Axing of Water Charges Is Within EU Law'
Axing of Water Charges Is Within EU Law'
Axing of Water Charges Is Within EU Law'
law
Friday, March 03, 2017
Ireland is not subject to the spectre of massive fines or
penalties for scrapping water charges thanks to the
freedom available to member states to set their own rules
over the EUs water laws, according to Fianna Fil.
Earlier:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/famili
es-could-see-water-charges-refund-779794.html
Households to get 325
in water bill refunds
Water refunds on the way as FG offers
olive branch to FF in row over charges
Kevin Doyle and Cormac McQuinn
March 3 2017
Neither of the main parties are worthy my vote. Both are intent on
lining their own pockets, while doffing their caps to the EU and
grabbing every cent from our pockets.
I do not know how I will vote in the next election, but I have never voted
for either of these parties and never will. I was a life long Labour party
voter, until they sold their souls for a place at the table, never again.
No head will roll.
They are on about water leaks and waste. What about the money leaks
and wastage from the Dail? They wanted to penalise in court and fine,
those that could not or would not pay, yet they get off the hook Scot-free
having squandered an absolute unadulterated fortune!
Those responsible for this disaster should be sacked without a pension.
Let's see how long they might survive in the private sector with their
levels of mismanagement of resources. Question is, who would be stupid
enough to hire any one of them??
'The minister said he wanted to find "a middle ground that everybody
can live with politically"'. The Blueshirts are absolutely desperate to save
a tiny bit of face here. Better they were sanctioned for wasting billions in
public money on a failed billing service and redundant water meters,
when that money could have been spent actually fixing faults in the
system, or on addressing the scandals in health, housing and
homelessness.
but here's the rub, FG promised major reform of the political
establishment, and end to the disgraceful practise of people on trolleys,
USC to go etc, etc, etc......none of these promises have been met instead
they've presided over the establishment of the largest quango this state
has seen, the worse homeless crisis we've seen in centuries, the largest
level's of patients on trolleys, the list goes on and on.
ironic to see barry cowen trying to look like the hero on this. we can't
forget it was his brother who was taoiseach at the time when the banks
were bailed out.
this country.
The downfall of the Labour party was very simply taken from the poor
the blind and the pensioners was there downfall and telling porkies to
the people while doing it made it worse. Therefore FG will soon find
out the same the people of Ireland cant stand been lied to by political
people that are overpaid and Cant do there job.
Another Cowen trying to stretch his muscles...personally I have had
enough of those guys.....NOW TO WATER CHARGES I FIRMLY
BELIEVE THAT THE WATER WASTERS OF THIS COUNTRY
SHOULD PAY AND IM AWARE OF RICH PEOPLE IN SOUTH
DUBLIN WHO HAVE NO PROBLEM IM LETTING THE SPRINKLERS
RUN AL DAY EVERY DAY TO KEEP THEIR GRASS GREEN...I
GENUINELY DONT SEE WHY THOSE PEOPLE DONT PAY FOR
WATER
Water solution is still the 8bn
conundrum
Friday, March 03, 2017
Jim Power
FF TD Cowen says
water row 'could
bring down
Government'
Updated / Wednesday, 1 Mar 2017
Barry Cowen pointed to the 'confidence and supply' agreement
This is the actual article body
Fianna Fil's Barry Cowen has said if the
Government does not abide by the 'confidence and
supply' agreement with his party on the issue of
water charges, it could bring down the Government.
It comes after Minister for Housing, Planning,
Community and Local Government Simon Coveney
said he would not introduce water legislation that
contravened EU directives and exposed the country
to large fines.
He said any water strategy needed to have a polluter
pays principle.
Fianna Fil says fines are a distant prospect and can
be averted.
Mr Cowen said that an Oireachtas committee set up
to consider the issue has not concluded its work, and
the intervention by Mr Coveney on the water issue
was premature, political and unprecedented.
The positions of Fianna Fil and Fine Gael on water
charges held up the talks to form the minority
government and it could now threaten its
continuation.
Their members both sit on the committee to discuss
the funding of water and it is currently veering
towards abolishing all charges including charges for
excessive usage, which Fine Gael strongly opposes.
Today's meeting of the Joint Committee on the Future
Funding of Domestic Water Services has ended
without agreement on how to proceed.
It is understood there were "testy
exchanges" between Fianna Fil and Fine Gael
members at the meeting, with Fianna Fil claiming
Fine Gael was refusing to set out its position.
Both parties are now to table position papers by
Friday and the committee will meet again next
Tuesday.
SLAN ABHAILE?
OH THE ARROGANCE!And just remember, if you do decide
to avail of these schemes... Get a reciept for any money
hand over, not to mention, a copy of their indemnity
insurance. Please start holding people ACCOUNTABLE for
the MONEY they are charging!!!!!!!And always ask the
question FIRST..... Will I be able to stay in my home!!!!
"Some borrowers are living in fear while others are living
in DENIAL, said Mr Varadkar.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald claimed the number of
mortgage restructurings has increased while the level of
repossessions had fallen slightly, and stated:
I would urge anyone worried about mortgage arrears on
their home to contact Mabs who are the GOVERNMENT
gateway to the range of supports available.
The Abhaile scheme is designed to help borrowers who are
insolvent and at risk of losing their homes. Users can
access three different panels of experts, including
personal insolvency practitioners, solicitors, and
accountants".
Ahem...Is this the same GOVERNMENT who forced you to
BAIL OUT THE BANKS?
Earlier:
It is being reported that a Dil group is supporting a
proposal to refund people who paid water bills.
"We are satisfied that will bea dealt with within the
commission but my gut reaction is that I don't think there
is anything to answer."
Committee expected to
recommend 100m water
charges refunds to those
who have paid up
Niall O'Connor
February 28 2017
1
There is growing unease within Government that failure to strike an
agreement on the issue could precipitate a general election
An Oireachtas committee set up to examine
the future of water charges is expected to
recommend the issuing of refunds to
households that have paid their bills to date.
Committee sources last night said there was now a
growing consensus that refunds should be issued in lieu of
the option of pursuing those who had boycotted the
charges.
Members are also leaning towards the introduction of an
excessive usage charge, which will be levelled on
households found to be wasting water.
The measure is a key recommendation in the report
produced by the expert commission on water charges.
Special provisions for those on group water schemes will
also form part of the package voted on in the Dil, sources
say.
But TDs and senators remain split on key issues, including
whether the metering programme should be continued.
With the Dil due to debate the issue of water charges next
month, the work of the committee has now entered its
most critical phase.
There is growing unease within Government that failure to
strike an agreement on the issue could precipitate a
general election.
While no measures have been agreed, various sources say
they believe the issue of refunds has emerged as one of the
least contentious issues.
The committee has now sought an option paper in relation
to how best to reimburse the one million households that
have paid their bills.
It's estimated that refunds will cost the State in the region
of 100m.
Given the Dil arithmetic, the overall fate of water charges
will depend on whether Fine Gael and Fianna Fil can
reach a "compromise", according to senior sources in both
parties.
Fine Gael remains in favour of a "modest charge" for
households and has said the recommendation by the
expert commission that the State becomes the main
customer of Irish Water, rather than the household, is
doable.
But Fianna Fil is coming under pressure to soften its
position, which has changed on several occasions already.
In its submission to the expert commission, the party
proposes the abolition of charges and the funding of the
water system through general taxation.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/committee-expected-to-
recommend-100m-water-charges-refunds-to-those-who-have-paid-up-
35488713.html
Where is the referendum to protect ownership of the Irish water supply
for the people of Ireland?
I've been funding the State for 40 years, and I do not want my
investment in public utilities and services handed over to private
opportunists. The Irish Water Quango has already well gouged the
State.
Anyone who paid up willingly should refuse a rebate. The many who
were intimidated into paying should accept a rebate.
Not without losing hugely at the polls. Their promise to abolish water
charges swung things in their favour in 2016. Maintaining that line now
is a vote catcher, in the same way that doing the opposite will lose
support massively. FF stole the clothes of AAA/PBP and others because,
while the Lefties did all the protesting, voters saw that FF was the party
which could actually bring change about and they did at least, get the
charges suspended. The Soldiers as we know, are motivated mainly by
power so I can't see how a policy of charging for water and selling IW
would bring that about. By contrast, Fine Gael is very much in favour of
privatisation in many areas, not simply water.
But of course, we'll all continue to pay for water indirectly, in one way or
another.
What a disgrace Fianna Fil are. Committing economic sabotage against
their own people for short term political gain.
Months later, the call came through. "It's happening." That's all
Dean said. "And we need you to write the words." This remarkable
man had been working relentlessly with the equally remarkable
Brendan Ogle and they had set in motion a philosophical,
humanistic and, most importantly, pragmatic plan to protect our
most vulnerable and inspire our collective spirit. I went to a bar and
tried to write. Nothing came out. I called Dean and asked who am I
writing for? Who do you want, is what he said? I wanted the most
famous working class Dublin artist there has ever been, Jim
Sheridan. Dean said, I'm on it.
I ordered another drink but the words wouldn't come. All the
standard bullshit that goes with fear and doubt and ego and vanity
and hubris and judgement was kicking in but then the simple
realisation hit. This is not about fear. This is about strength. Just tell
the truth. The words came. Called Dean. Quietly read them over the
phone as the full bar was singing Christmas songs. He listened then
whispered, "Shivers, brother, shivers."
Then last night I get another call from Dean. There's a comedy gig in
the Axis Theatre, where we started this conversation all that time
ago, and Dean wants me to read the words to the audience. A
comedy audience? Only he could think it was a good idea. Only he
could make me put the fear aside and do it. Only he could know it
would inspire a standing ovation. This is our Ireland.
Every single person alive has to watch this video
It's NOT "Irish Water
It's ""IRELAND'S Water"
OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE ON
WATER MUST RECOMMEND
ABOLITION OF WATER CHARGES
28 February, 2017
Oireachtas Committee on Water must recommend abolition of water
charges
Conclusion
Overall then we can see from the evidence presented here the
dangerous amount of power and influence that global corporations
are being given through PPP projects in the water/waste-water
infrastructure in Ireland, and the way in which the state is actively
facilitating this neoliberalisation of water governance. Private
corporations, facilitated by the Irish state, are imposing their
corporate model as the future for government and public service
and infrastructure delivery. It is a dystopian future for citizens
whereby private corporations will provide and profit from (and
speculatively trade on financial markets) all aspects of government
including public services and infrastructure through highly
profitable contracts paid for by nation states and local government.
It is the ultimate privatisation and commodification of all public
goods and infrastructure. This is the neoliberal project laid bare.
What David Harvey describes as accumulation by dispossession.
It is about taking the resources (and assets) away from state public
services and infrastructure which benefit the working and middle
classes and instead funnelling them to the wealthy and private
corporations. PPPs are playing a strategic role in this process of
capturing public services and assets for private investment and
wealth accumulation. The global and EU trade liberalisation rules
and new treaties such as CETA and TTIP also support PPPs by
further obliging national governments to liberalise markets for
services and infrastructure on a global scale.
An excellent article critiquing the impact of PPPs and water
privatisation in India describes the process of privatisation through
PPPs which can also be applied to the Irish case:
But whatever the nuances, although formal ownership continues
to nominally vest with public entities, all these public-private
partnerships are undoubtedly different forms of privatization, with
public bodies ceding varying degrees of control over quantity,
quality, coverage and pricing to corporate bodies. Since the private
party is in the business for profit, water in such privatized utilities is
always viewed, valued and managed in terms of its price.
Whatever the specific form of involvement of private players, water
moves from being a common good to a commodity, with all that
this implies.
The evidence shows, therefore, that PPPs are a complex form of
intensive privatization, marketization and commodification of the
Irish public water and waste-water infrastructure system. Private-
sector involvement has not guaranteed a better-quality service and
additionally, the private operators profit maximisation requirements
has resulted in the running down of service quality, workers
conditions and turning the assets into commodities to be profited
from. They ensure big profits for global water and
governance/development corporations and financial investors and
rising costs and ineffective services for public service users, and
the erosion of workers rights. Thus they contribute to the
exacerbation of economic inequality.
