Results 6,861-6,880 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: In terms of the other responsibilities of Irish Water, it has to implement water safety plans for public water supplies with larger supplies being prioritised. It has compiled the remedial action list. Improvement works and schemes with boiled water notices must be prioritised. If one lives in a town where one has to boil the water because it is contaminated and it is not fit for human...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not shout at the Senator.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Senator should listen to me and should listen to the facts. The fact is that there will be an official in the county council of the Senator's home county who will be responsible to the elected members for all issues in respect of water and water infrastructure plans. Second, notwithstanding the provision of a hotline nationally for everyone, there also will be a dedicated line for...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not before the ard chomhairle of Sinn Féin here. This is a democratic assembly.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have answered the question.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: With respect, it is in the report.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Water schemes.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It covers water supply.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not expect that the wisdom coming from this side of the House will be absorbed by those on the other side. I have outlined what we have been saying. The key is that the Senator has gone to the core of the issue, that is, the question of solving water problems where they exist. He mentioned the significant number in his constituency. Right around the country, all the county councils...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Bill provides for the water-in, water-out principle. It is not intended that householders with septic tanks will be charged for wastewater services. The Bill provides for this in section 17(10). People with private wells will not be charged for water supply. The Bill also provides for that. There was another question.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have told the Senator.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have told the Senator.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Nobody will know the answer until the sums are actually done. As I stated, there will be consultation around the counties to determine what exactly the authorities want to, need to and must do. The strands must be put together. When this is done, there will be a clear plan. The CER will put it out for consultation. If I were the Senator, I would be asking the relevant authorities to...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Just a little bit.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Notwithstanding the excellent legal opinion he has given us, and the significance of the legal brains involved, we are talking here about Irish Water, not the regulator. This is not a directive to the regulator; it is a direction in writing to Irish Water. During the initial years of its operation, Irish Water will be in receipt of substantial State funding. Moreover, the power relates to...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: This Bill currently provides that Irish Water will be obligated to have regard to Government policy and guidelines when determining the remuneration or allowances for expenses to be paid for members of its staff. It will also be bound by Government guidance and codes of practice. That will cover the issues in regard to semi-State companies. Accordingly, the amendments proposed are unnecessary.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom go ndéanfar leasuithe eile ar an mBille seo ar an gcéad Chéim eile chun cuid de na pointí atá ardaithe ag an Seanadóir a threisiú. There will be a small number of leasuithe ag teacht isteach ar an chéad Chéim eile den Bhille seo chun a chinntiú cad a tharlóidh nuair a fhágann daoine local authorities following the...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: There will be absolute clarity on that in amendments tabled on Report Stage tomorrow. The 12 years will be in the legislation. It is not in it at present, so we are working on a small number of amendments to clarify that. All outstanding issues in regard to pensions and so on will be clarified in amendments on Report Stage.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: These amendment are proposals for the superannuation section and take account of consultations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Irish Water and the local authority sector. The agreed approach is that the Irish Water consultative group needs to be reflected in the legislation. It has been agreed that the pension benefits accruing to public servants transferring to Irish...