Results 6,981-7,000 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It tasted the same to them.

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank all those who contributed to this debate. I appreciate that we have limited time but I wish to respond to the issues raised. This Bill has to be passed by the end of this session because if it were not in place on 1 January, local authorities would have responsibility for the entire water infrastructure but would have no means of paying for it.

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy.

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is the advice I have been given. I raised points of information to be helpful to Deputy Naughten.

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy in the way he is now doing. Deputies Cowen and Stanley raised the important issues of water poverty and ability to pay. These issues will be dealt with by the Government. The questions about the free allowance and affordability are also important and will be dealt with in a transparent manner long before the first bill comes through the door. As the bills...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy the raising this point. The Bill provides that the payment of accrued pension benefits to local authority staff who transfer to Irish Water or Uisce Éireann, either now or following the termination of a service level agreement, will not be imposed on city and council councils. Councils will not have to pay. The service level agreement will provide for the payment...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is an important point. Irish Water is obliged under legislation to consult with every local authority and to examine and get involved in discussions about county development plans, regional development plans and national plans. Irish Water has given a commitment, which it will follow up after 1 January, to have meetings with local authority members around the country on a regional...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Arrangements for communication between Uisce Éireann and elected representatives will take place in January. Irish Water and local authorities will establish local points of contact in keeping with the expectations of elected representatives. The contact point will be a local official who knows the water services. I mentioned a hotline for councillors. In addition to these reactive...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The section I am talking about provides that Irish Water shall prepare investment plans setting out where it considers infrastructure necessary for the effective performance of its duties. In developing that plan, Irish Water shall take account of the water services strategic plan prepared under section 26 and a range of other policy considerations and, specifically, local area plans,...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is pointing out the section we are dealing with but I have no problem answering the question. Uisce Éireann will be accountable to the Oireachtas through the annual report, just like Irish Rail and other semi-State companies such as Bord Gáis and Bord na Móna. That report is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, so there is no question of the...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy McNamara has this utterly wrong. I will give an example from my experience. The Deputy's party is part of the Government but I sat as part of the Opposition for a number of years, and in that time we ensured that representatives of Irish Rail came in week after week before an Oireachtas committee in order to deal with issues like audits and other operational issues germane and...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy is the one who is blustering. I resent that.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Somebody has told me the Deputy is a barrister. I do not know but in here he is a Dáil Deputy like me. I should be clear that on the interim board of Uisce Éireann there is a single representative of the elected members of this country. I do not agree that such a representative will act in the manner described by the Deputy. I am absolutely satisfied that Uisce Éireann has...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy. I am exceptionally clear on the issue. Uisce Éireann is well aware of my views and those demonstrated by the Deputy. These issues have been discussed with its representatives on a regular basis. There is no belief, either on my behalf or in the Department, that Irish Water will not be accountable. I am satisfied that the body will be accountable and...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I think the use of the word "misled" is wrong. I did not say that 90% of the population currently affected by boil water notices are in Roscommon. I said that 90% of boil notices are in that county. Essentially, nine out of every ten people who have a problem with drinking water quality are living in Roscommon. That is the point I was making.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That was not misleading and I hope the Deputy accepts that.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies for their views, which are most welcome. While I do not necessarily agree with everything they said, it is important that they said it. I agree that the absence of Members who have been significant players in this economy and who are responsible for the arrival of the troika in the first place is regrettable. They marched their troops out and then they marched them in...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I accept that. Irish Water will be responsible for solving these water quality problems. Its water quality standards will be subject to supervision by the EPA. The drinking water regulations are being updated and the EPA will have powers to direct Uisce Éireann to take actions to protect drinking water supplies. Failure to comply will be an offence. I will reflect on the issues...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister has approved the allocation of funding. I am sure it is only a matter of time before the contracts are signed.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: My Department will get back to the Deputy on that matter.