The values and ideals of social rights that inform public-sector
values and priorities are undermined by the market ethos of PPP
policy making. Under this process, public service users are
converted into clients and consumers and a revenue stream. All
of this evidence shows how the pursuit of PPPs are an ideological
policy. The evidence does not support the use of PPPs in public
water and waste water infrastructure provision. They are being
pursued principally because of policy makers adherence to (and
belief in) neoliberal privatisiation policies rather than any evidence
based justification.
Remunicipalisation
In recent years governments and local authorities across the
world, in response to the failure of water privatisation such as
increased water charges and poor service delivery by the private
companies, and under pressure from citizen campaigns asserting
the human right to water, have started a process of
remunicipalisation taking water and waste-water services back
into public management. Our public water future: The global
experience with remunicipalisation, a book published last year
shows the growing wave of cities putting water back under public
control with 235 cases of water remunicipalisation in 37
countries, affecting over 100 million people, between 2000 and
2015. The number of cases doubled in the 2010-2015 period
compared with 2000-2010. France, a country that spearheaded
water privatisation and PPPs has lead the way with 94 cases of
remunicipalisation. Also recently a large majority of the Barcelona
City Council voted to end the private management of water and
support the remunicipalisation of the water service in of Barcelona.
Barcelona En Comu, the new citizens movement who holds the
Mayorality of Barcelona, promoted the measure as it was one of
the most popular among citizens in their participatory process
carried out to define the Municipal Action Plan (the plan that guides
city policy). Barcelona En Com, believes that water is a human
right, a basic service and a common good that should be under
public, democratic control.
Slovenia also recently amended its constitution to make access to
drinkable water a fundamental right for all citizens and stop it being
commercialised.
The new article in the constitution reads that Water resources
represent a public good that is managed by the state. Water
resources are primary and durably used to supply citizens with
potable water and households with water and, in this sense, are
not a market commodity.
It was reported in the Guardian that the Slovenian Prime Minister
encouraged the change because: people should protect water
the 21st centurys liquid gold at the highest legal leveland that
Slovenian water has very good quality and, because of its value,
in the future it will certainly be the target of foreign countries and
international corporations appetitesAs it will gradually become a
more valuable commodity in the future, pressure over it will
increase and we must not give in. Slovenia is the first European
Union country to include the right to water in its constitution, while
15 other countries across the world had already done so.
The on-going implementation of PPPs shows that the Irish public
water system has already been part-privatised/outsourced and
without a change of direction and policy it is in danger of being
further marketised and privatised. This lends support to the case
being made for a Referendum that could enshrine the Irish water
system as a public good and human right in the Constitution and
thus provide a constitutional guarantee on the public ownership of
our water. The Expert Commission found that the most commonly
expressed preferred method for confirming Irish Water in public
ownership was by a constitutional amendment, and that the
provision for a plebiscite, as provided for in the existing legislation
did not provide the necessary level of guarantee.
Sources:
Hearne, R. (2011) Public Private Partnerships in Ireland: failed
experiment or the way forward? Manchester University Press
Available at:
http://www.academia.edu/30178583/Trends_in_historical_develop
ment_of_the_Irish_state_public_services_and_infrastructure
Hearne (2012) http://politico.ie/society/public-private-partnerships-
ireland-failed-experiment-or-way-forward
Hearne (2009) Origins, Development and Outcomes of Public
Private Partnerships in Ireland: The Case of PPPs in Social
Housing Regeneration Dr Rory Hearne
http://www.combatpoverty.ie/publications/workingpapers/2009-
07_WP_PPPsIn...
Alan Kelly, 28th April 2015, Dail Eireann,
https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2015-04-28a.1222
Comptroller and Auditor General (2016) Briefing Note on PPPs
https://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/committees/pac/corres
pondence/2016meetings/meeting4-21072016/PAC32-R-42-B-(B)---
Briefing-Note-on-PPPs-from-CAG.pdf
Comptroller and Auditor General (2011) Annual Report
http://www.audgen.gov.ie/documents/annualreports/2011/report/en/
Chapter6_01.pdf
Irish Times (2008) Report recommends upgrade of Ringsend
waste plant
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/report-recommends-upgrade-of-
ringsend-was...
Hell Bent on Water Privatisatin in Dehli
(http://newsclick.in/india/hell-bent-water-privatization-delhi)
Oireachtas (2013) Public Private Partnerships Data, July 2013,
http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates
%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2013071600112
Reeves, E. (2014) Public Capital Investment and Public Private
Partnerships in Ireland 2000-2014: A Review of the Issues and
Performance
https://www.socialjustice.ie/sites/default/files/attach/policy-issue-
article/4004/2014-11-18-eoinreeves-investmentandppps.pdf
Shiva, V. (2006) RESISTING WATER PRIVATISATION, BUILDING
WATER DEMOCRACY,
http://www.globalternative.org/downloads/shiva-water.pdf
The 2010 Department of Environment Report on the Value for
Money for Review of the Water Services Investment Programme
2007-2009
The Guardian (2016) Slovenia Adds Water to Constitution
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/18/slovenia-
adds-water-...
[i] I have not, as of yet, been able to gather data on the other 95
water/waste-water DBO PPP contracts because they are of a
smaller individual value and have been undertaken directly by local
authorities with little input from the Department of Environment.
Therefore the C & AG does not provide the same level of detail on
these projects.
WATER COMMISSION REPORT
VINDICATES RIGHT2WATER
CAMPAIGN
OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE ON
FUTURE FUNDING OF WATER
SERVICES-STATE OF PLAY
CHARGE FOR EXCESSIVE USE OF DOMESTIC
WATER IS JUST A TRICK TO COMMODIFY
DOMESTIC WATER AND TO RE-INTRODUCE
DOMESTIC WATER CHARGES BY THE BACK
DOOR AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION
FOR A CHARGE FOR EXCESSIVE USE F
Against a Charge for Excessive Use A
Senators
-
Analysis
Report of Expert Commission on
Domestic Public Water Services
Double Taxation To Pay for Water a Second
Time Water Recommended by Commission
5.2.17 The recommended Funding Model, if implemented, will
place the main burden of financing the operational cost of providing
domestic water services on the exchequer to be paid for through
taxation. The Question of whether there should be a dedicated
tax, a broadly based fiscal instrument, or an adjustment to
existing taxes to fund this requirement would be a matter of
Budgetary Policy and outside the scope of this report, but is worthy
of further consideration.-Commission Report Page 35
The underlying assumption in the above recommendation is that
domestic water should be paid for by the citizens for a second time.
This must be firmly rejected.
New Dedicated Tax suggests an LPT style arrangement which
would convert a charges system to a tax liability which can be
compulsorily deducted from income at source. This can be imposed
on deprived househols with no taxable income (eg socia welare)
A boadly based Fiscal Instrument means that there would be a
specific provision in law for some kind of water or house tax
including water tax. This can be imposed on deprived househols
with no taxable income (eg socia welare)
Adjustment to Existing Taxes means that there should be a
general tax increase to pay a second time for water through an
adjustment of rates/bands/ allowances/ tax credits.
The money which is being paid and was being paid for water
services through taxation for many years was not used for water
services BUT WAS GIVEN TO OTHERS AND IS BEING SPENT FOR
OTHER PURPOSES. It is being used to und part of the 7 Billion in
interest being paid annually on money borrowed to bail out banks
and billionaire bondholders. It is also being used partly to fund the
172 million reduction of personal taxes on the top 5% of income
recipients on an average of 186,000Eu per year.
The 172 billion tax reduction must be cancelled. A tax on the
Financial Assets of the top 10% whose financial assets are now 35
billion above peak boom level could be used to fully fund water
services.
Water charges and Irish water Must Be fully abolished. We will not
pay Twice
Teach Laighean
Baile tha Cliath 2
Leinster House
Dublin 2
05 July 2016
Yours sincerely
__________________
Maria Bailey T.D.
Chairman of the Select Committee
FORMER Public Spending Minister, Brendan Howlin, has said a law before the Dil to
suspend water charges effectively breaks EU law.
T Nl
McConalogue, Charlie.
McEntee, Helen.
McGrath, Michael.
McLoughlin, Tony.
Madigan, Josepha.
Martin, Michel.
Moynihan, Aindrias.
Moynihan, Michael.
Murphy, Dara.
Murphy, Eoghan.
Murphy, Eugene.
Naughton, Hildegarde.
Neville, Tom.
Noonan, Michael.
OBrien, Darragh.
OCallaghan, Jim.
OConnell, Kate.
ODowd, Fergus.
OKeeffe, Kevin.
OLoughlin, Fiona.
ORourke, Frank.
OSullivan, Jan.
Penrose, Willie.
Rabbitte, Anne.
Rock, Noel.
Ryan, Brendan.
Sherlock, Sean.
Smyth, Niamh.
Stanton, David.
Troy, Robert.
Varadkar, Leo.
T Nl
-
Abolition of Water Charges Must be a Red Line Issue for
Participation in Government!
Submission to Right 2 Water Unions by Workers and
Unemployed Action Including Pledge to Be Signed by General
Election Candidates to be Endorsed by Right2Water Unions
WUA Submission
Workers and Unemployed Action is a nationally registered political
party. Seamus Healy TD will be contesting the next General
Election on behalf of WUA.
A small extract from our constitution and rules encapsulates the
political position of the party:
1. With James Connolly, Workers and Unemployed Action is
committed to achieving Irish Unity, Independence and Socialism. It
is opposed to any intrusion on the sovereignty of the Irish people.
2 WUA supports and defends Irish military neutrality
3 WUA supports the struggles of workers, unemployed and oppressed
people all over the world.
4 It is dedicated to advancing the political reorganisation of the
working class on an All-Ireland basis in a united all-Ireland party of
workers.
5 It is opposed to coalition or collaboration with conservative parties
in Government or other public authorities as a matter of principle.
(This means that WUA will not be participating in a coalition
government with FF, FG, Renua)
Full constitution and rules can be viewed on our website and by
clicking here
https://wuag.wordpress.com/about/constitution-and-rules/
WATER CHARGES
WUA is strongly in favour of the abolition of domestic charges and
the recognition of access to free domestic water as a human right.
We participated in the previous campaign which succeeded in
abolishing water charges and also in campaigns against bin taxes
and local property tax.
We therefore welcome the initiative of the Right2Water unions in
attempting to use the next election as one means of bringing about
abolition of the charges.
Campaigns for non-payment by those in a position not to pay and
mass protests against government policy and the installation of
water meters in residential areas must continue in parallel with this
electoral initiative.
We have no difficulty endorsing the content of the 5-union policy
document though WUA has strongly held additional political
positions and principles.
In addition to WUA, there will be several political parties and
individuals including individual Dail deputies and senators,
committing themselves to abolition of domestic water charges in the
general election.
Inevitably these will have differences on fundamental issues
including participation or non-participation in government with other
parties.
But we think it important that all candidates endorsed by
Right2Water regard abolition of domestic water charges as a red
line issue for participation in government or remaining in
government. Otherwise, should candidates endorsed by
Right2Water fail to win an overall majority in the General Election,
the elected deputies would have no further obligation to
campaigners against the charges. They could participate in or
support a government which continued the charges WITHOUT
BREAKING THE PLEDGE if there are not additions to the current 5-
union document ON WATER CHARGES. This would be grossly
unfair to activists who campaigned for such candidates or
who recommended votes for them.
Irish Water PLC and domestic water charges will be
abolished within the first 100 days of a Government
endorsing this policy.-Right2Water Unions Document
WUA endorses this pledge.
However, since the fundamental duty of a Right2Water campaign is
to ensure, as far as possible, the abolition of the charges we think
that the following should be added to the above:
Suggested Water Charges Pledge to Be Presented for
Signature to Candidates in the coming General Election who
seek endorsement by Right2Water Campaign
I am unconditionally in favour of the abolition of domestic Water
Charges and I will vote for such abolition in Dil Eireann at the first
opportunity.
