Results 2,621-2,640 of 2,832 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: He should have seen Fianna Fáil do it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: I do not know whether it is appropriate to raise a point of order, but I have a problem with what is happening. No matter how eminent or qualified, a legal person's interpretation of something that the Commission is stating is just that. We could-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: No, it is not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: Excuse me, but this is an important point and I would appreciate the opportunity to finish it. We could have a whole bunch of legal opinions lined up one way or the other. The Commission plays a role, which therefore gives its view importance in the process. The only arbiter of that is the ECJ.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: With due respect to every other legal opinion, it would not be accurate to allow someone to attend and equate the two as equal. We are not as a country under any implication of Mr. Bradley's opinion. We would be under an implication of where the Commission would go with its opinion, and we would have to defend that. There is a question mark over the work of this committee if we allow at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: That is not the point that I made.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: That is not the point that I made.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: With due respect-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: No. With due respect, I object to your last comment because there was an undertone to it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: I am sorry, but I object. I am making the point, which the Chairman is misinterpreting, that I have no problem with legal representatives attending as witnesses, but we should recognise the difference between the view being expressed by the Commission and the view being expressed by legal or other experts. Given the way in which the Chairman allowed the initial interjection, my point was on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: Did the Deputy ever pay water tax?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: Many of the core issues I wanted to raise have been addressed. However, I would like clarification on some points. Returning to the Scottish Water situation and a comment made earlier, which seemed to me to be enlightening in light of the Scottish Water's contribution to the committee, Scottish Water has the second most expensive water supply in Europe. It was indicated that there was an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Role of Regulators and Compliance with European Law: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: I thank Mr. Bradley for that contribution. He can, of course, respectfully suggest it, but the point I would make is that it is his legal opinion. He obviously is entitled to give it, but the committee has to make a decision that will go to the Dáil and the Oireachtas for implementation. I believe we have to be much more conscious of the fact that, as a result of a decision that is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Commission for Energy Regulation and Irish Water (14 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: My understanding from what the representatives of Scottish Water said last week was that its decision not to have meters had been entirely politically motivated by the SNP Government. From independent surveys, the result seems to be that Scottish Water consumers are paying some of the highest water charges in Europe. My understanding is the delivery of cost savings to customers, particularly...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Macroeconomic Outlook: IBEC (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: I wish to sound a cautionary follow-up on Deputy Lahart's point. From work I did on the housing committee at the start of this Dáil, there is potential for great growth in terms of the third level sector and the ability to attract international students. I think some of that is being realised but I think - a hobbyhorse of mine - there has to be a correlation between the willingness of...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Macroeconomic Outlook: IBEC (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: While I accept part of what Mr. O'Brien said in his response, there is a very valid point which the Department and the Government were considering. If one develops PPPs to such an extent and they come back on to the balance sheet through a ruling of EUROSTAT, there are major implications for the State. The cautionary approach still needs to be exercised. I take Mr. O'Brien's point that we...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Macroeconomic Outlook: IBEC (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: Living in Dublin contributing to that over dependence in Dublin.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: I join the Chairman in welcoming the delegation and thanking them for attending this committee. I have a number of questions in respect of the information that has been provided. In Wales 53% of households have a meter. How does the billing mechanism work between the 53% of houses that have a meter and the remaining 47% of household that do not? Is there a noticeable difference between...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: I have a question on the charge element of the local property tax or local household charge or bill. Is that a fixed amount for every household? Does the charge vary in a local authority area, based on the overall bill? Is a fixed amount charged for water per year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Scottish Water, Welsh Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2017)

Colm Brophy: Is there a cost implication to having the meter fitted?