Results 3,961-3,980 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: One of the issues since this scenario commenced has been a lack of adequate scrutiny and accountability and the way in which this is configured and set up, it does not have the sort of democratic access or accountability that one would expect. Bearing in mind that the local authorities played a major role in this respect in the past, they have been completely shafted in what is proposed in...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: I join other speakers in objecting vehemently to the inclusion of this section in the legislation. This is the democratically elected forum in which the spending of taxpayers' funds on behalf of taxpayers by the Government should be scrutinised. The mistake that was made, which precludes this forum from having any role into the future, was the passing of the first Water Services Bill. The...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: The record will be correct.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: In the context of the section, can the Minister comment on litigation claims that may exist against Irish Water on the part of people who feel aggrieved in the case of, for example, flooding? Insurance may not have been taken out on the property but it can be argued that the cause was that the defence was not sufficient because of the manner in which treatment systems were maintained. This...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: Section 9 and the proposed amendments thereto appear to deal with legacy issues relating to the pensions of those employed previously by Ervia or Bord Gáis who will transfer to Irish Water. Will those who are entitled to receive bonus payments under the auspices of Ervia or Bord Gáis be entitled to receive them under the auspices of Irish Water? In recent weeks, when confronted...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: I accept the response of the Minister in regard to the technical issues related to the transfer of pensions and pension rights when one moves from one company to another, and that recognition of the past working service is enshrined in pension rights. I accept the technical aspects of the amendments to rectify that to ensure rights are protected. I acknowledge the opportunity the Minister...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: You said the charges would not be legislated for by the House either. You said that 12 months ago. You said this House would have nothing to do with charges.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: This is a very serious amendment. We know the Water Services (No. 2) Act was in the main passed without discussion, scrutiny or adequate questioning. It was assumed then that the assets and liabilities of local authorities would in their entirety transfer to Irish Water. I know we and others put down many parliamentary questions in the intervening period seeking details of those...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: When were Members informed about this?
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: On a point of order, the Minister has referred to a decision made in 2014 that contravened the terms of previous legislation, the debate on which was guillotined in this Chamber last December and which set out the authority for Irish Water to take on board assets and liabilities. It was then decided in May 2014 that this would not be the case and that the liabilities would not be taken on...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: It contravened the terms of legislation-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: -----and no matter how ridiculously it was put through the House, it was nonetheless legislation passed by the majority of Members of the House.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: It set out clearly that the assets and liabilities would be transferred to Irish Water. Members still do not know what the assets are or how much they amount to. They have now been told - at this late hour as usual - that there is €460 million owed to the Housing Finance Agency which will be financed by the taxpayer. As for the outstanding €150 million pertaining to...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: One presumes it is €460 million.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: Therefore, it is a subvention.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: Of course, it is, as the local authorities owed it.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: It is another major sweetener for Irish Water.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: Members do not know how much the assets are worth.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: It is €11 billion.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Barry Cowen: Will the Minister put that in writing?