I shall not participate in or support the formation of any
government which is not formally committed in its programme for
government to the abolition of domestic water charges within 100
days of taking office.
I shall not remain in or continue to support any government which
fails to fully abolish domestic water charges within 100 days of
taking office.
In signing this pledge I am fully aware that the current FG-Lab
government has surrendered the Irish Exemption from The EU
Water Framework Directive (article 9.4) which legally absolved
Ireland and Ireland alone from the requirement to charge for
domestic water.
Conclusion
UNITY TO REMOVE WATER CHARGES!
It is important that opportunist candidates be prevented from
climbing on an anti-water charges band wagon in order to gain
election only to betray later. The enhanced pledge above minimises
the chances of this occurrence and maximises the chances that
water charges will be abolished. WUA strongly recommends the
enhanced pledge above.
So the Government gains 800 million savings on the expenditure side but
loses 250 million on the revenue side. This leaves a saving of
approximately 550 million. This is pretty much the same number that Dr.
McDonnell arrives at: 527 million.
Ok, so we have sorted that out. The actual cost of removing water charges
would be 550 million yes? No, that's not it either. Because the
Government is spending money as part of the move to water charging
spending that wouldnt exist if there werent the charges. Dr. McDonnell
states that he doesnt factor these in. So lets do that. There are three
expenditures:
First, Social Protection is increasing subsidies to the Household Benefit
Package and recipients of the National Fuel Allowance scheme to offset the
cost of their water bills. This will cost 66 million.
Second, a water tax credit scheme is being introduced. This will cost 40
million.
Finally, the cost of providing free water allowanced for children is on the
books; that is, it is counted as government expenditure.
Social transfers in kind include such items as free travel on public
transport, fuel allowances and the child-based free allowance related to
water charges.
How much does this cost? The Government doesnt say. But we can
estimate. There were approximately 1,170,000 recipients of Child Benefit.
Each one of these children should be receiving a free water allowance of
21,000 litres per year. On the basis that this will cost 102 per child, this
brings the total cost to 119 million. But this is just an estimate so lets be
conservative and round it down to 100 million.
When we add up these costs Social Protection subsidies, tax relief and free
water allowances for children it comes to 200 million. This will cost the
Government.
When we subtract these expenditures from the 550 million net savings to
the Government from moving Irish Water off the books, the bottom-line
savings is between 300 and 350 million. Heres the summary table.
So the Government claims removing water charges will cost 800 million.
But when we factor in the lost revenue (commercial water charges) and
additional expenditure (Social Protection subsidies and tax cuts), the net
cost will less than half that: between 300 and 350 million.
Why is this so important? Because it shows that if water charges were
removed, the impact to the deficit would be miniscule (0.16 percent of
GDP). This would still leave the Government well below the deficit target.
The Government is refusing to listen to people not because it would
undermine their deficit target but because . . . well, you supply the answer.
The Government can claim its numbers are right but only if they ignore the
losses and additional expenditure. This is highly misleading. They do not
refer to net costs; they do not refer to the net impact on the deficit. This is
no way to debate public finances.
Of course, both Dr. McDonnells and my own calculations are just estimates.
There is one body that can bring complete clarity to this issue: the
Government. But they are refusing to answer simple questions in the Dail.
Therefore, the appropriate Oireachtas Committee should take up this issue
either the Public Accounts Committee or the Joint Committee on Finance,
Public Expenditure and Reform. It is up to legislators to protect the
integrity of the debate over public finances.
There is a simple rule in debate: when someone obfuscates, avoids direct
questions and resorts to throwing out numbers without reference to the
bottom line, you can be assured: they have something to hide.
No wonder 150,000 people were out marching last weekend. They oppose
water charges. And they, rightly, dont trust the Government on this issue.
Unrealistic Timelines: Water Charges and the Fiscal
Deficit
During a recent debate on water charges, Minister Alan Kelly had this to say
about Government policy:
I would go so far as to say that the timelines operating to date have been
somewhat unrealistic, squeezing many years of work into too fine a
condensed period of months.
To which a reasonable policy response would be abandon the current
timeline; in particular, the introduction of water charges. If the timelines
are unrealistic then, clearly, it is realistic to proceed with the charges.
However, an argument that has arisen in the last week is that if water
charges were abolished, suspended, postponed, put in cryogenic freeze,
whatever, it would have a negative impact on our deficit. This arises
because Irish Water is now off-the-books for the purposes of calculating
our deficit. This means that, unlike in the past, expenditure in water
services is not counted as government expenditure since more than 50
percent of its revenue comes from non-government services (i.e. household
and business charges). There is an exception to this which is discussed
below.
So how much would it cost the state to get rid of the charges? I have heard
claims that it would cost an extra 600 million, 800 million, 1 billion and
more. Would it?
FFs Micheal McGrath asked the Minister of Finance a pretty straight-forward
question:
To ask the Minister for Finance the deficit in nominal and percentage
terms which would exist in 2015 if domestic water charges were not
applied, and the costs associated with water provision if brought fully back
on to the State's books.
The Minister refused to answer the question or even offer an estimate. So
when you hear Ministers, backbench TDs and commentators going on about
how much it would cost the state to get rid of water charges, just
remember: the Minister for Finance refused to tell the Dail how much.
[Also, SFs Angus Snodaigh also asked the same Minister Kelly the amount
it will cost to provide water and sewerage services in 2015. Again, no
answer. What does it take to get a direct answer to a direct question?]
Given the official silence on this issue, I went in search for the answer. The
PwC report on water services published in late 2011 stated that the cost of
water services, which includes investment, was 1.1 billion in 2010. Lets
assume some growth in spending, though during this period it could have
easily been cut (Eurostat numbers show a steady reduction of expenditure
since 2010 but they have a different method of categorising water
expenditure so we cant be sure if were comparing like-with-like).
If the cost of providing water services in 2015 is 1.2 billion, and the 533
million is on-the-books, then the Government will benefit by 667 million.
Therefore, if there were no water charges, then the deficit would rise by
667 million.
However, the Minister also stated that 233 million in revenue from non-
domestic sources (does this refer to businesses?) counts as Government
revenue which wouldnt be the case with households. I cant say
conclusively how this impacts but if given that off-the-books revenue must
be at least 50 percent, and the Government has trimmed this to be as low
as possible, we could be looking at a saving of only 300 million for the
Government.
And the cost of the child-free water allowances will also count as
government expenditure. If the charges were abolished, so would this
expenditure.
Is this clear? No, but the Government has refused to answer straight-
forward questions. To complicate matters further the Government is
intending to spend 223 million in an equity investment in Irish Water. But
if we just freeze the situation, this 223 million wouldnt arise, so we
shouldnt allow this to be thrown into the pile.
So what have got? On a static basis:
7 If the savings to the Government were 667 million, then the deficit would
rise by 0.3 percent. The Government would still hit its 3 percent deficit
target.
If the savings were 300 million, then the deficit would rise by only 0.1
percent meaning the Government would come in comfortably below target
(at 2.8 percent).
However, this is on a static basis. One has to estimate three things: first,
with the removal of the water charges, consumer spending will rise, thus
increasing GDP (for most people, every 1 not spent on water charges is
likely to be spent in the domestic economy). A higher GDP means a reduced
deficit (as a percentage of GDP).
Second, tax revenue rises from the increased spending; this has a downward
pressure on the deficit.
Third, social protection costs may fall if employment arises from this
increased spending; again, putting downward pressure on the deficit.
Therefore, the Government would come in below their targets. And thats
for 2015. When you estimate the impact on the deficit for 2016 and
beyond, it makes little difference to the deficit as it will be falling
substantially.
If my estimates of costs hold then the Government will hit its fiscal targets
next year and the following years. I am open to correction but the only
ones who can do that are the Government and they aren't telling.
The Government should call a halt to this mess called Irish Water. It is a
toxic brand that no amount of re-branding will save. If the Government, as
part of a panic measure to mollify the opposition, caps water charges until
2016, this could actually threaten the ability of the Government to keep
expenditure off the books (never mind the whole conservation mojo). The
Government would be imposing charges, but be unable to keep the spending
off the books. All economic pain, no fiscal gain.
Stop the mess. Put the numbers out into the public domain. Go back to the
drawing board.
There are other, better ways to finance water investment, dis-incentivise
wasteful consumption and fund a modern, state-of-the-art water and waste
system.
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-
files/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad
%2C29193%2Cen.pdf
Department of Finance
Water Charges Introduction
end .main
All Written Answers on 21 Oct 2014
Previous answer
Next answer
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)Link to this:
Individually | In context 1415055600, 1488324833 | Oireachtas source
246. To ask the Minister for Finance the deficit in nominal and
percentage terms which would exist in 2015 if domestic
water charges were not applied, and the costs associated
with water provision if brought fully back on to the State's
books; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40441/14]
end .main
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
further notes:
condemns:
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
The only thing Irish Water has done since being established is to
spend 500 million on installing meters and 180 million on
consultants and a billing system. Irish Water is not spending one
additional euro on investment in the network or water and
sewage treatment plants compared with what was spent the
previous year by the local authorities - not one single euro. When
one considers the amount that subsidies will cost taxpayers,
through tax credits and people receiving social welfare
allowances, the net income of Irish Water will only be
approximately 175 million per annum. It will take four years to
recoup the funds invested in the meters, consultants and the
billing system based on the revenue from the domestic charges
the Government hopes people will pay next year. This is
assuming a relatively high number of people pay their bills. The
Government is threatening the financial viability of Irish Water,
and in doing so it will have to recoup the cost over the coming
years and less will be spent on the infrastructure rather than
more, which is needed.
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
notes that:
following on from the requirement to introduce water charges
as part of the agreement with the troika, the Government
provided for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver a
clean, reliable and affordable water supply with a charging
system based on usage;
welcomes:
the progress with the roll-out of the domestic metering
programme being delivered by Irish Water with some 450,000
meters installed to date, supporting some 1,300 jobs; this level
of meter installation now significantly exceeds the 400,000
target for end-2014 already indicated to the CER;
At the outset, I acknowledge that the past few weeks have seen
some difficulties in communication and public engagement
concerning Irish Water. I fully accept this. I accept that for the
public, for some of the utility's customers, the customer
registration process has been frustrating and at times confusing,
and the charging structure is not as easy to understand as it
should be. I believe Irish Water also accepts this.
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .main
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .main
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .main
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
Irish Water will fund its activities with revenue from a number of
sources including domestic and non-domestic water charges,
Government subvention, commercial borrowing and equity
investment. Domestic water charges will commence with effect
from 1 October 2014 and Irish Water will issue the first bills to
domestic customers from January 2015. The approach to
charging was outlined by Irish Water in their Water Charges Plan
(WCP) submitted to the CER in line with the provisions of the
Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.
http://www.nerinstitute.net/blog/2014/11/05/thoughts-on-the-
funding-of-water-services/
Water Charges, Water Poverty and Water Credits
http://www.nerinstitute.net/download/pdf/water_model_inbrief.pdf
Summary
Until October of 2014 water and wastewater services in Ireland
were funded through general taxation with an additional
contribution from commercial rates. Usage based water
charges take effect from October for residential households
and are expected to raise close to 370 million on an annual
basis. Charges based on use should improve water
conservation as well as the economic efficiency of water use.
However, consumption charges are regressive, impact
disproportionately on low income households and raise
affordability concerns. The current system of free allowances is
expensive, poorly targeted and economically inefficient.
Alternative models are described, including a water credit
model to alleviate water poverty, and a zero free allowance
model to generate a more progressive distribution of the cost
of water service provision. These options are discussed in the
context of the current regime; a changed water regime may be
able to more effectively deal with issues of water poverty,
affordability, efficiency and conservation.
