Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government

Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Revised)

4:30 pm

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I asked questions on the cost of consultants and the cost of establishing Irish Water. If I remember correctly, advertising on the local property tax stated revenue would be used for parks, libraries, lights and paths. I heard the Minister and Minister of State Deputy O'Dowd say this many times. It now turns out that the €550 million landed into the Local Government Fund and that the Government pulled €490 million from that for the Irish Water subvention. The Minister can talk about this in whatever way he likes but the fact is that he put the money into a drum and pulled it back out again. He should not try to distort that in any way.

Of the money that is being spent, how much will be spent this year on rehabilitation in respect of leaks in the public network? This is a straight question and I demand a straight answer. The Minister answered the question on grants for septic tanks.

On the establishment of Uisce Éireann, the Minister and his officials have given figures. The Taoiseach gave figures also. I heard the Minister say the establishment of Uisce Éireann would save €2 billion over seven years. The cost of water services is to become more expensive. On this matter, I will make a bet of €50 or €100 with the Minister that my projections are correct. The Chairman can hold the bet and I will collect the winnings in a few years.

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