Results 6,761-6,780 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: It refused to accept the need for an ability to pay clause or that the Irish Water model would be too cumbersome and would end up costing the taxpayer more, particularly given that the service level agreements left local authorities in charge of servicing and repairing infrastructure for the following two decades. It should never be forgotten that the Fine Gael and Labour Party Members who...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: Thankfully, that ludicrous decision has been overturned. During that debate and subsequently the Government failed to listen. It planned to appoint a regulator who would deal with the water charges issue. It was initially confident that the problem of perception about the level of charges could be kept at arm's length. I wonder what the Commission for Energy Regulation thinks of its role...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: Since the Government carried through its threat to establish Irish Water, it has rarely been out of the headlines. We have seen the recruitment of former CEOs of various county councils, as well as retired staff who had received lump sums from the public sector before being recruited on large salaries. All of this happened even before the infamous bonus culture was reported or it was let...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: The former Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, eventually shed crocodile tears, but it was only after he had been demoted that he described Irish Water as an unmitigated disaster. The horses had already bolted. More recently, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste disagreed with him when they claimed Irish Water was having teething problems. When the Opposition raised the fact that the...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: It is introducing caps on allowances for the next four years. As Buzz Lightyear, also known as the Minister for Finance, said, these measures will possibly extend beyond that timeframe. It will surely turn out to be "to infinity and beyond." If that is the case, there will not be much conservation of water. It defies all rationale for the introduction of water charges that no conservation...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: Can we adjourn until we get the motion?

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: You cannot propose anything.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: It is only fair and proper that any motion before the House would be available to Members before it is moved. That not being the case, I propose a five minute adjournment so we can obtain a copy of the motion.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: It was circulated to the Fine Gael Party.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: They have been getting ready for it for 12 months. One would think they would have it ready.

Leaders' Questions (18 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: Throw him out.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Insurance Cover (13 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: 77. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the transfer of information between the insurance industry and catchment flood risk assessment and management; the timeframe on the future implementation of information exchanges, if he has considered mandatory insurance based on the UK Flood Re model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43617/14]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure (13 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: 78. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular from the total funding of flood defences per annum broken down by county in 2008-2014. [43618/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Fund (13 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: 207. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the proposed Local Government Fund distribution in 2015. [43620/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff Numbers (13 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: 230. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide by county a breakdown of additional staff requests by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43619/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Funding (13 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: 231. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a per annum breakdown of total spending on water services, operational and capital in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013and 2014, and proposed in 2015 and 2016. [43621/14]

Nursing Home Support Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (11 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: I thank Deputy Kelleher for bringing forward this motion. Following receipt of many representations from families in my constituency on this issue, I raised it some six or eight weeks ago with the Minister by way of Topical Issue. As stated by Deputy Kelleher, this is unfortunately a real crisis borne out of a financial or accounting trick which has blown up in the face of Government. It...

Nursing Home Support Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (11 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Administration (11 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: 487. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of changes to the water charges system introduced since 1 October 2014. [42834/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Directives (11 Nov 2014)

Barry Cowen: 518. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of bringing Ireland into line with the EU water framework directive standards; the timeframe for the meeting of these objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43162/14]