Results 11,921-11,940 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do understand it.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will bow to the Senator's wisdom.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have nothing further to offer. I think I have answered all the questions.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: About the fluoridation.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Very much so.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It would not make sense if Irish Water did not consult. There would be no point in going through this process if it was just going to be thrown in the fire afterwards.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: As the capital guidelines set by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform already apply to the semi-State sector, Irish Water must comply with them. Many issues have been raised this evening, but I am not quite clear about how Senator Cullinane's point refers to this Bill specifically.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That might be better.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not have all of the answers. No more than anyone else, I do not have a crystal ball. Commercial water rates to local authorities currently amount to approximately €200 million per annum. That is significantly less than the total amount due. Therefore the issue is that as the economy improves and businesses become more sustainable, there will be more and more money coming in....

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

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

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The two-year period is the first plan and then I presume it will be reviewed every five years. It will be tied into the river basin management plans. I will speak to the amendment to make the point that the amendment is unnecessary as the provision is contained in the section. Irish Water must consult with local authorities. As such, the amendment is unnecessary.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The best example I can give the Deputy is that of Intel. It has given €32 million to the local authorities to provide the water supply it will need for the continuity of its development and projects in Leixlip. Major multinationals are very proactive because they need absolute security of supply and they are making a very significant contribution. It is not that Uisce Éireann...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I hear what the Senator is saying.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I can answer that.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: As far as I understand - I stand to be corrected by my two colleagues from County Waterford - Waterford County Council supplies the water to Waterford city. I think it comes from outside the city of Waterford.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am talking about the wastewater services that are supplied by the county council.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is an example of joined-up thinking. One sees public private partnerships everywhere one goes. There are design, build and operate facilities throughout the country. I understand the major supply for Limerick city comes from a place called Clare Hall just outside the city. I stand to be corrected on that. I do not think there is anybody here from County Limerick. Perhaps I have the...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I agree with Senators that the issue of water fluoridation needs to be addressed by way of a response from the Department of Health. It is not he job of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to address the issue, however. We accept the recommendations issued by the Department of Health. I will bring the issues Senators have raised to the attention of the...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is a job for Irish Water. It must consult the local authorities, decide on its strategies, identify priorities and draw up a plan. Once that has been done, the plan must be costed, at which point it will become a public document on which the Oireachtas may comment. It goes then to the Commission for Energy Regulation which proposes a decision on it. We can all comment on it again at...