Results 8,821-8,840 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: For those that have a public supply there would be a knock-effect from this measure. I am part of a group scheme and if it is the case that an EU directive or otherwise makes it unsustainable for our contributions to maintain that into the future, we would hope that we could apply to an authority for that authority to take it in charge, in the same way as that authority takes in charge the...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: The Government must clarify the sections of society that will have a greater free allowance, so to speak, than others in this regard. I hope that decision is taken in the short term. Can the Minister confirm that the regulator will be given that responsibility or what direction will it be given in that regard?
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: I presume the new authority will be responsible for policing group water schemes following the enactment of the legislation.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: Is the Minister of State satisfied that the group schemes to which I refer currently comply with the various regulations and directives?
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: When responsibility is transferred to Irish Water from the local authorities, will it be the case that the maintenance directives will be enforced? Will it also be the case that if these are enforced, many schemes will be found not to be in compliance? If that is the case, will they be forcibly taken over? In the event that those responsible want the new authority to take a particular...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: I have not come across situations where local authorities have failed to take in charge group water schemes in circumstances where those responsible for such schemes wanted this to happen. I am conscious of the cumbersome directives which may come into place in the future in respect of the maintenance and management of group schemes. It could be that complying with such directives could...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: I have no problem in that regard. What we are discussing is my main concern with regard to group water schemes and the concept of a new water authority. I fear that if - despite the guarantees given to the Minister of State - said authority were sold off in the future, the high maintenance cost attaching to the group schemes might lead to them being seen as unprofitable by those who wish to...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: I ask for clarification of the amendment. The Minister of State refers to subsidiary and the board. Will local authority staff be employed?
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: The thrust of the amendment is a free allowance being part of any water policy once this Bill and the other are introduced. Can the Minister comment on the Government's intention in this regard and what sort of percentage of subvention will the Government pursue once this process enters completion stage?
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: I accept what the Minister said about low-income families. It goes without saying that there would be an allowance there but it is what happens over and above that which is the issue, as Deputy Murphy noted. Is the polluter pays principle at work here in the sense that an allowance will be calculated per the number of people in the household and anything beyond that refers to a charge? Has...
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: I would like the Minister of State to address the questions I asked about the amount mentioned in the section with regard to borrowings. That question may be answered by reference to what is being inserted in section 13.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: That is the maximum associated with this Bill, which simply provides for the authority to commence metering. The €500 million is purely for metering.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: Okay. The maximum figure is €500 million. The Minister of State cannot tell me at this point if the actual figure will be €400 million or €300 million.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: That is the most which will be spent.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: That is what I am saying. It is the most it will spend on metering.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: I understand that. I asked another question. I had to delve into this Bill to see that water metering will cost no more than €500 million. Will the Minister of State give a commitment to include in the next Bill a similar section that will tell me how much it will cost to ensure the network is fit for practice? At the moment, it is not fit for purpose.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: We do not have the figure.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: What is the figure?
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: I have been guessing the figures up to now. If the figures are there, all the better.
- Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)
Barry Cowen: We will be able to make a fair stab at the cost for each household at that stage.