Key Points
c Water policy pursues multiple objectives. These include
affordability and social concerns, environmental sustainability,
financial sustainability and economic efficiency.
c Moving the funding model from general taxation to user
charges reduces the progressivity of the overall system of
taxes and benefits, and raises issues of water affordability and
water poverty.
c Using universal free allowances to reduce the average
tariff level over the population is costly and reduces the scope
for targeted affordability measures for lower income groups.
c The most economically efficient way to protect vulnerable
households and to prevent hardship is to supplement the
capacity to pay of low-income households through direct cash
transfers or some other income supplement.
In the longer-term the universal free allowance
system should be completely replaced by a system of income
related water credits. This would best protect low income
households.
http://www.nerinstitute.net/research/water-charges-water-poverty-
and-water-credits/
Inequality" category An Irish Wealth Tax Posted on December 21,
2016
http://www.fiscalcouncil.ie/wp-
content/uploads/2016/11/FAR_301116_Final.pdf
David Begg also said that in order for Ireland to meet the 3%
budget deficit target in 2015 a net adjustment of 800 million would
be required in the budget. On this basis, Mr Begg said that there is
no room for tax cuts in 2015 as any such cuts would have to be
funded by a tax increase elsewhere.
The current system of tax credits has a limited impact for many
low-paid workers who do not earn sufficient income to use up their
full tax credits. The introduction of refundable tax credits would
tackle this issue as the unused portion of their tax credits would be
refunded to such workers. A study undertaken for Social Justice
Ireland identified that 130,000 low-paid workers and their families
would benefit from refundable tax credits.
David Begg said that Government must be very cautious in how it
handles the introduction of water charges.
Yours sincerely,
Blue Planet Project
Council of Canadians
European Water Movement
Food & Water Europe
Wasser in Brgerhand (Water in Citizens Hands, Germany)
[1] Resolution of the European parliament, 2014/2239
(INI), no 22
[2] AbitibiBowater vs. Canada, amount paid CAD $130
Comments on Article 1.9 of CETA by prof. Gus Van Harten
[3] Vattenfall vs. Germany, amount claimed 1.4
billion, p. 23
[4] Krajewski, Markus (2016). Model Clauses for the
Exclusion of Public Services from Trade and Investment
Agreements.
[5] Directive 2014/23/UE of the European parliament and
of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of
concession contracts
[6] Krajewsky, Markus (2016). Op. Cit.
[7] Allianz der ffentlichen Wasserwirtschaft e.V., 2016.
Wasserwirtschaft im Sog des Freihandels-CETA.
Prof. Laskowski, 2016. Rechtliches Gutachten zu mglichen
Versten gegen Investitionsschutzregelungen des
Freihandelsabkommens CETA durch Manahmen der
kommunalen Wasserwirtschaft, ISDS,
Schiedsgerichtsverfahren und Haftungsfragen.
Stadtwerke Karlsruhe, 2016. How water supply in
Germany would be affected by the EU free trade and
investment agreements CETA, TTIP, TiSA.
[8] Comments on Article 1.9 of CETA by prof. Francesc La
Roca
http://europeanwater.org/european-water-
resources/reports-publications/704-
potential-impacts-of-ceta-on-water-and-
water-services
INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS
February 2016
http://www.epsu.org/sites/default/files/article/files/Study%20M
%20Krajewski_Model%20clauses%20for%20the%20exclusion%20of
%20public%20services_2016.pdf
European Parliament resolution of 8 September 2015 on the follow-up
to the European Citizens Initiative Right2Water
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?
pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+TA+P8-TA-2015-
0294+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN
FRANCE, ITALY DEFY FISCAL
TREATY. IRELAND?
October 5, 2014
Ordered to obey strict austerity measures like everyone else,
Francenonetheless said non. Italy has followed suitPerhaps
we should be more continental
It is, of course, a lot easier to defy the EUs budget rules when you
have a fleet of nuclear
submarines at your disposal. Still, France has gone ahead and given
the two fingers to
Brussels, prompting some to talk of a declaration of independence,
and others (more
prosaically) to recall 2003 and the wrecking of the original stability
and growth pact.
Like ourselves, France is supposed to get its deficit down below 3
per cent next year. But
in his draft budget on Wednesday, the French finance minister
Michel Sapin said he is
not going to. France will run a 4.3 per cent deficit next year a
whole 0.1 per cent better
than this year because, it says, austerity is not right for France.
2017 is the new date for a sub-3 per cent deficit in France, though
the French version of
the fiscal advisory council has its doubts about the growth needed
for this.
The Italians, who lack nuclear weapons, have nevertheless said
much the same thing in
their budget draft: stuff this austerity thing, we need some cash
ostensibly for growth-
promoting reforms but cash, anyway.
That two of the big three states of the eurozone have decided to
defy the rules should
make for an interesting Ecofin council in November, when ministers
get together to
review each others draft budgets. It has already poisoned the
political atmosphere in the
European Parliament, where Pierre Moscovici faced a torrid hearing
in his bid to
become economics commissioner. Having failed to meet the
deficit rules as finance
minister in France, Moscovici is now supposed to be the budget
enforcer for
everyone else.
Does all of this herald an almighty Euro-row in the weeks before
Christmas, potentially
destabilising not just for the stability pact, but the currency and the
bond market? More
importantly, whats in it for us?
Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin went in opposite directions
when I asked them
about the French budget.
Noonan said the rules were the rules, they applied equally to big
and small, and they
had to be adhered to for the good of all. Howlin, meanwhile,, who
met Sapin and his
budget minister in Paris three weeks ago, was less certain given
the choice between a
rules-compliant (and therefore contractionary) France or an
expanding France, he sees
growth there as being good for Ireland
Follow
TheJournal Politics
TheJournal Politics
Its just the little guy they will want to target, the ones doing the
environment a favour by planting pollen and nectar rich flowers to
attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators into the garden and who
use a hose the rare occasion that we get a bit of warm weather. If there is
money to be made or a way to squeeze more out of you, theyll do it.
1
padraig o ceidigh
The Water Charges debate has created a
political storm.
Here are the key proposals contained in a draft document
prepared by water committee chairman Pdraig Ceidigh,
which have been seen by Independent.ie.
Most homes would not pay for water charges under draft
new proposals
It also recommended there should be equity for people on
group schemes or with private wells.
Two out of every three households have paid charges
since they were introduced in 2015 and the report advised
they should be treated no less favourably than those who
did not.
Minister for Housing, Planning, Community & Local
Government Simon Coveney TD
He said: I think most reasonable people, I hope
anyway, will see this as an opportunity to put this issue
to bed.
There is an acceptance in this report that for normal
usage of water the taxpayer should pay for that.
Fianna Fails Michael McGrath added: It marks a
departure from Government policy and would appear
to accept the principle, which we have put out there for
quite some time, that the provision of domestic water
would be based on general taxation.
A range of domestic water charges for homeowners
coming into effect in a little over eight weeks time will be
announced tomorrow by the energy regulator.
However, the proposed free water allowance for children
of 38,000 litres per child may be revised downwards after
suggestions from Irish Water.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/water/irish-water-
crisis/excessive-water-usage-charge-among-key-proposals-in-water-
committee-draft-document-35491307.html
They can't build a Children's Hospital. They can't house
the homeless. They can't provide hospital beds. One in six
people in Ireland are on hospital waiting lists. And this
gobshite Alan Farrell of Fine Gael wants to build a cricket
stadium. What planet are these people on?
Varadkar among
objectors to plans for 41
new apartments
Gordon Deegan
February 24 2017
15-03-2016
Despite recent advances in the understanding and treatment
of epilepsy, up to 30% of people living with the condition do
not respond to existing anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and
continue to experience regular, debilitating and potentially life-
threatening seizures.
Much needed research to find new and better treatments is
continuing around the world. In the past few years, there has
been a lot of discussion about the potential benefits of
cannabis and its derivatives in treating epilepsy, particularly
rare, devastating paediatric conditions such as Dravet
syndrome.
In the US, many states have approved cannabis for medical
use, and a small number of states have fully legalised it.
Additionally, other states have introduced legislation to permit
clinical trials of a pharmaceutical CBD drug called Epidolex
under tight regulation.
There have been an increasing number of reports of families in
the US for whom cannabis-based products have had success in
reducing seizures. This is thought to be because of the non-
psychoactive component of cannabis called cannabidiol (CBD).
In addition to the anecdotal reports, a limited number of
studies of CBD in animal models have shown anti-convulsant
effects but the mechanism of action is not yet understood.
Epidolex
Trials on Epidolex, a CBD-only pharmaceutical drug are
currently underway in the US, UK and other countries.
Epidiolex has not yet been approved for use by any national
regulatory authority but has received FDA Orphan Drug
Designation and Fast Track Designation in the US for both
Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
In March 2016, results of the first pivotal Phase 3 study of
Epidolex for Dravet syndrome were announced. The study
involved 120 patients (average age 10 years) who were
randomised to either Epidolex or placebo. After 14 weeks,
patients taking Epidiolex achieved a median reduction in
monthly convulsive seizures of 39% compared with a reduction
on placebo of 13%. These are positive findings and additional,
larger Phase 3 trials are now being conducted in Dravet
syndrome, with other trials underway or planned in Lennox-
Gastaut Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
As an organisation that funds epilepsy research, Epilepsy
Ireland welcomes all research that seeks to develop safe and
effective treatments for epilepsy including these trials which
could potentially lead to a new approved treatment for people
with a range of devastating epilepsy syndromes.
The manufacturer of Epidolex, GW Pharmaceuticals is now
seeking regulatory approval for the drug in Europe and the US
for Dravet syndrome. Should Epidolex or any other epilepsy
treatment containing CBD be approved for use in Ireland,
Epilepsy Ireland will advocate for access to the drug for those
who could benefit from its prescribing.
Non Pharmaceutical products
A clear distinction needs to be drawn between products such
as Epidolex that are undergoing rigorous efficacy and safety
testing to achieve regulatory approval and non-pharmaceutical
products that are not licenced for medicinal use. There are
serious concerns about the safety and risks associated with
unregulated, unstandardised non-pharmaceutical products
containing cannabis extracts, in particular those that contain
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psycho-active element
in cannabis.
While there have been positive anecdotal accounts of these
products, particularly in the US, there have also been reports of
cannabis/ CBD products making seizures worse in children, as
well as other negative side effects. Some animal studies have
also highlighted the potential for CBD to be pro-convulsant
(increasing the risk of a seizure) in some cases.
Currently, no robust evidence from high quality scientific
studies exists to support the use of non-pharmaceutical
cannabis-based products for the treatment of epilepsy. In
relation to these products, individual successful cases do not
provide strong enough evidence to expose large amounts of
people to the unknown and unquantifiable risks associated
with unregulated, unstandardised products. In the absence of
robust evidence, these products cannot be considered as safe
or effective treatments for epilepsy.
Given the devastating impact of conditions like Dravet
Syndrome and the limited success of existing drugs in treating
these rare conditions, it is understandable that many affected
families will want to reach out to investigate potential new
treatment avenues. However, further research, in the form of
well-regulated clinical trials represent the only safe and
objective way to assess the potential that any CBD or cannabis
product may hold in the mainstream treatment of epilepsy.
Further research in this area is badly needed and Epilepsy
Ireland remains open to receiving and assessing funding
applications under our Research Funding Scheme from
researchers who want to pursue this area of research.
Legal position
In Ireland, cannabis is currently a Schedule 1 drug controlled
under the Misuse of Drugs legislation which makes it an
offence to be in possession of cannabis or many of its extracts
(including THC). CBD itself is not a controlled substance under
Irish law. However, a product that contains CBD is also likely to
contain additional substances that are controlled under
legislation. If a CBD-based product contains other substances
e.g THC in quantities which would bring that product within the
Misuse of Drugs Acts, it is a controlled substance and it is
illegal to import, possess or supply it.
Additionally, even if the product is true CBD-only, it may meet
the definition of a medicinal product, which would require it to
have the appropriate authorisation or registration in Ireland.
http://www.epilepsy.ie/index.cfm/spKey/news.epilepsy/spId/A3FD000
3-CB64-43A9-BC9724D804178E6F.html
Cannabidiol and medical marijuana for the
treatment of epilepsy
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.
