Results 17,861-17,880 of 20,884 for speaker:Alan Kelly
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: Yes, I will. The real issue is that there is a list of loans which were taken out by local authorities. I do not hear Deputies present complaining about how local authorities borrowed this money during the years to ensure services were provided across the country.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: The provision being introduced is to facilitate the more efficient transfer of water service assets and liabilities from the various local authorities. Under the current legislation enacted in 2013, the Minister may designate by order water services property for transfer to Irish Water. Liabilities, including loans, relating to any such property would also automatically transfer at the same...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: There are no issues in respect of EUROSTAT.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: There are no issues with regard to the market-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: There are no issues-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: The Deputy asked me to answer a question and I am giving him my answer. There are no related issues. I repeat, this is already Government debt. That is a simple fact.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: Wait one second.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: Moreover, if it was transferred to Irish water-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: Yes, it is not being transferred.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: However, if it was transferred to Irish Water, it obviously could result in changes to its cost base that could have an impact on everything relating to it in respect of-----
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: It is not accountancy trickery.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: It would be if it was not Government debt, but the Deputy should note it is already Government debt. In response to issues raised regarding a list of local authorities and to provide the rationale for the figure of €11 billion, based on local authority accounts for 2013, a considerable amount of work has been undertaken in 2014 to identify all loans and liabilities. This work is...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: The issue is being pushed into a bracket in which it should not be. It is a necessary transaction. While it is a large figure, it has been flagged previously.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: Local authorities have water related loans totalling €600 million. That figure is broken down as follows: €150 million from various commercial lenders and, as has been outlined, approximately €450 million from the Housing Finance Agency. In May 2014 the Government agreed that these loans should not be transferred to Irish Water, as the combination of these loans and...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: I apologise as I meant to give the number with regard to the transfer to the Deputy earlier. Approximately 144 have transferred and 145 from local authorities for asset management, three from local authorities under the customer operations side and 16 under support services. Wages are a matter for management at Irish Water. Under the board's guidance, it will have to deal with pay and all...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 36:In page 12, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following:"(3) The Minister may request the Minister for Finance to make payments up to a total amount of €460,000,000 to local authorities for the purpose of repaying any Housing Finance Agency water related loans under section 5 of the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981 held by local authorities. The Minster for...
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: That is fair enough.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: Workers need to be protected. These are technical amendments relating to their pension schemes and I ask for the co-operation of the House to support them.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: It is a negligible number. I have some figures here and will read them into the record.
- Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)
Alan Kelly: I appreciate that Members have accepted that this section is quite technical and that it attempts to ensure everybody is protected. Everybody has a legal contract of employment and all income is pensionable. There are issues relating to the performance model and for that reason I have stated publicly that the issue must and will be dealt with quickly. It cannot remain an ongoing issue....