Results 20,921-20,940 of 26,152 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is it not fair to say that Irish Water spent €50 million of taxpayers’ money without knowing how it was going to be treated? This is the kernel of this discussion.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is the €50 million spending on the part of Irish Water or Bord Gáis? Will it find its way onto the balance sheet and revenue account of Bord Gáis or Irish Water?

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: €50 million.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: What balance sheet will it be on?

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: I suggest that the committee go back. The witnesses should know when they spend €50 million of taxpayers’ money whether it will be regarded as revenue or as an asset that will generate revenue. I do not want to labour the point but it is a critical one for the ordinary person looking in, whether Irish Water is buying an asset or giving out consultants’ fees.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: Mr. Dempsey regards them as something that will end up as a fixed asset in the balance sheet of Irish Water.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will ask two quick questions. When Irish Water presents it to the CER will it present it as a fixed asset or as a revenue item? CER might expand on this too. This is a critical point.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have limited time. The CER cannot make the decision until Irish Water makes its presentation to it.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: A total of €50 million has already been spent and Irish Water is not able to tell me whether it regards that as a revenue expense or as an asset. When will Irish Water know that? That is a critical underlying point. I will ask again because it is the kernel of the issue.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: Why does Mr. Dempsey not know this already? Why was €50 million of taxpayers’ money spent when no one could say they would regard it as an asset? Why did Mr. Tierney come out publicly and give the ordinary person the impression that this was €50 million paid to consultants for nothing tangible when it is clear-----

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: Mr. Tierney regards this as an asset as distinct from revenue spending.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: Fine.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: May I move on from that point because I think we have clarified that?

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: Correct.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: With due respect to Mr. Barry, why did Mr. Tierney not explain that to the public over the past week? Why did I have to ding-dong for the past ten minutes to get an answer that actually clarifies the point?

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is fine. Can I move on to a couple of points in the limited time that I have? When Bord Gáis went into the electricity market, my understanding is that it was effectively able to use its billing system at relatively low cost. Why did the same not happen in the establishment of Irish Water? One of the reasons that Bord Gáis is the provider is that it brought this synergy...

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: Mr. Barry can give me a short answer.

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have two final questions. On the issue of procurement, my understanding was that 28 contracts have effectively been granted to date for various different projects. How many of those were given that did not go out to tender, that were extensions for existing contractors within Bord Gáis? I have further questions. Mr. Tierney stated that every contract worth over €10 million...

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome all of the witnesses. I will set out our role as I see it. The citizen looking in is entitled to clarity on the breakdown of costs, what they are for and the service he will be provided with. I want to go into those areas. I have no wish to go over old ground because much of it was covered yesterday at the environment committee. However, I wish to deal with some of the main...

Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Kieran O'Donnell: Mr. Dempsey is missing the point. The bottom line for the public looking in at the moment is that if some of this €50 million is regarded as spending on infrastructure, it is a different situation from one in which it is regarded as consultants' fees. That matter needs clarification. With due respect to Mr. Dempsey, giving me, dare I say it, a technical accountant's answer is not...