Results 5,221-5,240 of 26,021 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: I will ask two quick questions. When Irish Water presents it to the CER will it present it as a fixed asset or as a revenue item? CER might expand on this too. This is a critical point.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: I have limited time. The CER cannot make the decision until Irish Water makes its presentation to it.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: A total of €50 million has already been spent and Irish Water is not able to tell me whether it regards that as a revenue expense or as an asset. When will Irish Water know that? That is a critical underlying point. I will ask again because it is the kernel of the issue.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Why does Mr. Dempsey not know this already? Why was €50 million of taxpayers’ money spent when no one could say they would regard it as an asset? Why did Mr. Tierney come out publicly and give the ordinary person the impression that this was €50 million paid to consultants for nothing tangible when it is clear-----
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Mr. Tierney regards this as an asset as distinct from revenue spending.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Fine.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: May I move on from that point because I think we have clarified that?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Correct.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: With due respect to Mr. Barry, why did Mr. Tierney not explain that to the public over the past week? Why did I have to ding-dong for the past ten minutes to get an answer that actually clarifies the point?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: That is fine. Can I move on to a couple of points in the limited time that I have? When Bord Gáis went into the electricity market, my understanding is that it was effectively able to use its billing system at relatively low cost. Why did the same not happen in the establishment of Irish Water? One of the reasons that Bord Gáis is the provider is that it brought this synergy...
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Mr. Barry can give me a short answer.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: I have two final questions. On the issue of procurement, my understanding was that 28 contracts have effectively been granted to date for various different projects. How many of those were given that did not go out to tender, that were extensions for existing contractors within Bord Gáis? I have further questions. Mr. Tierney stated that every contract worth over €10 million...
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: So there is a pay freeze until 2016.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Is this not a contradiction? There is a pay freeze until 2016 while on the other hand bonuses are being paid. The ordinary person listening who is looking for value for money will note a contradiction.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Is Mr. Tierney making a comparison with international utilities?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Mr. Tierney is missing the point. I refer to Mr. Tierney's background as a local authority manager managing a large organisation. Could he not have said to Bord Gáis that the proposed model was not sufficient?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: I ask Ms Tallon for her view on the issue of the bonuses.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Therefore, some employees will get bonuses and some will not.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Has any bonus been paid to date?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
Kieran O'Donnell: Is it the case that some employees will qualify for bonuses and some will not?