Results 6,281-6,300 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: Bord Gáis is very experienced in carrying out public works such as the repair of footpaths. The work is carried out to a very high standard. However, I agree with the Deputy and I fully support her point which is a key point in the operation. I hope to convince the Deputy that the protocols and the discussions between the NRA and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will be...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 8: In page 10, before section 23, to insert the following new section: 23.--(1) The Board may, upon the commencement of this section, do all such things as may be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the performance by it of water services functions under any enactment passed after the passing of this Act. (2) The subsidiary may, upon the commencement of this...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: I do not think so.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 9: In page 12, subsection (1), line 5, to delete “as are” and substitute “as may be”.This is a grammatical amendment which does not change the purpose or meaning of subsection (1) of section 24.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, will be responsible for assessing the quality of water.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: The EPA compiles a report in respect of the quality of water on an annual basis. The most recent report indicated that approximately 12% of schemes have issues in the context of the quality of water. Compared to previous years, however, the figure in this regard has reduced to a significant degree. There is no doubt that issues arise in respect of some schemes.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: As I understand it, group schemes work very closely with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government - through the national group water schemes - on all issues. The relationship in this regard is very successful. The question of water quality is separate. If water is not up to standard, then it is not fit for human consumption. Issues arise with regard to the...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: I cannot predict what will happen in the future. However, I presume the Deputy is referring to the issue of water quality in the context of people's health.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: Again, I cannot provide a guarantee in that regard. However, I am in a position to assure the Deputy that the relationship between the Department and the group water schemes nationally is top class. Those schemes constitute one of the biggest advocates for change nationally in respect of water policy. I do not know if that would happen in the case of individual schemes. If it is of...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: I visited one of the winners of the national group water schemes in Mayo last week. That organisation is completely voluntary in nature and was formed by the joining of three separate entities into one larger unit. The scheme in question employs a full-time professional administrator. It is so well organised that young children in the local primary schools have all been given badges which...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: I cannot do that. I am not that familiar with what happens at present but, as I understand it, a scheme which wants to be taken in charge must approach the local authority and then all of the various cost issues are discussed. Thereafter, the scheme will either be taken in charge or it will not. In the context of health, the quality of water is the key issue. If water is polluted or if it...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: There is no proposal to change any of the existing financial arrangements for group water schemes. It is not part of this Bill, and there is no intention to do that.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: I have no doubt that is the case. There is no intention to change any of that.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: Whatever is working now is what has to work into the future. I live in an urban area, but I am aware that the community meets the cost of group water schemes that would not otherwise be met. They provide water where it would not otherwise be provided if they did not give their commitment to the arrangement. There is no reference to group water schemes in this Bill, and there is no...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. I know that.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: I repeat there is nothing in the Bill about that but by the time the next Bill is brought forward, which will be later this year, all of those points will be dealt with.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: Section 26 provides for the amendment of section 4 of the 1983 Act, as amended by the 1997 Act. It arises from that.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: That is correct, yes.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Fergus O'Dowd: This is to allow charging for water.