Results 6,741-6,760 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is a standard provision. I presume that it is a standard provision enabling all expenditure by the Minister and-or his Department regarding the Act. I presume that the provision refers to the costs incurred and that they are legally and properly covered by the section. Is that okay?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I presume any of the Minister's expenses in the Act are covered by the section. In other words, it is proper and legal that he or she can do so.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sure.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: If it is helpful, the points made by the Senator are subject to the implementation of the Act. In other words, things that happen as a result of the implementation of the Act are different costs to the costs covered in the section, which are purely the administrative costs of the Act. The Senator has raised a very important question. Let us compare what happened with the HSE and the health...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It seems that-----

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: If I do not answer anybody to his or her satisfaction-----

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I was not involved in that decision. I was not aware of it. If I had been-----

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----I would have ruled them out as well.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: A number of issues were raised. If a person is working with a local authority, the only way he or she can be transferred to Uisce Éireann or Irish Water is if he or she goes there. He or she will not become redundant to go there. The person will transfer in and the question of redundancy will not arise. There are no plans for any redundancies of local authority staff. Either they...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It does not. If the roads and the lighting are not up to scratch and if it is not finished, then the public could not take over such a liability. If there are issues, however, I presume they would have to be resolved. In other words, if there is an estate that has inferior, insufficient or inadequate water infrastructure, that is a problem for that estate to resolve. I am aware that there...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The cost of doing the work refers to the staff associated with the administration of the legislation, in other words, officials in the Department. This is a technical aspect of the section.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, the obligation applies to finished housing estates.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is dealing with the official list of unfinished estates that can be remediated, in other words, taken in charge. This list is compiled and verified by local authorities before being submitted to the Department and published. People living in the estates on the list did not have to pay the household...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand it is being done.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: If the Senator provides the names of the estates I will follow up through the Department.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Gas Regulation Act 2013 included an interim measure to provide for the making and approval of superannuation schemes by Irish Water. This was considered necessary to enable Irish Water to put in place superannuation schemes pending the enactment of this Bill. As the legislation establishes a comprehensive statutory framework for the company to put in place pension schemes for any staff...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: We spoke earlier about local authorities taking over estates, and the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is working with local authorities. The difference with the infrastructure to be transferred to Irish Water is that the company will not be taking over the estates. The local authority will continue to have responsibility for the estates. The water assets will transfer to Irish...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is the Senator talking about councils or councillors?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I look forward to hearing the Senator's questions, because I want to answer them.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: We are working under the rules of the Seanad rather than mine. I am happy to provide responses that are not allowed to be given now and will get the answers to Senators before Thursday, if I can. This is all about transparency and accountability and I am happy for it to be that way. We must work within the rules as we go through the sections. Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh raised a...