Results 46,761-46,780 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I appreciate that the Minister is trying to answer the questions and we are making progress here. The estimated amount that will be raised is €271 million. I presume that includes the 50% who beat the meter. The cost of payments under the €100 grant arrangement is some €130 million, which leaves a net position of €141 million. Deputy Shortall and I are asking...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I appreciate the Minister's responses and this will be my final contribution. The figure of €271 million has a cost of €130 million, although that has been questioned. Maybe it is €130 million or maybe it is €190 million. The Minister does not have a figure for the cost of billing. The figure I have that is used abroad is that the low end in Ireland would come...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: The question I asked is straightforward and is very important for the House. Let me repeat it. What is the net financial position of the money raised in section 3 through domestic charges less the cost of raising that money less the cost of the grant in section 5? Does the Minister know the answer? If so, can he please tell us?

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I will submit the parliamentary questions. However, we are at Committee State of legislation that the Minister is tabling and it is reasonable for me to ask whether he currently knows. My assumption is the Minister does not know. I appreciate he will go and find the answer. My concern is that the Minister is proposing legislation, which will tax people and which will send €100...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: What is?

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I did not.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: The question is as follows. Section 3 will raise money from domestic charges and there is a cost associated with raising that money. There is a cost associated with section 5, which sends €100 cheques around the country. The context is this. I am checking whether the cost of raising the revenue is more than the revenue that will come in. I believe it will cost the State to charge...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: Yes, I am.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: The Minister asked me to repeat the question.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: Deputy Walsh's colleague, the Minister-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: No. The Minister has not told me; he asked me to repeat the question.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: The Minister asked me to repeat the question.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I am.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: The Minister asked me to repeat the calculation I am looking for. It is the net position to the State-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: -----which is the value of the money raised minus the cost of raising that money minus the cost of the grant.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: Amendment No. 26 in my name, which deals with people's ability to pay, was ruled out of order because it was deemed to be not relevant to the provisions of the Bill. Why an amendment-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: -----that deals with charging is not relevant to a Bill that also deals with charging is beyond me. However, the usual gymnastics seem to have been performed in respect of Standing Orders.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I would love to know how an ability to pay clause-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: -----is not relevant to the Bill. I would talk to them, but they would inform me that I should talk to the Ceann Comhairle and he would simply back them up, regardless of what they decide.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: That has been my experience so far.