Results 3,061-3,080 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

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: It is clear at this stage that the Government does not know the net financial impact for the Exchequer of charging people for water and sending €100 cheques throughout the country. I am not trying to score political points here. This is a very important element of what the Government is proposing. On the basis that the Minister cannot tell the House the net financial impact of what...

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 figure people are looking for is 1.66 million. This is the number of households, and includes people living in homes they own and people renting. The figure for 2011 from the CSO is 1.66 million, so the cost at €100 per household will be €166 million.

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

Stephen Donnelly: Here is where the figures now stand. The total amount the Minister told the House would be raised is €271 million. This minus €166 million for the grant leaves €105 million.

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

Stephen Donnelly: I am not making it up.

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

Stephen Donnelly: My numbers may be wrong but I am certainly not making it up. The figures we have from the Minister are that every household will receive €100 and that there are 1.66 million households which leads to €166 million.