Results 3,221-3,240 of 20,765 for speaker:Alan Kelly

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

Alan Kelly: I have mentioned aquifers and private wells previously.

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

Alan Kelly: We need to consider pipes, infrastructure and networks as well.

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

Alan Kelly: There are a range of issues in these areas. Where do we go from here? Is there a necessity to have similar referendums for a range of other issues? I accept how important this issue is. I stand in the House as a representative of the Government. I have been honourable in the sense that I have taken matters from here and brought them to Government. I have made the views of the House known...

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

Alan Kelly: That refers to Ervia. Ervia has no ownership shares.

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

Alan Kelly: I am not.

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

Alan Kelly: If they improve the legislation.

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.

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

Alan Kelly: It does. We can debate semantics and Senator Byrne may make another proposal, as is his right, which I will consider in detail. I give Senator Byrne my word on that but I have outlined the facts. The assets are part of the ownership of the company and I have explained previously the ownership structure of the company. The assets are covered as part of this structure and the shares will...

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

Alan Kelly: I believe the Bill is sufficiently robust and I have taken advice on this. I reiterate that the assets are part of the ownership of the company and the alienation of shares covers the assets of Irish Water.

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

Alan Kelly: Shares in Ervia are owned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Shares in Irish Water are owned by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Irish Water is a statutory company and, as such, is covered by statutory rules. As it has statutory functions, it is...

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: 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...