountable for these policy blunders because the decision to cease the building of public columbaria was actually made by the last - term Government
最近，由於一些私營龕場的經營者預計《條例草案》生效後會對他們構成影響，於是便在4月5日召開記者會，聲稱不獲發牌的私營龕場的龕位將多達二三十萬個，高於政府估計的8萬個。
Recently as some private columbaria operators anticipated that they might be affected upon the commencement of the Bill they held a press conference on 5 April claiming that as many as 200 000 to 300 000 niches in private columbaria might not be granted license which was higher than 80 000 as predicted by the Government
如果政府估計受影響的龕位只有8萬個，屆時將如何處理二三十萬個龕位？
If the Government estimates that only 80 000 niches are affected how is it going to deal with 200 000 to 300 000 niches?
這做法真的很有趣，等於有人犯法卻要求政府不要執法，因為他們犯法令市民被騙，所以一旦政府執法，市民便會被趕走。
This proposal is interesting in the sense that it is tantamount to asking the Government not to enforce the law against lawbreakers who have cheated the public for once the law is enforced people who have been cheated will suffer further
無論在討論這項《條例草案》時或較早前的立法會會議上，我們均曾表示，希望政府可以加大力度做好綠色殯葬。
During the scrutiny of the Bill and at the previous Council meetings we have asked the Government to promote more vigorously green burial
很多地方，例如日本和韓國均已經實行，為何香港永遠落後於人？
Many places including Japan and Korea have already adopted such practices how come Hong Kong always lags behind others?
其實，很多違規龕場之所以能生存甚至繼續蒙騙消費者，主要是由於其他政府部門疏忽所致，我特別指地政總署和規劃署。
In fact the major reason why so many unauthorized columbaria are able to survive and even continue to cheat consumers is due to negligence on the part of some government departments particularly the Lands Department LandsD and the Planning Department PlanD
由於政府過往的政策失誤，沒有興建足夠的龕位，致使他們須支付大 量金錢為先人購置龕位，所以他們絕對是無辜的。
Owing to the Governments policy blunders in the past there is a shortage of niches and consumers are forced to pay huge amount of money to buy niches to inter the ashes of their ancestors . Hence they are absolutely innocent
現時，最大問題是要在這段時間提供臨時龕位，政府的8萬個龕位是不足夠的。
At present the biggest problem is the provision of temporary niches during this period of time . The 80 000 niches to be provided by the Government is not enough
政府有沒有可能安排在規劃署、地政總署或產業署位於新界的空置建築物內，臨時放置這些骨灰？
Is it possible for the Government to identify certain vacant buildings of PlanD LandsD or the Government Property Agency in the New Territories for temporary storage of ashes?
我認為這是政府必須考慮的，因為現時全港有很多已荒廢的村校或建築物適合作為臨時安放骨灰之用。
I think this is the option that the Government should explore given that there are currently many abandoned village schools or buildings in Hong Kong that are suitable for temporary storage of ashes
至於違規龕場，我希望將來的執法工作會更為清晰，但這畢竟與《條例草案》所訂私營骨灰安置所發牌委員會及上訴委員會的權力有關。
As for the unauthorized columbaria I hope that the future enforcement actions will be more specific . After all this is related to the power vested in the Private Columbaria Licensing Board and the Appeal Board under the Bill
很可惜，我看不到發牌委員會的組成具有很大的透明度，而這亦將引發發牌委員會有否足夠認受性的問題，並導致其處理手法引起公眾非議。
To my regret I fail to see that the constitution of the Licensing Board has a high degree of transparency . This will not only lead to the publics query about the credibility the Licensing Board but also their disapproval of its practices
我很希望這些委員會日後在處理發牌工作及建議政府如何執法時，真的可以幫助政府，而不是像現時多個法定委員會般拉着政府的後腿。
I eagerly hope that these two boards can really be a help to the Government in respect of processing license applications and advising on how law enforcement actions should be taken and that they will not as in the case of many statutory bodies at present be a drag on the Government
此外，在《條例草案》生效後，我們希望多個政府部門，包括食環署、屋宇署、地政總署及規劃署均能嚴謹執法。
Furthermore after the Bill comes into operation we hope that a number of government departments including FEHD Buildings Department LandsD and PlanD will strictly enforce the law
雖然在《條例草案》的商議過程中，不同的部門均表明政府已於2014年進行凍結，但我們真的很擔心，因為由凍結至今，究竟有沒有人偷龍轉鳳？
Although different departments had indicated during the scrutiny of the Bill that a cut - off time was set in 2014 we are very concerned if there is any under - the - table transaction since then
有沒有人繼續霸佔官地？
Has anyone continued to occupy Government land illegally?
根據現時城規會的申請守則，申請人可以無限次提出申請，在申請遭否決後依然可以再次提交申請。
According to the application criteria laid down by TPB an applicant may submit application for unlimited times and a new application can be submitted after the previous application is turned down
我很擔心這漏洞會繼續助紂違規龕場繼續霸佔官地，非法佔用土地，甚至利用不良手法繼續欺騙消費者購買這些違規龕位。
I am gravely worried that this loophole may encourage unauthorized columbaria operators to continue occupying Government land illegally or even continue using unscrupulous means to mislead consumers into buying their unauthorized niches
此外，還有一點未必與《條例草案》存在直接關係，就是公營龕位的配售制度。
Furthermore there is another point that may not be directly related to the Bill and that is the allocation system of public niches
大家應該記得，申訴專員對於食環署的做法很有意見，認為現時的抽籤制度是在懲罰後人，特別是較早前剛有親人過身的後人，因為現時並沒有任何機制幫助他們獲得較合理的分配。
Members may recall that The Ombudsman had expressed strong views about the practice adopted by FEHD saying that the balloting exercise was indeed a punishment to the descendants especially those who have recently lost their family members and there is currently no other mechanism that can offer a more reasonable allocation
有人提出而申訴專員亦曾建議採用先登記，後配售的方法，並以此取代現時的抽籤方法。
Some suggested and The Ombudsman also proposed that the Government should adopt the first registration then allocation approach to replace the existing balloting exercise
這個狹小得連人亦容不下的城市，我們真的很悲慘，但我相信只要引入新的或更先進的觀念，並抱持開放的態度，便可以處理龕位的問題。
In this tiny city in which even the living cannot be tolerated we are indeed very miserable but I believe that by introducing new or more advanced concepts and by adopting an open attitude problems relating to niches can be resolved