Results 18,241-18,260 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

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

Alan Kelly: In fairness, Senator Quinn knows I had no role in that.

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

Alan Kelly: I enjoyed this contribution. It was a good debate. In all honesty, I say to Senator Quinn that I stand by the commitment I have given with regard to anything brought forward. I do not say these things for the sake of it. However, it must be for the right reason. I can see the logic behind the amendment tabled by Senator Byrne, but there is a problematic core issue. The amendment states...

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

Alan Kelly: Let me finish. It is not necessary and not the route to go down. I welcome the comments made on the forum. In fairness, Senators of all political colours have said it is a good idea. I very much welcome this, and when we will discuss the section later I will welcome Senators supporting it. All that is in the Bill is the principle of it. The regulations on what will be in the forum will...

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

Alan Kelly: My point is Irish Water has taken feedback. This needs to be an ongoing process, which is what the forum is all about. A decision on a constitutional amendment is not for the forum.

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

Alan Kelly: I have just outlined what the forum is for and I do not believe doing something like this should be legislatively prescriptive. Senators have asked me to reflect - and they can laugh if they want - but I can only be honest with them. I will examine whether there is a process whereby the constitutional convention, or another body perhaps not of that scale, could examine this and what the...

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

Alan Kelly: The forum outlined in section 7 is a forum for customers. It will be prescribed after I send regulations to the joint Oireachtas committee and it sends them back to me, and then the forum will be established. It is for customers to give feedback on Irish Water's plans. I do not believe it is necessary to amend the Constitution on this issue, and I do not believe I can accept an amendment...

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

Alan Kelly: I will get a job.

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

Alan Kelly: The Senator is a Pioneer.

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

Alan Kelly: They do.

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

Alan Kelly: Of course Irish Water is involved in discussions because it is its job to be involved in discussions relating to how it plans to create capacity for investment into the future. It must be borne in mind that Irish Water is statutorily debarred from agreements which involve the transfer of its assets. Therefore, it can only raise finance external to that by loans because it cannot be done by...

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

Alan Kelly: I give that commitment.

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

Alan Kelly: The amendment proposes that the holding of a plebiscite would require a resolution from local authorities in addition to the resolution of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I obviously do not believe any future Government will want to privatise Irish Water, but It is important to point out that the will of the people is paramount. A decision in a plebiscite represents the will of the people; it...

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

Alan Kelly: I have responded.

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

Alan Kelly: We own the assets.

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

Alan Kelly: We have been around the houses on this. I have given as much of a commitment as I can give. With regard to the shares, the shares in Ervia are owned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, while the shares in Irish Water are owned by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local...

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

Alan Kelly: The board represents the shareholders.

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

Alan Kelly: It should also be pointed out that the investment by financing in Irish Water will not have a lien on the assets of the company.

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

Alan Kelly: The amendment relating to section 2 and the plebiscite, which was tabled by the Senators, states "or any of its assets or any part of its assets". I understand that the Senators may table further proposals on Report Stage and if they do so, I will look at them.

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

Alan Kelly: Of course. I consider all proposed amendments and accept them when appropriate. Irish Water's assets are owned by the company and I have already outlined how the ownership of the company is constituted and in whom shares are vested. Any potential alienation of the shares covers the assets.

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

Alan Kelly: It does.