Results 7,161-7,180 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Water Charges: Commission for Energy Regulation (1 Jul 2014)

Barry Cowen: The commission will not divulge the results of that assessment until it has measured the Irish water submission.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Water Charges: Commission for Energy Regulation (1 Jul 2014)

Barry Cowen: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Water Charges: Commission for Energy Regulation (1 Jul 2014)

Barry Cowen: Has the commission received a commitment from the Government in relation to the subvention over the next two and a quarter years? Can the commission adequately cater for and allow for low-income supports, for example? Perhaps this is another area in which the commission is not free to divulge any information until it has received Irish Water's submission and made a judgment on it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Water Charges: Commission for Energy Regulation (1 Jul 2014)

Barry Cowen: Not at all. I thank Mr. McGowan for his statement and what was contained in it. Despite the fact that many of his views and contentions are well meant, I do not think they can be fully substantiated until such time as they are challenged by virtue of a submission by Irish Water and by others, including political parties and various organisations throughout the State which will have much to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Water Charges: Commission for Energy Regulation (1 Jul 2014)

Barry Cowen: I have to adhere to that. My first point concerns flat rate charges. There has been a delay in the timescale but there will be no delay in charging, although Mr. McGowan did not allude to that. We know that about 1 million homes will not be metered when charges are introduced, despite the fact that €530 million will have been spent on metering. Mr. McGowan said he hoped to put...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Water Charges: Commission for Energy Regulation (1 Jul 2014)

Barry Cowen: The joint committee will now consider the topic of water tariff principles and proposals with representatives of the Commission for Energy Regulation. I welcome Mr. Garrett Blaney, chairperson and commissioner; Mr. Paul McGowan, commissioner; and Ms Cathy Mannion, director, and thank them for their attendance. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: The Minister of State's response to the proposed amendment was that she had ministerial power to ensure local authorities allowed for those on transfer lists to retain the option of obtaining a housing unit from the local authority. I do not doubt the Minister of State's bona fides and good intentions in that regard. However, like my colleagues and others, I fear that this is not enough....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (26 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: 132. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframe for the release of funds to organisations under the scheme to support national organisations; the reason for the delay in the allocation and distribution of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27604/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (26 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: 133. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total allocation per annum and by organisation under the scheme to support national organisations in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27605/14]

Beef Industry: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: I join my colleagues in thanking Deputy Ó Cuív for tabling this motion. Deputies on all sides of the House, from all parties and none, recognise the value of agriculture to this economy, especially in these straitened times. The beef sector has particular value to both the economy and the communities we serve. As many speakers indicated, buoyancy in the sector can only benefit...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (25 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: 31. To ask the Minister for Health the number of discretionary medical cards that will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27070/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (25 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: 40. To ask the Minister for Health the way he plans to develop and enhance the ambulance service nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27069/14]

Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister. I note much of what has been said about the ongoing process of investigation and reporting being carried out by Irish Water in addition to the information already in the local authority domain. The Minister has mentioned specifically that Irish Water suggests that the problem relating to lead piping and back-yard systems affects 5% of houses, a substantial number which...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: I am talking about lead.

Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: In the past few months the House has witnessed a series of revelations on the Government's plans to introduce water charges and establish what has become a super quango. The exorbitant consultancy costs, the bonus-driven culture, the failure to target investment and infrastructure and the introduction of charges when household incomes are under unprecedented pressure have constituted chronic...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Constitutional Convention Recommendations (24 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: 116. To ask the Taoiseach when and how he will respond to each of the outstanding recommendations of the Constitutional Convention; and the Government Department that has responsibility for each recommendation. [27182/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters Installation (24 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: 368. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the rights of persons to access water meters outside the curtilage of the homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26728/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (24 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: 369. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on his climate change policy in preparation for the Paris conference in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26729/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Data (24 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: 370. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department working on climate change policy in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26730/14]

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jun 2014)

Barry Cowen: I am seeking clarity from the Minister of State on the systems she intends to put in place. Unfortunately, the systems to which she referred are not reflected in the legislation before us. That is the kernel of the problem. During our Committee Stage debate, Deputy Joan Collins stated:I will ask again the question posed by Deputy Ó Fearghaíl. Is the Minister of State...