12647/epdf
The case for medical marijuana in epilepsy
2014
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.
12610/epdf
Cannabidiol- Pharmacology and potential
therapeutic role in epilepsy and other
neuropsychiatric disorders
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.
12631/epdf
MEDICAL RESEARCH CHARITIES
GROUP/HEALTH RESEARCH BOARD
MRCG/HRB Joint Funding Scheme 2016
http://www.epilepsy.ie/assets/71/5171DE91-
5F93-4EE4-
87FDDDCFB54B1024_document/MRCG-
HRB_Applicant_Guidance_Notes_2016_FINAL.
pdf
Common Administrative Errors When submitting an application for
funding, please ensure that the common application form errors
below are not present on your form.
http://www.epilepsy.ie/assets/46/DFE467DC-CCA2-4AD4-
8E288F10290C74A9_document/Common_Application_form_errors.pd
f
MRCG/HRB Joint Funding Scheme 2016 Epilepsy Ireland Notes for
Applicants Application deadline- 4th December 2015
http://www.epilepsy.ie/assets/98/3389816C-C605-4589-
9DC00265A655F409_document/EI_Notes_to_Applicants_2016.pdf
s part of our on-going commitment to supporting Irish epilepsy
research, Epilepsy Ireland invites applications for epilepsy-
focused research projects of up to a three-year duration to a
maximum of 50,000 p.a. Proposals funded under this call will
begin in September 2016.
We encourage proposals for all types of research including
basic, clinical, psychosocial and health services research.
Proposals that cover one or more of the following research
areas are particularly welcome in the current funding round:
c Development of improved diagnosis, treatments or support
interventions
c Genetics of epilepsy
c Psychosocial aspects/ impact of epilepsy
c Epilepsy and education
c Use of assistive technology in epilepsy
c Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy and other epilepsy
deaths
c Epilepsy in specific demographics such as children/ young
adults; the elderly; people with an intellectual disability;
women; men
c Rare epilepsy syndromes
All proposals received by Epilepsy Ireland will be subjected to a
rigorous three-stage peer review process:
Stage 1: International Peer review & Applicant's Right to Reply
Stage 2: Evaluation by Epilepsy Ireland's Research Peer Review
Board
Stage 3: Highest ranking proposals submitted for consideration
under the Joint Funding Scheme operated by the Medical
Research Charities Group & the Health Research Board.
Successful projects will be funded jointly by Epilepsy Ireland
and the HRB from September 2016. This is the fifth round of
funding provided under Epilepsy Ireland's Research Funding
Scheme. To date, eight projects have been funded since 2010
with over 780,000 euro in funding approved. Further details
on these projects are available here.
Application forms, HRB guidance notes and Epilepsy Ireland
guidance can be downloaded below. Applications must be
submitted in full on the official application form on or before
December 4th 2015.
Applicants: Please ensure your email size is less than 5MB
when submitting. If it is more, please break up attachments to
>1 email or call us for guidance (details below)
See also the list of common application form errors below and
also this list produced by the HRB recently.
PROJECT TITLE:
MicroRNAs in the mechanism of ketogenic diet therapies and as
biomarkers in paediatric epilepsy
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
Prof David Henshall
Professor of Molecular Physiology & Neuroscience, Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland
INVESTMENT:
144,484 over three years. 50% of the funding for this project has
been made available by the Health Research Board (HRB) through
the Joint Funding Scheme operated by the HRB and the Medical
Research Charities Group, of which Epilepsy Ireland is a member.
Epilepsy Ireland will fund the other 50% through fundraising.
ABOUT PROF HENSHALL:
Prof. Henshall is the Director of the Experimental Epilepsy Research
group at RCSI. His team currently comprises 10 researchers whose
major research focuses include the role of non-coding RNA
(including microRNA) in the development of epilepsy, the modelling
and treatment of neonatal seizures, ATP-gated ion channels as
targets for seizure control, and molecular biomarkers of epilepsy.
Prof Henshall is also Co-Director of The Centre for the Study of
Neurological Disorders, also based at RCSI.
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Prof Henshall explains:
Epilepsy is a disease caused by imbalances in electrical activity in
the brain. Anyone can have epilepsy but it is particular common in
children. Patients experience seizures which disrupt their lives and
can be directly harmful to the developing brain. Although we have a
number of drugs to stop seizures, they fail to work in about a third
of children. The ketogenic diet (KD) represents an alternative
treatment. Clinical and scientific studies show that by altering how
much fat and carbohydrates are consumed this switches how the
body obtains its energy. For reasons we do not understand this
reduces the occurrence of seizures. A key problem is that only half
of children placed on the diet show an improvement. Doctors need
something to help them know who will respond.
We are interested in a group of molecules found in cells called
microRNAs. Their job is to dampen down gene activity by reducing
protein levels. Recent work showed that microRNAs are important
for controlling the excitability of the brain. We and others have
found that blood levels of some microRNA are different in adults
with epilepsy. We think this is because the brain makes unique
microRNAs and stress or injury such as occurs in epilepsy results in
the appearance of these molecules in the blood. We also have
animal model evidence that the ketogenic diet directly alters brain
levels of certain microRNAs.
The proposed research will investigate whether microRNA levels in
blood samples or other body fluids (urine, saliva) can tell us which
children with epilepsy will do best on the ketogenic diet. These
studies will give doctors a new way to predict which children will do
best on the diet and shed new light on how the diet works.
http://www.epilepsy.ie/index.cfm/spKey/research.current_projects.ht
ml
I am asking for the space'
- Harris appeals for more
time to reach deal on CF
drugs
Eilish O'Regan
February 27 2017
Health Minister Simon Harris has appealed
for a few more weeks to finalise discussions
on a price deal for the cystic fibrosis drugs
Orkambi and Kalydeco.
He appealed to campaigners who are desperate to make
the drugs available to allow him space.
Around 500 people with cystic fibrosis are appealing for
access to Orkambi but the price originally demanded by
the makers Vertex was deemed too expensive for the HSE.
There is also pressure to extend access to Kalydeco for
younger children with the disease.
He said tonight that he expects the talks on the deal to be
concluded in a matter of weeks.
The main priority is to make sure that any agreement
reached would provide certainty to Irish patients on the
provision of Orkambi, Kalydeco and other drugs now and
in the future, he said.
I am extremely conscious that the last number of months
have been an extraordinarily stressful and worrying time
for many CF patients and their families.
"However, progress has been made and this process is now
entering a critical phase. I am asking for the space for this
process to be concluded with the objective that we can
achieve a deal which provides certainty now and in the
future.
"Given the level of investment and the scale of the
potential benefits for CF patients, there are important
commercial and contractual aspects which have to be
agreed in the interests of patients and the health service
overall.
"In asking for the space to bring finality to this matter, I
wish to assure CF patients and families that I believe the
process can be concluded in a period of weeks."
A protest at the ongoing delays in the talks is to take place
outside Leinster House on Wednesday.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/i-am-asking-for-the-
space-harris-appeals-for-more-time-to-reach-deal-on-cf-drugs-
35488300.html
Coveney: Leadership is about vision,
not private issues
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Conor Kane
Would-be taoiseach Simon Coveney has said he hopes the
commentary surrounding the Fine Gael leadership
contest will be about ideas, vision, and drive rather than
any candidates personal life.
Lucinda Creighton
Maurice McCabe
Governments have fallen on far lesser issues and for a few
frantic days his now famous mea culpa speech and the
he-said-she-said antics that led up to, and indeed followed
it, put the Government on the brink of election.
The McCabe scandal showed just how weak the current
Government is and how lucky it has been to survive the
past year.
But an election is not something that Fine Gael would
either want or need right now.
While Fine Gael uncomfortably try to balance power with
the Independents and Fianna Fil, other parties have been
quietly building from opposition.
Labour, for example, has already developed a concrete
strategy, ready to be rolled-out in the event of a snap
election, and is to hold selection conventions in five
constituencies in the coming weeks.
Other parties are sure to be involved in the same quiet
campaigning Fianna Fil members have been told by
headquarters to be out and about and ramping-up activity
in their constituencies.
Fine Gael, on the other hand, dont even know who will be
leading them into a general election.
Bursts of electricity to
help target tumours
February 28 2017
Dr Declan Soden, principal investigator at the Cork Cancer
Centre, where a new treatment for oesophageal cancer
sufferers has been developed
Short bursts of electrical energy can help
improve the response to chemotherapy
treatment in patients with oesophageal
cancer.
Dr Declan Soden, principal investigator at the Cork Cancer
Research Centre, has developed the technique aimed
directly at the tumour.
The oesophagus carries food from the mouth to the
stomach.
The energy burst makes the tumour "leaky" and allows for
improved take-up of chemotherapy.
The research is being funded by the Oesophageal Cancer
Fund, which is holding its annual fundraising Lollipop Day
on March 3 and 4.
The charity was set up in 2001 by Dubliner Noelle Ryan
and a small group of women mourning the loss of a friend.
Ms Ryan, who is now chief executive of the Oesophageal
Cancer Fund, said: "If you had told me 16 years ago that
what began as six of us trying to honour our friend Lucilla
would grow to funding development of new technologies
in treatment like electro-shock tumour therapy, I
genuinely would not have believed it.
"We could not do this without the generosity and support
of the public. We receive no other funding.
"We rely entirely on the public supporting Lollipop Day.
We are heartened by our achievements to date but the
figures speak for themselves."
She said Dublin has seen almost a doubling in diagnoses of
the cancer over 20 years with major increases also
observed in north Tipperary, Wexford and Waterford.
Irish rates of oesophageal cancer remain among the
highest in Europe.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/bursts-of-electricity-to-
help-target-tumours-35488735.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zptEVbAwMqQ
Poll: Would you watch Coveney and Varadkar going toe-to-
toe in a live debate?
Coveney needs to
clarify claims and
publish legal advice
Boylan
1 March, 2017 - by Lynn Boylan MEP
Speaking this morning, Sinn Fin MEP Lynn Boylan has called
for Minister Simon Coveney to publish the legal advice given to
him by the Attorney General in relation to the legal position of
European Commission in relation to water charges and
subsequent fines, given that she has legal advice to the
contrary.
MEP Boylan said:
It is imperative in the interest of trust and truth that Minister
Coveney come forward with his legal advice that Ireland would
incur EU fines if water legislation does not have a provision for
excessive use. The reason that the advice needs to be
published is because there is legal advice to the contrary as
well as a dearth of information of obfuscation and
deceitfulness on behalf of the European Commission on this
subject. Not to mention the academic research that shows
household metering to be ineffective and not good value for
money if the aim is to conserve water. All of which Minister
Coveney and sections of the Irish media find it convenient to
ignore.
There needs to be clarity around the EU commission position
on water charges instead of conveniently hiding behind simple
narratives because of fear of the complexity of the Water
Framework Directive.
Before the EU Commission embarked on their own
mendacious campaign, they clearly stated that Ireland could
avail of a derogation on water charges in its second River Basin
Management plan and that there could be no judgement cast
on Irelands compliance until that plan is submitted later in
December this year.
Most importantly, in relation to Minister Coveneys comments
yesterday, he either forgot or ignored to mention a significant
point, that the Water framework directive is up for review
within the next two years and that will give the Irish
Government, and Irish MEPs, the opportunity to further
strengthen Irelands model of water management.
Sinn Fein and our legal opinion believes that with the proper
investment in water infrastructure and the rolling out of a
comprehensive water conservation education programme,
Ireland would be able to demonstrate its full compliance with
the objectives of the water framework directive.
A final point in all this that needs to be raised is Fine
Gaels breathtaking hypocrisy on the EU, Coveney and his Fine
Gael colleagues have no problem at all spending millions of
taxpayers money on defending Apple, yet when it comes to
defending the democratic wishes of the people against the EU,
it is back to the forelock tugging.
http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/43693
Follow
Paul Murphy
Follow
Paul Murphy
Follow
Paul Murphy
Source: PA WIRE
The government plans to suspend water charges for nine
months and establish a commission to explore alternatives
to the current arrangement involving Irish Water.
