Results 6,941-6,960 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I have been advised that the discussions were ongoing but there is no money to pay for what the Senators want. It is much easier to buy a water conserving tap and install a dual flush toilet in a new build and a retrofit is far more expensive. That is the point I made. There are websites that can provide information on water conservation. There is a vast number of simple measures that...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter: EU Funding (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tá liosta de na grúpaí a fuair airgead anseo. Tá sé soiléir ón liosta cé hiad na daoine a fuair an t-airgead agus cé mhéid a tugadh dóibh. Glacann an tAire go bhfuil sé tábhachtach an díospóireacht seo a bheith againn. The European Refugee Fund provides assistance for the reception of asylum seekers and the reception...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter: EU Funding (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The answer is in the question. I do not know the specific answer but I will ask the Minister to respond to the Senator on that.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 351 together. I wish to inform the Deputy that there are no authorisations extant in respect of onshore petroleum exploration in Ireland. Three onshore licensing options were granted in the term of the previous Government for the two year period from 1 March 2011 to 28 February 2013, over parts of the North West Carboniferous (Lough Allen) Basin...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 356, 357 and 372 together. Onshore Licensing Options were granted to the three companies referenced by the Deputy in the term of the previous Government for the two year period from 1 March 2011 to 28 February 2013. Tamboran Resources Pty Ltd and the Lough Allen Natural Gas Company Ltd were each granted an Onshore Licensing Option over parts of the North...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: These are technical amendments to amend the drafting of the definition of an "excluded provision". Excluded provisions are matters that will not transfer to Irish Water, such as rural water, domestic waste water systems and storm water sewers.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is another technical amendment to provide that the definition for employment transfer day is included in section 5, which deals with the definitions to be used in Part 2 of the Bill. The "employment transfer day" applies to staff transferring to Irish Water under section 15 of the Bill.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a drafting amendment to clarify that a ministerial order under section 12 shall designate such property or such class or classes of property of a water services authority as the Minister may determine.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is it appropriate for me to respond to the issues raised?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I read the newspapers this morning as well. I understand that the Dublin City Manager said the Minister or his Department refused to come. As I understand it, he was advised that the date of the meeting was one where we would be here in the Seanad. Certainly, I and my officials were unable to attend because we had to be here but we have no problem meeting with and listening to him. That...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The amendment states that the funds will transfer, with a full and comprehensive table of all moneys transferred. I understand there will not be any money actually transferred, that any balance will be offset against other charges. Cash transfers will not take place. On the question of transparency, I do not believe that this needs to be included in the legislation because the local...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not see an issue about the transparency of that transfer as it will only happen once. The council, the Minister and Irish Water, will know. I do not see any issue arising. The transfer will not be in cash. If a local authority has a cash fund of lodgments as a result of planning applications and lodgments of cash for water services, this will be kept on the balance sheet of the local...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: These are two minor technical amendments to improve the drafting of section 14.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: This amendment provides that certain liabilities for loss occurring prior to the transfer day shall be against Irish Water and not a local authority. This is a limited transfer for existing claims and proceedings. Certain claims and-or pending proceedings will remain with the local authorities, including claims for the recovery of damages.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: These amendments are to provide for the transfer to Irish Water of licences and authorisations granted through a water services authority. Amendment No. 20 provides that any licence issued by a local authority under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 shall continue in force. Amendment No. 21 provides for the transfer of licences under certain enactments, namely, the Foreshore...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: These are technical amendments to clarify the arrangements for the transfer of local authority staff to Irish Water following determination of an agreement under section 26.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It can also be reduced.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The issue here is not about charges; it is already agreed in principle that they will happen. The issue is about a sustainable level of investment in our water infrastructure and how we can modernise our country's Victorian system of water services in terms of some parts of the pipe network, the unaccounted for water, and the inability of local authorities throughout the country to get new...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I appreciate that but I am trying to make the point that it will be comprehensive, and all those costs will be included together. The Senator will have the answer to his question when all of those figures are calculated and the analysis is done. It will go before the CER and there will be transparency in terms of that decision making process. Nothing is being hidden. There is nothing in...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Perhaps I did not make the issue clear. I will try to clarify it again. The legislation is like a framework for what will happen. Addressing the questions of how Irish Water will operate, what it will do in people's counties and how the regulator will make its decision and compute costs - the regulator is on record as saying it wants to engage proactively - is the role of an Oireachtas...