Results 11,801-11,820 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand that this waste water proposal, with which I am not entirely au fait, was made by Dublin City Council and the other local authorities in the relevant area. All of those issues transferred to Irish Water on the appointed day, which was 1 January last. The personnel in Irish Water would have to answer the questions about that project. The Senator also asked about contracts. If...

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am in the Acting Chairman's hands. If she wants me to sit down, I will do so.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am in the business of accountability. My job is to be responsible to the Dáil and Seanad but I am to be shut up, that is fine, although I am not about to shut up. I want to make three further points because it is very important to send out these messages.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: First, 36% of wastewater plants did not meet effluent standards in 2011. An EPA analysis shows that 570 incidents on licensed plants were reported in 2012. These are significant operational issues which must be addressed.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Senator. I wish to make one final point. The European Commission has launched a pilot infringement in respect of eight wastewater plants. Let us be clear-----

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: May I finish, please? I believe in transparency and accountability. It was my responsibility to bring the legislation establishing Irish Water through both Houses, although I was not responsible for the timetables. The legislation will ensure accountability and transparency and the Freedom of Information Act will apply to Irish Water. I will ask that all questions raised by Senators in...

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: On the point the Senator raises, I will outline what I believe should happen. Those who spent the sum in question are accountable. Mr. John Tierney must come before the committees, as he has done, and go through every single item of expenditure.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt Senator Mullen.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Members should go through every item of expenditure by Irish Water.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: All the questions Senators have raised, specifically those raised by Senator Mullen with regard to expenditure, will be answered in the Oireachtas. There can be nothing hidden and full transparency must apply in respect of all of these costs. The Freedom of Information Act should apply to each and every cost from the moment the first penny was spent. The national water supply system is...

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The House made the decision in that regard, not me.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: With respect, I want to be very clear on this.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: On a point of order, the time allocations in respect of debates in this House are decided by it and not by the Government.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Senator should not tar me with that brush.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: My officials have indicated that the proposal from Siemens was never actually-----

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senators for their comments and for the views they have expressed. Most of those currently in the Chamber were present for the debates on the two items of legislation relating to water. I am on record as stating that the best debates on said legislation took place in this House and that the most questions in respect of the various matters under discussion have been raised here. I...

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: If one is boiling water, one should not be paying for it.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Absolutely.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: On 18 December.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am pleased to be here again today to discuss this very important issue. I acknowledge that we had a very important debate over a number of days here in the Seanad and I believe many of the issues were dealt with there. I thank the Members for their views and I hope the replies to their questions provided transparency. Water charges have arisen from an agreement with the troika done by the...