Results 11,861-11,880 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Somebody has told me the Deputy is a barrister. I do not know but in here he is a Dáil Deputy like me. I should be clear that on the interim board of Uisce Éireann there is a single representative of the elected members of this country. I do not agree that such a representative will act in the manner described by the Deputy. I am absolutely satisfied that Uisce Éireann has...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy. I am exceptionally clear on the issue. Uisce Éireann is well aware of my views and those demonstrated by the Deputy. These issues have been discussed with its representatives on a regular basis. There is no belief, either on my behalf or in the Department, that Irish Water will not be accountable. I am satisfied that the body will be accountable and...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is an important point. Irish Water is obliged under legislation to consult with every local authority and to examine and get involved in discussions about county development plans, regional development plans and national plans. Irish Water has given a commitment, which it will follow up after 1 January, to have meetings with local authority members around the country on a regional...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Arrangements for communication between Uisce Éireann and elected representatives will take place in January. Irish Water and local authorities will establish local points of contact in keeping with the expectations of elected representatives. The contact point will be a local official who knows the water services. I mentioned a hotline for councillors. In addition to these reactive...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The section I am talking about provides that Irish Water shall prepare investment plans setting out where it considers infrastructure necessary for the effective performance of its duties. In developing that plan, Irish Water shall take account of the water services strategic plan prepared under section 26 and a range of other policy considerations and, specifically, local area plans,...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy the raising this point. The Bill provides that the payment of accrued pension benefits to local authority staff who transfer to Irish Water or Uisce Éireann, either now or following the termination of a service level agreement, will not be imposed on city and council councils. Councils will not have to pay. The service level agreement will provide for the payment...

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank all those who contributed to this debate. I appreciate that we have limited time but I wish to respond to the issues raised. This Bill has to be passed by the end of this session because if it were not in place on 1 January, local authorities would have responsibility for the entire water infrastructure but would have no means of paying for it.

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy.

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is the advice I have been given. I raised points of information to be helpful to Deputy Naughten.

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy in the way he is now doing. Deputies Cowen and Stanley raised the important issues of water poverty and ability to pay. These issues will be dealt with by the Government. The questions about the free allowance and affordability are also important and will be dealt with in a transparent manner long before the first bill comes through the door. As the bills...

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The water out provision will apply only to commercial premises.

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It tasted the same to them.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: On a point of information, an amendment has been introduced to address the issue raised by the Deputy.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am adhering to the order of the House. My time is up.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputies have a copy of the rest of my speech.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tá an Bille seo faoi bhráid na Dála inniu agus bhí díospóireacht an-mhaith sa Seanad coicís ó shin. Bhí tuairimí ag gach taobh den Teach agus d'éisteamar leo, agus táimid ag díriú ar cuid de na rudaí a dúireadh ag an am sin. This Bill is the second legislative milestone in the Government's strategy for the...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senators for the contributions from all sides of the House. While we have had a lot of time to discuss the amendments, given their nature I would have no difficulty going on all night because I believe this is very important. However, I accept the decision of the House. In particular, I believe the debate has helped inform accountability, which is what the questions that have...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, unless there is new legislation, but the Water Services Acts clearly state that a water resource cannot be sold. This affirms the principle the Senator and everybody else, including myself, wants, namely, that it cannot and will not be sold. With respect to everybody, that is exceptionally clear. Regarding all the other issues the Senator raised, we debated them and I am satisfied the...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: While I believe we have gone over much of this ground, in respect of amendment No. 45, the memorandum and articles of association are a requirement of the Companies Act to which Irish Water is subject in respect of governance. This is the reason I must oppose amendment No. 45. The key arguments made with regard to Irish Water-Uisce Éireann pertain to privatisation, and people on all...