Results 22,921-22,940 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: This is a suspension, not an abolition. If we did not have any future date then we would not have a clear suspension period. The commitment given in the amendment is for a nine-month suspension, which can be extended if the committee needs more time to carry out its work, and if the Minister judges that the time is necessary or if the committee asks for more time. If we had no end date...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: Yes, that is my understanding.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: Yes. We are debating amendments Nos. 2 and 4. Amendments Nos. 3, 5 and 6 have been ruled out of order.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I do not make the decision.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I meant to answer the question. There will be no billing during this period. Obviously arrears that have built up in advance of 1 July of this year still stand but there is not going to be a pursuing of bills or arrears during the nine-month period. In other words, we are trying to freeze all billing activity during the nine-month period in order to create, if possible, a space for...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: What was the Deputy's second question?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: Yes, let us first deal with the Bill if that is agreeable.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: My response to both of the Deputy's questions is that the period is not openended. We are talking about providing an extension of time to allow the committee to complete its work. It is a nine-month suspension and if more time is needed to allow the committee to complete its work, let us say they ask for time or if the Minister believes that the committee needs more time, then this...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: -----and I am happy to have a discussion on how we can reassure people who may be sceptical or may have concerns about future public ownership of Irish Water's infrastructure. Perhaps the Oireachtas committee will make recommendations on this but we will have to wait and see. I have an open mind on it. I know a referendum seems like a solution, but referendums sometimes have knock-on...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: There are a multiplicity of issues around water, on how we pay for it, how it is delivered. The point of setting up a commission and also having a special Oireachtas committee to look at all those issues are that some issues the Deputy raises now can be teased out. What we are trying to facilitate now is a very simple piece of amending legislation that allows for the suspension of water...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: We could do loads of things in this Bill. We are doing what we committed to do. There will be an opportunity to debate all the other issues at a later stage within the process that this nine month period is facilitating.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 7:In page 3, to delete lines 27 to 31, and in page 4, to delete lines 1 and 2 and substitute the following:“(b) Where the Minister is informed by the committee that it will not complete its work on or before 31 March 2017 or is otherwise satisfied that the committee will not complete its work on or before that date, he or she may, on or before that date, make an...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: It does. Let us be clear on what the amendment provides. It states: "Where the Minister is informed by the committee that it will not complete its work on or before 31 March 2017 or is otherwise satisfied that the committee will not complete its work on or before that date, he or she may, on or before that date, make an order extending the first-mentioned period for such further period". It...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 9:In page 4, to delete lines 15 to 24 and substitute the following:“(d) Notwithstanding section 21(1) of the No. 2 Act of 2013, Irish Water shall not charge for water services provided to a dwelling in respect of any period specified in an order under paragraph (b) or (c).”. I propose to take amendments Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, together. I have brought...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 10:In page 4, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:"(e) Irish Water shall not—(i) before 31 March 2017, (ii) (in circumstances where an order is made under paragraph (b)) before the expiration of the period specified in that order, (iii) (in circumstances where an order is made under paragraph (c)) before the expiration of the period specified in that...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 11:In page 4, line 25, to delete "(e) In" and substitute "(f) In".

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I thank the select committee, in particular the clerk, and members for facilitating this meeting at short notice. There are time considerations involved in passing this legislation.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to respond to the issue raised by Deputies Ó Broin and Coppinger on the expert commission. I spoke to the chair of the commission today and yesterday and I am aware of some commentary and criticism made of a media interview he did and his personal views on water. The chair of the commission will make a personal statement on that issue later this afternoon and I would...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I do not propose to get into a long debate on this issue.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee (5 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: In that case, I will respond to both Deputies together.