However, the ECs now explicit public stance on the
expiration of our exemption could put additional pressure
on that commission to produce a proposal that fully
conforms with European law.
The expert commission is expected to forward its final
recommendation to a special Oireachtas committee in 2017,
after which the Dil and Seanad will vote on it.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Minister Simon Coveney
told TheJournal.ie:
The advice of the Attorney General has been sought in
relation to the Water Framework Directive and water
charges and this issue is under examination by that Office.
As would be normal with the drafting of legislation, the
Office of the Attorney General will provide advice on the
proposed legislation
If the EC deems that the temporary suspension of charges,
or the new system emerging from the expert commission are
in breach of the WFD, it could begin a lengthy, multi-stage
legal process, potentially including hefty fines, against the
Irish state.
It would then be up to the government of the day to decide
whether or not to challenge the EC, a process that could
ultimately see the question of water charges resolved in the
European Court of Justice.
The European Commission has declared that Ireland
does not enjoy an exemption from the obligation
under EU law for a system of water charges.
The confirmation is likely to severely limit the
Government's discretion to scrap water charges.
Furthermore, according to informed sources, Ireland
could face a procedure in the coming months that
could lead to daily fines due to the Government's
breach of EU law.
The commission has said that the earlier "flexibility"
on water charges afforded to Ireland no longer
applies.
The confirmation comes in the form of a written
response to Sinn Fin MEP Lynn Boylan following a
parliamentary question.
The statement clarifies that Ireland must abide by a
number of principles in order to be compliant with a
key EU directive on water.
The principles effectively require member states to
ensure that the "polluter pays", and that there is a
system in place to allow for the "recovery of costs" for
the provision of water services.
The commission's written response makes it clear
that Ireland's de facto exemption from water charges
no longer applies because the Government
introduced water charges and metering in 2010.
Article 9(4) provides the possibility for Member States not to apply
the provisions of Article 9(1) to a given water-use activity, where
this is an established practice at the time of adoption of the
directive and where this does not compromise the purposes and the
achievement of the objectives of the directive. The use of Article
9(4) is therefore subject to strict conditions.
The economic and social effects of a particular form of water pricing
on households will depend on the type of water pricing and the
socioeconomic profile of the households. It is for the Member States
to decide whether they have regard to these aspects on the basis of
an assessment of the effects of the water pricing policy on water
users. However, as regards Article 9(1), Member States who wished
to implement a flat rate would need to justify that it fulfils the
requirements in Article 9(1), in particular with respect to whether it
provides an adequate incentive for users to use water efficiently.
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getAllAnswers.do?reference=E-
2010-3366&language=EN
maybe you should show this to to minister Covney ..."not in breach "
being the operative word.
EC water charges
pronouncements
purely speculative
Lynn Boylan MEP
3 June, 2016 - by Lynn Boylan MEP
Sinn Fin MEP for Dublin Lynn Boylan has stated that the
European Commission can only make a conclusive response on
ending water charges once the government has submitted a
proposal. The MEP has said that any other assessments of the
situation are purely speculative.
Speaking today Sinn Fin MEP for Dublin, Lynn Boylan said:
Over the last number of days there have been sources within
the European Commission who were quoted as saying that the
ending of water charging will result in fines.
It is clear from replies received to myself and other MEPs, that
the Commission will only be able to make a conclusive
response once the government has made a proposal. Any
briefings or other assessments pending a ruling by the
Commission are purely speculative and of no legal standing.
It is no surprise that elements within the Commission support
the continuation of water charges and support the privatisation
of water. However the Commission needs to recognise that a
majority of TDs in the 32nd Dil were elected on a platform to
abolish water charges. The European Commission must respect
the democratic will of the people.
It is up to the Irish Government to implement the will of the
people and end water charging. We need the government and
all the Irish representatives in the EU to act together to ensure
the ending of these charges.
It is job of the Commission to respect the democratic will of
the people to end water charges. This can be facilitated within
the terms of the existing legislation.
http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/40194
Fianna-Fail -Manifesto abolish the governments botched Water
Conservation grant to save the state 110m. page 38
https://www.fiannafail.ie/download/An-Ireland-for-all-Fianna-
FaCC81il-Manifesto.pdf
abolish the governments botched Water
Conservation grant to save the state 110m.
(iii) Push down energy costs
Irelands current energy policy is driving up
consumer prices, making our economy
uncompetitive and failing to tap into the
opportunities presented by community
energy projects. It is time for policy makers
to develop a national energy policy which is
low in cost, is respectful of local communities
and their ability to contribute to our
renewable energy future and which secures
our energy supply from external energy
shocks. We will:
- Achieve a balanced energy mix to meet our
EU Climate Change targets.
- Diversify our renewable energy mix and
explore Bio-Mass and solar as additional
sources of
renewable energy.
- Reform the Commission for Energy
regulation to help drive down prices for
business and
families.
- Commission a full economic review of wind
energy, its impact on energy prices and its
long
term sustainability in supplying the Irish
national grid.
- Ensure that extensions to the national Grid
and interconnectors are underground where
possible and respect areas of natural beauty.
- Place climate and energy policy together in
one Department in order to ensure a joined
up,
co-ordinated approach to meeting our
Climate Change energy emissions targets.
(iv) Reduce DIRT by 3%
Savers have got a very raw deal under this
government. The tax on the interest earned
by savers has been increased by a massive
14%. In addition, anyone with unearned
income of greater than 5,000 has to pay an
extra 4% PRSI on deposit interest, bringing
the total tax on interest earned to 45%. This
is a punitive tax on people who have
prudently saved money. Fianna Fil
is committed to reforming and reducing the
tax on savings and making it more attractive
for people to put money aside.
- We will reduce the rate of DIRT from 41% to
38%. this will cost 22m annually.
(v) Cap local property tax charges
Fianna Fil successfully campaigned to
prevent a huge rise in local property tax bills
in 2017. We are committed to ensuring that
homeowners are not hit with large increases
after the next valuation date. We will:
- Legislate to ensure fair treatment of all
householders and prevent councils from
implementing increases in the overall
property tax take in their local area.
- Examine ways in which the operation of the
tax can be made fairer including o ering a
reduction to apartment owners and others in
managed estates who pay for local services
such as lighting, maintenance, grass cutting,
road repairs etc through their management
fees.
BROADENING THE TAX BASE
In the Renewed Programme for Government we have accepted the
recommendations of the Commission on Taxation on the need for
a property tax. Considerable ground work will need to be done
before a Site Valuation Tax can be introduced. Work will shortly
begin on the registration of ownership and the valuation of land.
The Renewed Programme also contains a commitment to
introduce a system of water metering for homes. Preparations are
underway. Water charges, when introduced, will be based on
consumption above a free allocation. Further details will be
announced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government.
These charges, like the charge on second homes, will finance the
provision of local services by local authorities.
High Earners Must Pay Their Fair Share
We have set our face against increasing the burden of income tax.
But the Government wants high earners availing of tax incentive
schemes to contribute more in the current difficult circumstances.
Accordingly, for the tax year 2010, the effective rate of income tax
for those benefiting from reliefs will increase from 20 per cent to 30
per cent on top of which they will also pay PRSI and levies. This
represents a significant tightening of the restriction which will yield
approximately 55 million in a full year. The entry point to the
restriction will now occur at adjusted income levels of 125,000
with the full restriction applying at 400,000. I will examine the
curtailment and removal of further reliefs in the context of the
Finance Bill.
Our tax treatment of non-resident individuals is broadly in line with
that of most other OECD countries. But, we must ensure that every
wealthy Irish domiciliary who pays little or no income tax makes a
contribution to the State, especially during times of economic and
fiscal difficulty.
For this reason we will introduce measures which will impose on all
Irish nationals and domiciled individuals, whose worldwide income
exceeds 1 million and whose Irish-located capital is greater than
5 million, a requirement to pay an Irish domicile levy of 200,000
per annum regardless of where they are tax resident. The full
details will be set out in the Finance Bill.
I will also be introducing a package of measures to improve the
effectiveness of the Revenue Commissioners in tackling the
shadow economy, addressing smuggling and excise frauds, and
dealing with tax avoidance schemes.
Carbon Tax
The economic and social implications of climate change are
immense and it is the responsibility of Governments everywhere to
change behaviour to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
The most effective way is to put a price on carbon. This will
encourage innovation by incentivising companies to bring low
carbon products and services to the market.
Changing behaviour takes time but a start has to be made. Today I
am introducing a carbon tax equivalent to 15 per tonne. The detail
is set out in the Summary of Budget Measures. The tax will apply
to petrol and diesel from tonight. Increases to home heating oils
and gas will apply from next May.
The application of the tax to coal and commercial peat will be
subject to a commencement order to allow a robust mechanism to
be put in place to counter the sourcing of coal and peat from
Northern Ireland where lower environmental standards apply. A
vouched fuel allowance scheme will be developed to offset the
increases for low income families dependant on such fuels.
The yield from the Carbon Tax will be used to boost energy
efficiency, to support rural transport and to alleviate fuel poverty.
The Carbon Tax will also allow us to maintain or reduce payroll
taxes.
Carbon taxes will be a feature of economies across the world in the
coming years. Todays announcement sends a positive signal to
those gathered in Copenhagen, working for an ambitious
agreement on global climate change, about Irelands capacity to
show leadership.
The tax changes I am introducing today reflect my belief that tax
can make some contribution to the reduction of the deficit, and will
make a larger contribution in later years. But as we know from our
recent history, we cannot rely solely on taxing our way out of our
difficulties.
CONCLUSION
A Cheann Comhairle, I want to recall the death earlier this year of
Senator Ted Kennedy. Senator Kennedy was unquestionably one
of the best friends Ireland ever had on Capitol Hill.
Today, in a modest way I would like to honour the memory of a
great man from a great family. The Government will provide
funding for a project at the Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown,
County Wexford from which his forefathers emigrated in the early
nineteenth century. The development of this important visitor
attraction will be a welcome boost to tourism in the South East.
The inauguration of John F Kennedy as President of the United
States in nineteen sixty-one gave a powerful sense of hope,
possibility and self-belief to Irish people all over the world.
A recent survey commissioned by the Irish Times found that 84 per
cent of those surveyed think Ireland needs to start believing in
itself again.
Yes, we have endured a traumatic eighteen months. The speed
and ferocity of the recession has knocked us off our stride. But the
innate advantages that brought us the boom have survived the
downturn.
We have taken a step back but we have in place a plan to take us
forward on the path of sustainable economic growth. That plan is
working.
Unemployment will not be as high as previously forecast;
our tax receipts have begun to stabilise;
consumer confidence is beginning to revive; and
our export figures are the healthiest in Europe.
As we begin to emerge from the unrelenting economic gloom of
the last eighteen months, we need to rediscover our optimism and
our self-belief. Now more than ever, we need that confidence on
which business thrives. The measures contained in this Budget,
some of them unpalatable, will engender that confidence.
A Cheann Comhairle, we have taken the hard decisions, but we
have been fair.
We have preserved the real value of social welfare for those most
in need.
We have protected older citizens.
We have reduced the cost of public services.
We have taken action on credit to protect borrowers.
We have cut taxes to protect jobs in retail and tourism.
We have maintained significant investment spending to promote
future growth.
We have announced measures to save jobs, stimulate employment
and protect the environment.
Our plan is working.
We have turned the corner.
I commend this Budget to the House. STATEMENT OF COMMON
PURPOSE
http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Work_Of_The
_Department/Programme_for_Government/Pr
ogramme_for_Government_2011-2016.pdf
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between Ireland and the Troika addressed the
issue of water
https://www.imf.org/external/np/loi/2010/irl/1
20310.pdf
reviews of Irelands implementation of the
terms and conditions of the bailout deal, the
commitments became increasingly detailed
and concrete. By March 2013, the Irish
government was promising the Troika-
https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2013/
cr1393.pdf
Statement by Commission and ECB staff
following the conclusion of the sixth post-
programme surveillance mission to Ireland
and, if necessary, to recommend corrective actions.
