Results 4,261-4,280 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

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

Barry Cowen: Therefore, the Commission accepted the interpretation of the established practice initially but sought to shift its interpretation of it when it got the river basin management plan. Is that correct?

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

Barry Cowen: What is the Commission's interpretation of it?

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

Barry Cowen: What is the Commission's definition of paragraph (4)? What is its definition of established practice? Prior to-----

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

Barry Cowen: Established practice in my mind and that of the Irish Government and people at that time was that it was paid for out of general taxation. The Commission decided to change its interpretation of it on submission of the river basin management plan, which is its right to do so if it so wishes. We do not agree. If there is to be an adjudication on it, it is beyond our control. That is all I...

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

Barry Cowen: We disagree on the implementation of the directive and the basis by which the Commission arrives at that conclusion and believe we are on solid ground in terms of the basis for our conclusion. Finally, saying what he said and interpreting-----

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

Barry Cowen: I have heard enough, to be honest. However, considering the comments Mr. Ciobanu-Dordea just made, has the Commission been in touch with the CER and the EPA?

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

Barry Cowen: Not on this particular subject.

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

Barry Cowen: That is where we differ.

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

Barry Cowen: I will put further questions later.

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

Barry Cowen: Hear, hear.

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

Barry Cowen: I would like to respond as someone whose party invited Mr. Bradley. For many months, Deputy Brophy's party asked us to substantiate our contention-----

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

Barry Cowen: -----about the EU framework directive. We have never publicised that. When this committee sought its content, we made that available to it. We are here today to enforce that in as best a way as we can because it is our belief that the Dáil may accept a recommendation from this committee to revert to a non-charging regime and allow water charges and services to be paid for by the...

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

Barry Cowen: Is there any other form of conservation, other than metering or charges, in the Commission's book at all? Obviously Scotland and Northern Ireland have it. Why can Ireland not have it, in addition to the established practice? I rest my case.

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

Barry Cowen: Not necessarily tough. They have a form of conservation.

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

Barry Cowen: That is why we are here.

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

Barry Cowen: That is why it is our obligation to come up with a policy that meets the framework directive and that does not necessarily involve a charging regime. That is our right and prerogative as an independent State, taking cognisance of the directive and allowing for the framework to be implemented the way we see fit.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water Supply Project for Eastern and Midlands Region: Irish Water (15 Feb 2017)

Barry Cowen: I thank Irish Water for the presentation. Many of our questions have been alluded to by previous speakers. In recent weeks and months, many people have come to this debate who had not engaged with the issue previously, many of whom live in the vicinity of the area which the pipeline transverses. Needs must on their part. Irish Water briefly outlined the process, which involved four...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water Supply Project for Eastern and Midlands Region: Irish Water (15 Feb 2017)

Barry Cowen: Notwithstanding the disappointment in my region for the Garryhinch project not being the preferred route, and the consequent loss of benefits for the midlands region, let alone Dublin, during the course of the planning application to the board there is a responsibility on local authorities to ensure that all potential benefits of a project are considered. Peat extraction is nearing an end,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: European Fund for Strategic Investments (14 Feb 2017)

Barry Cowen: 142. To ask the Minister for Finance the scope that exists to use the European Fund for Strategic Investments, EFSI, to increase Exchequer investment in public infrastructure by making better use of the flexibility that is built into the Stability and Growth Pact, in view of the stated position of the European Commission that it will take a favourable position on capital contributions to the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: European Fund for Strategic Investments (14 Feb 2017)

Barry Cowen: 143. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Exchequer or the NTMA has contributed towards, or will be contributing towards, the financing of specific projects or alternatively, participating via investment platforms under the European Fund for Strategic Investments; and if not, the reasons therefor. [6809/17]