Results 19,401-19,420 of 26,579 for speaker:John McGuinness
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: My final question relates to the Department and this money. A figure of €150 million is how you have tabled it here, Mr. Tierney, under the various headings. The Department did a test as to whether it provided value for money. The regulator said "as far as was possible" - I cannot remember the line from the presentation. The €50 million has been paid, so what is your view on...
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: Yes, but you have given them this famous letter.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: Do you have a view on that?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: He said the costs "appeared reasonable".
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: Sorry?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: A considerable amount of money has been spent and the regulator, in his comments, indicated that most costs "appeared reasonable". If €50 million is being spent, we should ensure they are reasonable and much more. In that context and in terms of value for money, is there a role for the Comptroller and Auditor General? We are dealing with taxpayers' money. Do the witnesses agree...
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: It can do so but it is not responsible to the Committee of Public Accounts. I am trying to establish a reasonable route for the Department, the CER and Irish Water so that Exchequer money usage to date can be analysed by somebody like the Comptroller and Auditor General. Is that not reasonable to ask? A considerable amount has been paid for auditors and the taxpayer has a serious...
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: From where will that money come? Will it come from the Exchequer or is it expected to come through Irish Water?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: Am I correct that it will have the authority to raise €2 billion?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: So €11 billion worth of assets and staff expertise and corporate intelligence generally will be handed over to Irish Water and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will support it in some way in terms of the €6 billion to €10 billion that is required to bring the infrastructure up to date. It is then proposed to charge the people that own the...
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: I know that. Some of these are policy matters. I am interested in the finances. Why did the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government not insist in the make-up of the legislation on the Comptroller and Auditor General following the money coming from the Exchequer? Why did that not happen? Was that considered? I know it is a policy decision in the end but did the...
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: I will explain the practice for this committee to Ms Graham. The practice has been that this committee cannot follow all of the money allocated to local government through our system. There is a type of mini turf war going on on the side for local government to retain the audit services and not use the Comptroller and Auditor General's office, for what reason I do not know. For example,...
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: That is not a wise thing to do.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: Perhaps Mr. Tierney or Mr. Dempsey will tell the committee the cost of treating a litre or other quantity of water?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: From your previous existence, as Mr. Tierney would be able to do.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: Mr. Dempsey, in that previous existence, then went on to charge the commercial sector €3 per cubic metre, in and out.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: I am adding to that then.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: That cost was €3.
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: Almost €3. Mr. Tierney also has knowledge of Kilkenny and other local authority areas. What is his view on this?
- Public Accounts Committee: Oversight of Irish Water: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)
John McGuinness: Mr. Tierney worked in a number of local authority areas, including Kilkenny and Galway. What was then the cost per litre of water?