Results 1,121-1,140 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: Has the Data Protection Commissioner been consulted?
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: Is the Minister aware whether he has been consulted or not?
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: But the Minister is aware that-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current timeframe for the introduction of water metering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39118/12]
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: A couple of questions emanate from the Minister's answer. The timeframe seems to have been amended because earlier this year - to great fanfare when the process was announced - the date for the installation of all the water meters was 2014. There was also an indication that 2,000 jobs would be created. Is the timeframe now in tatters? Today, Bord na Móna announced much restructuring...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: We know it is an option.
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: We know you made a commitment to the electorate you would overturn it, re-negotiate it and do everything with it. However, when it suits you it is a problem.
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: Will the Minister publish it?
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: I have a follow-on question on the fact that Bord Gais-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: It appears that Bord Gais is in the process of recruiting fitters and engineers but I have yet to learn when their work might commence and I do not know to what infrastructure they have access. Where stands the expertise in the local authorities to which the Minister so proudly states he can provide funding so they can provide services? He is taking one of the long-standing-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: -----facilities available to the electorate, namely, local authority water services. Where stands this expertise and local knowledge and these engineers in local authorities? How will they be employed in local authorities? Are they being asked to transfer to Bord Gais?
- Other Questions: Local Government Reform (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister for his answer. When he brings forward his local government reform package I hope he does not simply seek to grab headlines and score political points by cutting councils and councillors for the sake of it. I am aware of the need for streamlining in this area. We cannot have, for example, up to 115 representatives in one county. I am also aware that local authorities...
- Other Questions: Local Government Reform (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: My question relates to Deputy Daly's question. Does the Minister not feel it is ridiculously ironic that he is telling the House he will bring forward a reform document that will empower local authorities and give them more functions and legislative powers while, at the same time, he is taking away water facilities and the water protection system? He is taking away the local knowledge that...
- Other Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the reduction in the Local Government Fund allocation to each local authority area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38983/12]
- Other Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: I cannot understand how the Minister can be so confident that local authorities will meet the demands of their constituents in providing services next year, given the difficulties they face towards the end of this year, by virtue of him penalising them for something they had nothing do with. With regard to the household charge and its child, the property tax, how long has the Minister had...
- Other Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: There must be many pages in it.
- Other Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: It must be an excessively big document when one thinks the Minister has had it since June and has not brought it to Cabinet yet.
- Other Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: The whole country can talk about options that might or might not be in the report while the Minister decides what he wants to take from it. This fanfare must come to an end. The Minister has to bring about a proper budgetary and management system. The whole thing is in complete disarray.
- Other Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: It goes back to the troika and all the rest of it. We are hearing that for the past few years.
- Other Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)
Barry Cowen: That the Government did not renegotiate the agreement, having promised it would.