Results 11,881-11,900 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not mention that figure, it was Senator Barrett.

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

Fergus O'Dowd: An interdepartmental group was established to examine issues, including affordability and the free allowance. I welcome the viewpoints of all Members on both sides of the House on the question of affordability. The body is consulting with a number of groups on the free allowance and other issues. The interdepartmental group comprises representatives of the ESRI, the National Federation of...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Can I answer that?

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

Fergus O'Dowd: This is the legislation which provides for the plan to be done.

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

Fergus O'Dowd: No.

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

Fergus O'Dowd: As the Senator said, I may have inadvertently miscommunicated it, for want of a better way of putting it in English. There will be a debate here on all of these issues. The first debate is when Irish Water or Uisce Éireann makes its plan. First, it goes to the regulator and will become a public document, so it will be a matter for discussion and debate. The regulator then consults...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Legislation has the power and the power is given here but there will be accountability.

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not know if it is a fair analogy but one must look at the way the regulator makes decisions on electricity. The regulator consults but has the power to make the final decision. The Government does not set the charge for electricity, telecoms or all sorts of other sectors. It appoints a regulator to take on board all the views. Members of the Oireachtas will have a discussion on all...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: We and the Opposition have reached agreement in terms of what the Senator said about the intention of the Oireachtas to interrogate all these issues. I mean that in the broadest sense and not in a political sense. I met the regulator earlier today in connection with this issue. The regulator reassured me that, as was said in public and quoted in the Oireachtas document, it wants to be...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Barrett and the House for what happened earlier and acknowledge it. It is very welcome and shows the objectivity we have in debates, which I very much welcome. The Oireachtas has invigilating powers, particularly in respect of the water services plan, and will play a very important role in that. There will be legislation later which will take up some issues relating to the...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: These amendments provide that the Commission for Energy Regulation shall consider all of Irish Water's costs - its capital and operational expenses - when it is considering the water charges plan submitted by Irish Water. As I explained earlier, the costs submitted by Irish Water will be subject to detailed examination by the economic and technical specialists within the Commission for...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Perhaps I did not make the issue clear. I will try to clarify it again. The legislation is like a framework for what will happen. Addressing the questions of how Irish Water will operate, what it will do in people's counties and how the regulator will make its decision and compute costs - the regulator is on record as saying it wants to engage proactively - is the role of an Oireachtas...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The issue here is not about charges; it is already agreed in principle that they will happen. The issue is about a sustainable level of investment in our water infrastructure and how we can modernise our country's Victorian system of water services in terms of some parts of the pipe network, the unaccounted for water, and the inability of local authorities throughout the country to get new...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I appreciate that but I am trying to make the point that it will be comprehensive, and all those costs will be included together. The Senator will have the answer to his question when all of those figures are calculated and the analysis is done. It will go before the CER and there will be transparency in terms of that decision making process. Nothing is being hidden. There is nothing in...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: These are technical amendments to clarify the arrangements for the transfer of local authority staff to Irish Water following determination of an agreement under section 26.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It can also be reduced.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: These amendments are to provide for the transfer to Irish Water of licences and authorisations granted through a water services authority. Amendment No. 20 provides that any licence issued by a local authority under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 shall continue in force. Amendment No. 21 provides for the transfer of licences under certain enactments, namely, the Foreshore...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: These are two minor technical amendments to improve the drafting of section 14.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: This amendment provides that certain liabilities for loss occurring prior to the transfer day shall be against Irish Water and not a local authority. This is a limited transfer for existing claims and proceedings. Certain claims and-or pending proceedings will remain with the local authorities, including claims for the recovery of damages.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The amendment states that the funds will transfer, with a full and comprehensive table of all moneys transferred. I understand there will not be any money actually transferred, that any balance will be offset against other charges. Cash transfers will not take place. On the question of transparency, I do not believe that this needs to be included in the legislation because the local...