Results 3,941-3,960 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

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

Barry Cowen: I seek to oppose this section which deals specifically with water charges on dwellings. My amendment is in response to the outcry of the public and the Opposition against the legislation governing the establishment of Irish Water and the charging mechanism to be put in place by the CER, Commission for Energy Regulation under direction from the legislation and the Government. The CER carried...

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

Barry Cowen: We also oppose the section.

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

Barry Cowen: I move amendment No. 28:In page 8, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following:"(6) The scheme shall be subjected to annual review by the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht.".The amendment proposes that the relevant all-party Oireachtas committee with jurisdiction in this area be allowed to carry out an annual review of the scheme to ensure its operation is...

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

Barry Cowen: Perhaps that is a net figure.

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

Barry Cowen: I have a quick question to add to the many others. Is it the case that someone with ten houses does not get €1,000? Is that correct?

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

Barry Cowen: Is it the case that a tenant renting a property is not entitled to a conservation grant, or will that be dealt with in the new extra legislation in the new year because of the discrepancies that exist?

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

Barry Cowen: Is the tenant legally responsible?

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

Barry Cowen: Or churches and schools.

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

Barry Cowen: Did you find any houses?

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

Barry Cowen: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is here.

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

Barry Cowen: He might assist in establishing whether the houses are missing. Can we find out how much is being provided by the Government towards the payment of a conservation grant?

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

Barry Cowen: Has it provided €1.9 million, €1.3 million or €2.8 million? What is it? Perhaps if we divide the houses and we will have some indication as to where we are going.

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

Barry Cowen: The Minister can tell us again. There are 700,000 houses missing.

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

Barry Cowen: Is your tenant?

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

Barry Cowen: I join others in seeking that adjournment. Will the Minister confirm that the Government has provided €130 million towards the conservation grant based on a compliance rate of 70% or 80% by those who register? In the event of a 100% registration, will the Government provide the extra €36 million mentioned and will he give a commitment to the House to do so?

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

Barry Cowen: They are on their own now.

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

Barry Cowen: He is saying the people will not sign up.

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

Barry Cowen: It is obvious the Government has provided €130 million towards conservation grant aid and this is done on the basis of 70% or 80% compliance. If there is 100% compliance, will the Government commit to the extra €35 million? In the absence of that, I am at a loss in understanding the scientific basis for the figure being €130 million. We should remember that €80...

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

Barry Cowen: We are talking about occupied houses.

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

Barry Cowen: I have already asked the same question as Deputy Creighton. On what scientific basis did the Minister approve €130 million? Where did the information emanate from? What expert, what adviser or what level of competence within Irish Water gave the information to the effect that the compliance rate will be such that the Government will have to pay out only €130 million in these...