Irelands economic prospects remain bright, but some clouds
are on the horizon. In recent years, rapid economic growth has
provided tailwinds for policy efforts aimed at financial sector repair
and the restoration of sustainable public finances. Most recently, on
top of robust underlying growth, the level of GDP surged in 2015
driven primarily by changes in the global operations of some
multinationals. This added further to the fall in the headline deficit
and debt-to-GDP ratios but had only limited benefits for the
domestic economy in terms of household income and employment.
While GDP is expected to continue to grow at robust rates, the
future evolution of the activities of multinational enterprises
remains uncertain and the external environment has become
increasingly unpredictable especially after the UK 'leave' vote.
Ireland's fiscal adjustment has been remarkable but slowed
in 2016. While broadly compliant, the Draft Budgetary Plan implies
a risk of some deviation from the required adjustment towards the
medium-term objective in both 2016 and 2017. The government
used a large part of the over-performing, but partly volatile, tax
proceeds to fund additional current spending in 2016. While the
corporation tax increase is recognised as a level shift, this is not
fully in line with the June 2016 EU Council recommendations, which
encourage Ireland to use windfall gains to accelerate deficit and
debt reduction. Looking forward, a continued decline in the still high
level of public debt remains sensitive to fluctuations in economic
growth and is dependent on the size of fiscal adjustment. In this
context the government announcement of a debt-to GDP target of
45% of GDP by the mid to late 2020s is to be welcomed. In this
context, compliance with the EU fiscal framework provided under
the Stability and Growth Pact remains of the essence.
Increased external uncertainty puts an even greater
premium on prudent fiscal policy and a reorientation of
public spending toward investment. Efforts to enhance the
budgetary process are commendable. Yet, the reliability of multi-
annual expenditure planning remains weak, leading to repeated
changes to expenditure ceilings. If correctly designed, changes to
the fiscal framework would reduce the risk of pro-cyclical fiscal
policy in the future. Ongoing spending pressures call for a
strengthening of public spending reviews, including in the
healthcare sector. The 2017 budget aims to exhaust the available
fiscal space and little has been done to broaden the tax base in this
budget, leaving the public finances vulnerable to shocks. Further
current spending increases and tax cuts could narrow the scope for
public investment in infrastructure, making it difficult to address
bottlenecks and boost the long-term productive capacity of the
economy.
Despite significant progress in recent years, there is ample
scope for further vigilance for the banking sector. A number of
factors will continue to drag on bank profitability in the near to
medium term. These include the elevated stock of non-performing
loans (NPLs) and low-yielding tracker mortgages, weak credit
demand, difficulties in accessing collateral, and a risk that net
interest margins begin to decline. Domestic banks' capital levels
have improved, even though the results of the recent European
Banking Authority stress test signalled remaining vulnerabilities,
mostly stemming from the legacy of their weak asset quality. The
resolution of NPLs needs to maintain momentum and efforts to
ensure that accounts are sustainably restructured should continue.
In particular, the focus should remain on mortgage loans that have
long been non-performing. Despite the recent pickup in new lending
volumes, both households and firms continue to repay more than
they borrow, resulting in a still largely credit-less economic
recovery. Market uncertainty persists, including in relation to the
longer-term impact of the UK leave vote on the banks, especially
those with significant UK exposures.
Banks will need to carefully balance the push to boost credit
volumes with maintaining prudent lending standards. The
opposition Bill enabling the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) to cap
interest rates on variable rate mortgages, if enacted, could interfere
with the smooth transmission of monetary policy. By impinging on
the generation of sustainable profits by banks, it could also have
implications for banking supervision and financial stability.
Moreover, a decision to direct lenders as to the interest rate they
can charge could lead to a decrease in competition and have a
deterrent effect on potential new entrants to the market, thereby
inhibiting credit extension at sustainable market rates.
Developments in real estate markets need to be closely
monitored. While there is little evidence of house price
overvaluation so far, recent price and rent increases have drawn
attention to persistent housing supply bottlenecks. The government
has repeatedly intervened in the housing market to support the
recovery in the residential construction industry, but it will take time
to restore an adequate supply of new homes. Although commercial
property purchases are largely funded by foreign equity, close
supervision of commercial real estate financing should be
maintained. Since the CBI macro-prudential measures were
announced in late 2014, house price expectations have moderated.
Their review, published in November, resulted in several
refinements, while at the same time leaving the macro-prudential
framework and in particular the loan-to-income ratio intact.
Looking forward, the framework should be maintained to prevent
the potential re-emergence of a vicious circle between house prices
and bank lending.
The next PPS mission is planned to take place in the first half of
2017.
The mission would like to thank the Irish authorities for the helpful
and open discussions.
"In that context, we said that at this time there are other
priorities for capital investment, but that we could come
back and look at whether there is a case for further
metering in due course," he said.
Housing Minister Simon Coveney has said that adults
should be allowed to use 123 litres of water per day free of
charge before excess costs apply under a new system,
writes Juno McEnroe, Political Correspondent.
He said households who had still not paid old water bills
should be pursued but allowed to pay outstanding debts
over a long period.
They are also the key people who drive business and
economic activity in this country, said Mr Heydon.
The standoff from both sides is the most serious yet since
the confidence and supply agreement was made between
Fine Gael and Fianna Fai last year.
Michael McGrath
Earlier:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/floating
-voters-wont-forget-water-charges-farce-
444058.html
Confidence and
Supply Arrangement
Confidence and Supply Arrangement to facilitate a
Fine Gael led Minority Government.
Fianna Fil has agreed to facilitate a Fine Gael led
Minority Government under the terms of the
Framework attached to this document.
The Confidence and Supply votes are dependent
on the full implementation of the policy principles
attached to this document (Appendix 1).
The details on the Commission on Water Services
and the Special Oireachtas Committee on the
Funding of Water Services are attached in
Appendix 2.
Fianna Fil will be an independent opposition party
that will continue to pursue its own policies in the
32nd Dil through legislation, private member bills
and through Oireachtas Committees.
This list of six key policy priorities is not a
programme for government. It forms the essential
requirements for a viable supply and confidence
arrangement.
Appendix 1
Policy Framework for a Confidence and
Supply Arrangement to facilitate a Fine Gael
-Led Minority Government
Irelands Economy
12 Maintain our commitment to meeting in full the
domestic and EU Fiscal rules as enshrined in law.
13 Facilitate the passage of budgets presented by the
Government within these rules and which are
consistent with the policy principles contained in
this document.
14 To address unmet needs, introduce budgets that
will involve at least a 2:1 split between investment
in public spending and tax reductions.
15 Base health expenditure on multi-year budgeting,
supported by a 5 year HSE Service Plan based on
realistic, verifiable projections.
16 Introduce reductions in the Universal Social Charge
(USC) on a fair basis with an emphasis on low and
middle income earners.
17 Establish a Rainy Day Fund.
18 Maintain Irelands 12.5% corporation tax, and
engage constructively with any measures to work
towards international tax reform while critically
analysing proposals that may not be in Irelands
long term interests.
Industrial relations and public sector pay
Recognise full implementation of the Lansdowne
Road Agreement in accordance with the timelines
agreed and recognise that the recruitment issues
in the public service must be addressed as part of
that Agreement.
Establish a Public Service Pay Commission to
examine pay levels across the public service,
including entry levels of pay.
Support the gradual, negotiated repeal of the
Financial Emergency Measures in the Public
Interest Acts having due regard to the priority to
improve public services and in recognition of the
essential role played by public servants.
Tackle the problems caused by the increased
casualisation of work that prevents workers from
being able to save or have any job security.
Respect the Workplace Relations Commission and
the Labour Court as the proper forum for state
intervention in industrial relation disputes and
ensure that both bodies are supported and
adequately resourced to fulfil their roles.
Securing affordable homes and tackling
homelessness
Significantly increase and expedite the delivery of
social housing units, remove barriers to private
housing supply and initiate an affordable housing
scheme.
Retain mortgage interest relief beyond the current
end date of December 2017 on a tapered basis.
Increase rent supplement and Housing Assistance
payment (HAP) limits by up to 15% taking account
of geographic variations in market rents, and
extend the roll out by local authorities of the HAP,
including the capacity to make discretionary
enhanced payments.
Protect the family home and introduce additional
long term solutions for mortgage arrears cases.
Improve supports and services for older people to
live independently in their own home, including
provisions for pension increases.
Provide greater protection for mortgage holders,
tenants and SMEs whose loans have been
transferred to non-regulated entities (vulture
funds).
Creating decent jobs & supporting enterprise
c Prioritise regional development across all policy
areas.
c Fully implement Food Harvest 2020 and Food Wise
2025.
c Secure the future of family farms and support our
fishing industry.
c Seek to introduce a PRSI scheme for the self-
employed and provide a supportive tax regime for
entrepreneurs and the self-employed.
c Increase capital investment in transport,
broadband, education, health and flood defences
following the mid-term review of the Capital Plan
which is expected mid-2017.
c Examine all options for increased credit availability,
competition and quality of service in the banking
sector through the development of new and
existing platforms.
c Develop a strategy for the growth and
development of the credit union sector.
Cutting costs for families and improving
public services
Reform the public sector to ensure more accessible
public services.
Maintain a humane approach for discretionary
medical card provision.
Develop targeted supports to reduce childcare
costs, broaden parental choice and increase
supports for stay at home parents.
Tackle child poverty by increasing community
based early intervention programmes.
Ring fence 15m in 2017 to fund the National
Treatment Purchase Fund to urgently address
waiting lists for those waiting longest.
Reduce primary school class sizes; reintroduce
guidance counselling to secondary schools and
increase financial supports for post graduate
students with a particular focus on those from low
income households.
Take all necessary action to tackle high variable
interest rates.
Seek to alleviate pressures affecting household
budgets across energy, childcare, medical and
insurance costs.
April 23rd 2014 ( Jesus was it that long ago ) a group of community
activist, this group Ballyphehane/South parish says no went to
Ashbrook Togher, to stop the installation of water meters,that day
didn't just happen, it was planned .
We as a group had been together for a few years working within our
community and further afield during the ill fated CAHWT, but we
always knew the WT in CAH was going to be the big one -water,
when most groups in cork had dissolved or to put it another way ,
been destroyed by politics of not been political by the then SP now
AAA ( that's a story for another day ) we stayed Together for better
or worse,it was like a marriage built on hate for the neoliberal
parties of the right , who between them were destroying any fabric
of social Justice in this country( and still are ) where bankers and
developers were prioritise over the elderly, infirmed and your family.
Their polices targeted the most vulnerable people within our
society( they still do ) this group had enough of waiting for change
and decided to start pushing for it .
March 2014 at one of our weekly meetings, it was voted that we
would take direct action against the installation of water meters,
leaflets had already been distributed about the dangers of water
metering and the threat they ,combined with Irish water Ltd would
pose to our water and waste water services, we had held public
meetings on the subject, some were well attended, but like
everything else people soon lose interest and the numbers
attending dropped, this was a problem that we had to solve and
solved it we did.
We decided again at one of our weekly meetings to bring the
meetings to them and so was born the residents meetings, meetings
on the greens one of the most effective tools used by us during this
long battle with IW and the state . It was at one of these residents
meetings in Ashbrook Togher that the residents agreed to the
blockade, not all but enough to make it democratic, in the few
weeks that followed IW threw everything they could at us, we
camped out from 5 am to 6 pm sometimes later depending on the
mood of the installers for weeks , determined no to let them in,
there was great community spirit in those weeks where laughter put
rest to the tiredness we all felt, food was supplied, stories swapped
between battles .
