Results 5,961-5,980 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Other Questions: Proposed Legislation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: If the Deputy needs any clarification, that is the clarification he needs. Last January, I set out what the roadmap would be and it is on schedule.

Other Questions: Proposed Legislation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: All Ireland policy stop with various policies. It is a good one to have on climate change but not so good on household charges. The heads of the Bill are on track for publication through the committee at the end of the year. The legislation will be enacted in 2013. I do not think there is any reason to be embarrassed.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: As the Deputy knows from the troika agreement, water charges are to be introduced in 2014. This is what the previous Government negotiated. Whether or not there are meters there will be water charges in 2014.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy knows it is there. It is not a surprise.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: We have abandoned our economic sovereignty thanks to the policies pursued by our predecessors and we are doing our best to sort it out. An independent assessment was carried out by PwC on behalf of the Department to establish which semi-State body would be appropriate and would have the necessary skills and expertise and two companies were considered, namely, Bord na Mona and Bord Gais...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: That is a separate question.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: In addition to this, procurement documentation is being drawn up and it must be done in a way that is legal and according to EU tendering arrangements. Those who will obtain jobs are fitters, plumbers and people in the construction industry who were abandoned arising from the downturn.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: We will do that also.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I remind Deputies that people already pay water charges. People provide water supplies themselves, as do commercial people, and this is extending the principal to public supplies.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: You do not want to pay for anything.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: You do not want to pay for anything.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: Local authority staff work very closely with Bord Gais and in the coming seven years they will continue to do so through providing the infrastructure for rolling out the metering programme and in providing the water infrastructure to be laid down in the legislation to come before the House. This legislation will give Bord Gais the necessary powers with regard to arrangements with the...

Other Questions: Proposed Legislation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 44 together. The programme for the development of a national climate policy and legislation, which I announced last January, is progressing on schedule. In terms of key milestones, the public consultation has been completed. It attracted a very strong response, with in excess of 600 submissions being received. Details of the consultation response...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The programme for Government and the memorandum of understanding with the EU, the IMF and the ECB provide for the introduction of domestic water charges and the establishment of a State-owned water utility. The Government considers that charging for water based on usage is the fairest way and it has decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: If I had wanted to wash my hands of this problem, I would have done so a long time ago, as the State is not liable. Thanks to the panel's expertise, I have developed a set of recommendations that I am anxious to implement on behalf of home owners. I would like to believe that the stakeholders being consulted will be positive in their responses and will table proposals. I assure the Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: We will need to consider that matter following the responses from the stakeholders.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The pyrite report, which contains 24 interrelated recommendations covering a wide range of issues, provides a comprehensive framework to enable me and the other stakeholders to make progress towards providing solutions for homeowners. Implementation of many of the recommendations requires the involvement and co-operation of a number of stakeholders and other bodies. My Department and I will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Ellis realises that the State is not liable in this matter, and there is case law to show that. I do not know why the Government would be putting money into a system in respect of which it is not liable. We are facilitating a process to help homeowners who, through no fault of their own, have been put in a difficult position arising from the pyrite problem. In the report, it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am glad to tell Deputy Stanley that I have not issued any instruction to any local authority in regard to higher education grants, and I understand that moneys have not been withheld at this stage by Clare County Council in respect of higher education grants. I understand Clare County Council is in a position where it asked for a lot of information, not just about higher education, but...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have instructed all local authorities to collect the amount of money that is outstanding, and he would expect me to do that. He would be very familiar with the charge and the reason we have it. I have asked them to stay within their budget and use whatever means to do that. The Local Government Management Agency is in constant contact, as the agents who are dealing with this charge on...