Results 6,321-6,340 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It used to have a black book or something. I am not sure if it still has it.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I read stories about it.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I return to the serious issue-----

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----of poverty proofing. It is a critical issue for people. We need to identify the types of households and the types of people in order to ensure that people are not in what is termed as water poverty - that is when more than 3% of their income goes towards the cost of water. That is the benchmark mentioned in the literature I have read. We sought and got more than 200 submissions to a...

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy. Sitting in this seat was the former Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, who signed a deal with the troika. On behalf of the State he signed up to introducing charges by 1 January 2014. That is what he signed and as the succeeding Government, we have to accept that commitment. That is what the previous Government did - that is the way the country was at the time.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am trying to bring enabling legislation through the Oireachtas so that the basic powers to establish the company and allow the regulator to commence work are established. Notwithstanding the troika agreement, it is a matter for the Government to decide when charges will commence. I believe the Deputy mentioned June 2014. The Fianna Fáil-led Government signed up to 1 January of that...

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ideally.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is what this legislation seeks to do.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: No.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not need to correct it, the Deputy is wrong.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I know Deputy Cowen has read the legislation, which amends the Water Services Act 2007. This is what the Bill will do. It amends an existing Act which forbids privatisation.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I asked whether it could be included in this legislation as amended and the very clear advice of the Attorney General was that it is already in the Bill. It is like adding a carriage to train; it is already on the train but in a different carriage, and that is the legislation we are amending.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, there is.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: If and when this is passed-----

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Can I just make the point. It is like adding a carriage to a train which already has a similar carriage. We are giving more power to the energy regulator to do something and we are establishing a company.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is the big question.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Let me put it this way, the first station at which it is stopping is the one Fianna Fáil put it into, and we are trying to ensure everyone on it gets a fair deal, literally and metaphorically in every respect.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy and I ask him, difficult as it may be, to listen to me for a minute.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am absolutely clear that the next more substantive Bill will deal with and address all of the other issues which, rightly, properly and fairly, have been put before me today, including the framework for water charges. With regard to affordability, we have to get this right. Discussions are taking place and we have met all of the advocates. The ESRI report is not yet finalised. The...

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have no doubt the evidence is accurate but I ask the Deputy to accept the information given to me, and what I have seen with my own eyes is also very clear. It is very effective and is well worth visiting. I have never seen anything as efficient. It is well run and is accountable to the local authority. I hope this reassures Deputies on the issues they have raised.