Results 12,501-12,520 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is the maximum borrowing that the company can actually make. Regardless of where it borrows from or in whatever currency, that is the maximum it can borrow. Clearly, however, it will be trying to borrow in the best market for taxpayers.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: In the UK, the regulator fixed the price of water for a five-year period but it was varied within that period because of inflation.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. It was therefore tied into it. To answer Deputy Stanley's question, the troika agreement states that it must commence by 2014. However, the Government has made no decision as to when charging will commence. That is what is in the troika's timetable.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Not necessarily.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Bill gives the regulator power to commence the work and to consult on all these issues. As regards the point raised earlier by Deputies Catherine Murphy and Stanley, when a report is laid before the House, it is up to Members to read it should they wish to do so. For example, when I was on the committee dealing with transport, we brought in CIE representatives 12 times over a two or...

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sure.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The regulator will have a responsibility in legislation to have consumers' interests at the very heart of it. I could not imagine, therefore, that it would be a runaway train of cost increases. Everything will have to be tested properly, publicly and transparently. This Bill allows the regulator to start because it has no statutory powers at the moment. I wish to reassure Deputies that...

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 23:In page 11, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:14.—(1) All money from time to time required by the Minister for Finance to meet sums which may become payable by him or her under section 13 shall be advanced out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof. (2) The Minister for Finance may, for the purpose of providing for advances out of the...

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I know Deputy Cowen has read the legislation, which amends the Water Services Act 2007. This is what the Bill will do. It amends an existing Act which forbids privatisation.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I asked whether it could be included in this legislation as amended and the very clear advice of the Attorney General was that it is already in the Bill. It is like adding a carriage to train; it is already on the train but in a different carriage, and that is the legislation we are amending.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, there is.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: If and when this is passed-----

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Can I just make the point. It is like adding a carriage to a train which already has a similar carriage. We are giving more power to the energy regulator to do something and we are establishing a company.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is the big question.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Let me put it this way, the first station at which it is stopping is the one Fianna Fáil put it into, and we are trying to ensure everyone on it gets a fair deal, literally and metaphorically in every respect.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy and I ask him, difficult as it may be, to listen to me for a minute.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am absolutely clear that the next more substantive Bill will deal with and address all of the other issues which, rightly, properly and fairly, have been put before me today, including the framework for water charges. With regard to affordability, we have to get this right. Discussions are taking place and we have met all of the advocates. The ESRI report is not yet finalised. The...

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have no doubt the evidence is accurate but I ask the Deputy to accept the information given to me, and what I have seen with my own eyes is also very clear. It is very effective and is well worth visiting. I have never seen anything as efficient. It is well run and is accountable to the local authority. I hope this reassures Deputies on the issues they have raised.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 21:In page 10, to delete lines 31 to 54 and in page 11, to delete lines 1 and 2 and substitute the following:13.—(1) (a) In relation to borrowings by the Board under section 12, the Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister, may guarantee, in such formand manner and in such money (including money in a currency other than the currency of the State)...