We took what we learnt from Ashbrook to all parts of cork city and
county we spend months doing residents meetings and helping
residents in estates stop IW and feel like communities again, where
people who only waved good morning to each other now talked and
stood shoulder to shoulder fighting to keep their communities meter
free, to stop this toll on their most basic human right .
What started in Ashbrook and spread across this island of ours was
an awakening of consciousness within our communities through
direct non violent action, what happened in cork was remarkable,
where cross community action was the name of the game,
communities from Mahon, mayfield , Togher Dublin hill Ballyvolane
the glen , Blackpool , passage , Cobh Carrigaline and other parts
came together to stop IW , we put together some of the biggest
demos this city has seen, we organised fundraisers to subsidise
buses to the R2W Demos in Dublin , all of them where attended by
us . But through all of this one group was everywhere , BSPTSN I
doubt you would find a blockade in this city where some of this
group was not present.
We meet some great people along the way, none more important
that Noreen Murphy who for years was the voice against water
privatisation in cork long before it became popular for our politicians
to talk about, she has always been a friend to this group and has an
encyclopaedic knowledge of this subject, gained from years of
researching the topic, so when the time came we would not have to
face water poverty in this country and face water privatisation .
The dail will vote on the future of IW, the charges and the metering
program in the next few days , already the leaks are starting to flow
( pun intended ) they are along the lines of , the charges are gone,
those who paid will be refunded , a dedicated water tax ?, only
those who use excessive amounts of water will have to pay into the
future ? Back room deals at play between FF and FG ( we all knew
that would happen) . And we have a lot of people claiming this is a
victory, FF in particular even delivered leaflets around this parish
saying they are the ones who will get rid of water charges ?
We as a group are not claiming any victory as this, if it plays out the
way it seems to be going could not be called such, we won't be
celebrating till we get what we started fighting for and that was the
abolition of IW and the charges and an end to the metering
program, a constitutional referendum enshrining the ownership and
management of our water and waste water services .When that day
comes there will be no one group responsible , no political party to
claim it as a victory for them it will be the people's victory , a victory
fought for through mass civil disobedience a victory for those who
were brave enough , to say no , not in my street no to your charges
no to IW and no to privatisation .
We won't be claiming it as our victory, no, how could we , we are
just saying we did it better than the rest
The people will continue the WAR until Irish Water is dead and
buried. They need to be sent packing no matter where they try to
get a foothold on Water, as the ultimate aim for IW is to SELL Water.
Not to maintain it. Not to improve it. Just a Water grab to sell it
under the noses of a Gullible trusting people. That goes for this
CETA also. Which has plenty in its agreement on Water - grabbing
and sale.
The village idiots that screwed the country up assisted by a few
others then they are responsible for selling off the country and the
National health by stealth. They are the ones who destroyed our
country and don't want us to get it back the bloody traitors.
They can have all the qualifications available but their record in
office proves they are incompetent at best. Tragically they were
voted in by the people. Get London sorted out and the others will
follow. From what the media has reported London is crumbling as a
society and you clowns in authority think its safe to ignore. The
police and law courts don't have control.
he ne on the left warmonger Blair is the worst of the lot . It is him
that has caused all the problems we have in the world now a days .
Instead of being in the photo he should be behind bars for his
treason to the British People
These are the arse holes that carried on the lies and deceit of the EU
and are still doing it and the silly fuckers of Stoke and Copeland still
voted for the same old parties that they represent,it's about time
people in this country had the guts to stand up for their convictions..
Two of them created an enormous debt for the country, then they
are followed by a weak conservative party that allowed the Liberals
dominate a coalition government. The effort to get some sort of deal
from an unsympathetic EU lead by Germany, France and the
Commission, was to say the least pathetic, being reminiscent of
Chamberlain. They now think they know better than the British
people who are feed up with these self opinionated group of
scrounging wasters. Send them over to Europe without a return
ticket, never to be seen or heard again.
Compendium of best practices for water, BlueSCities waste water,
solid waste and climate adaptation
http://www.bluescities.eu/wp-
content/uploads/2015/12/D2_3_Formatted_v7.pdf
Programme for the Porto Water Innovation Week including the 2017
EIP Water conference is announced.
http://www.eip-water.eu/sites/default/files/PWIW_Save_the_Date.pdf
Water Integrity Network, (2016).
https://www.viawater.nl/files/documents/wigo_book_2016_full.pdf
http://www.eip-
water.eu/sites/default/files/Koop%20and
%20Van%20Leeuwen%202016.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/smart-
regulation/roadmaps/docs/2017_env_006
_water_reuse_instrument_en.pdf
EU Citizenship Report: Commission promotes rights,
values and democracy
Introduction
This note sets out data on the level of domestic water charges in Europe.
Free Allocation
The Programme for Government states that there will be a free allowance and
people will only be charged for their use above this allowance 1, This will mean
that there will be a higher per litre charge than otherwise would be the case as
revenue is only being generated from a smaller pool of chargeable water. The
higher the free allowance is, the higher the price on large volumes of water
there will have to be.
Regardless of which way this balance is struck an average of 360 would be
required from each household to collect 500 million. If the full 1bn of costs
were to be recouped, the household charge would be 720 on average.
However, costs should fall over time as scale economies are realized.
Notes:
1 See Water for Poor People : Lessons from France and Belgium by Dr Henri
Smets for an alternative to a free water allowance for all.
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA18/20170201/105501/HMTG-115-FA18-
Wstate-GardinerN-20170201.pdf
Joint Subcommittee Hearing: Next Steps
in the Special Relationship...
(EventID=105501)
Feb 1, 2017
Follow @HouseForeign
Joint Subcommittee Hearing: Next Steps in the Special
RelationshipImpact of a U.S.-U.K. Free Trade Agreement
Subcommittee on
Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), Chairman
Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Chairman
23 February 2017
Exclusive: Inside Apollo House, tonight at 10pm on TV3.
Join us tonight to discover the inside and real story of how a group
of people took over a NAMA-controlled former office block in Dublin
City Centre and turned it into a shelter for the homeless.
4.
Government Transaction
Through the NPRFC Investment, the NPRFC Placing,
assuming it is implemented, NAMA and the participation in
the Government Guarantee Schemes, the Bank has a
multifaceted and important relationship with the
Government and certain associated entities, in particular
the Department of Finance, the NPRFC and NAMA. In
particular, as at 23 April 2010, the Irish Government,
through the NPRFC, held 15.73% of the Banks Existing
Stock. In addition, as at the date of this Prospectus, the
NPRFC holds the Warrants to subscribe for additional
Ordinary Stock. The Proposals include the implementation
of the Government Transaction, which includes the NPRFC
Placing, the NPRFC Rights Issue Undertaking, the Warrant
Cancellation, the amendment of the dividend and voting
rights attaching to the NPRFCs 2009 Preference Stock,
and a number of commitments to promote the availability
of credit and the development of the Irish economy.
NPRFC Placing
Pursuant to the NPRFC Placing, the NPRFC has agreed to
subscribe for 575,555,556 units of Ordinary Stock at a
price of A1.80 per unit. This will be effected by way of the
conversion of 1,036,000,000 units of 2009 Preference
Stock (at their subscription price of A1.00 per unit of 2009
Preference Stock) to units of Ordinary Stock. In
consideration for the NPRFC Placing, the Bank has agreed
to pay to the NPRFC a fee equal to 1% of the subscription
price for all units of 2009 Preference Stock converted
pursuant to the NPRFC Placing (the NPRFC Placing Fee). In
addition the Bank will pay a Transaction Fee of A22 million
at the closing of the NPRFC Placing. The NPRFC Placing will
be conditional upon the commencement of dealings in the
Nil Paid Rights and Fully Paid Rights pursuant to the Rights
Issue.
NPRFC Rights Issue Undertaking
Pursuant to the NPRFC Rights Issue Undertaking, the
NPRFC has agreed, subject to certain terms and
conditions, to fully take up its entitlement of Rights Issue
Stock, by virtue of its holding of the NPRFC Coupon
Ordinary Stock and its holding of Ordinary Stock as a
result of the NPRFC Placing.
Subject to the passing of the Resolutions and the Rights
Issue proceeding, this will be effected by way of the
conversion of such number of units of the 2009 Preference
Stock held by the NPRFC to units of Ordinary Stock, based
on the subscription price of the 2009 Preference Stock of
A1.00 each, as would be equal to the cash amount which
the NPRFC would be obliged to pay to the Bank in the
event it was to pay cash to take up its full entitlement
under the Rights Issue.
Conditional upon the NPRFC Placing and completion of the
matters contemplated by the NPRFC Rights Issue
Undertaking, and in consideration for the NPRFC Rights
Issue Undertaking, the Bank has also agreed to pay to the
NPRFC the NPRFC Commitment Commission, which will be
calculated on the same basis as the commission being
paid to the Underwriters in respect of their participation in
the underwriting of the Rights Issue.
10
Warrant Cancellation
In addition, the Warrants held by the NPRFC to subscribe
for 334,737,148 units of Ordinary Stock will be cancelled
in return for payment of A491 million in cash by the Bank
to the NPRFC. As such, if the Proposals are approved and
implemented, the NPRFC will cease to hold the Warrants
and the subscription rights pursuant to the Warrants.
Amendment of the NPRFCs dividend and voting rights
As part of the Government Transaction and in connection
with the NPRFC Placing and the NPRFC Rights Issue
Undertaking, and conditional on the passing of the
Resolutions, the rights attaching to the 2009 Preference
Stock will be amended to increase the non-cumulative
dividend to a fixed rate of 10.25% (from 8% currently) of
the issue price per annum, payable annually in arrears at
the discretion of the Bank. This reflects the agreement
reached by the Bank and the NPRFC in respect of the
Government Transaction overall.
In addition, if the Government Transaction is implemented,
certain characteristics and restrictions of the NPRFCs
voting rights attaching to the 2009 Preference Stock and
any Ordinary Stock issued in lieu of cash dividends
(including the NPRFC Coupon Ordinary Stock) or issued
upon the exercise of the Warrants will be modified.
Other Commitments Pursuant to the Government
Transaction Agreement
Under the Government Transaction Agreement, the Bank
has committed to promote the availability of credit and
the development of the Irish economy. Specifically, the
Bank is committed to use all reasonable endeavours to
meet a lending target of A3 billion per annum for new or
increased credit facilities to SMEs in Ireland in each of the
twelve month periods commencing on 1 April 2010 and 1
April 2011. The Bank will produce an SME lending plan to
the Minister for Finance, both by geography and sector, for
each of these twelve month periods to demonstrate the
manner in which it intends to meet this target. In addition,
the Bank has agreed to use all reasonable endeavours to
provide A20 million for seed capital to Enterprise Ireland
supported ventures and A100 million for environmental,
clean energy and innovation projects. The Group is also
required to work with Enterprise Ireland and the Irish
Bankers Federation to develop sectoral expertise in the
modern growth sectors of the Irish economy and to work
with Enterprise Ireland to develop a range of banking
services to meet the needs of Irish SMEs trading
internationally. The Bank has also undertaken to take a
number of steps to develop new credit products in areas
where cashflow, rather than property or assets, is relied on
as the basis for business lending. These various
commitments described above are in addition to those
previously given by the Bank in connection with the NPRFC
Investment and pursuant to the terms of the Subscription
Agreement.
Government Stockholding
If the Government Transaction is implemented as outlined
above, the NPRFC will increase its holding of Ordinary
Stock, but will have its Warrants cancelled and its holding
of 2009 Preference Stock reduced. This would result in the
NPRFC holding up to a maximum of 36% of the enlarged
capital stock following the implementation of the
Proposals (with the NPRFC subscribing fully for its rights in
relation to the NPRFC Coupon Ordinary Stock and the
Ordinary Stock issued pursuant to the NPRFC Placing),
assuming that in addition it fully takes up its Rights in
respect of the units of its other Existing Stock (i.e. the
Ordinary Stock held pursuant to its other investment
activities in addition to the NPRFC Coupon Ordinary Stock)
with no right to purchase additional Ordinary Stock
pursuant to the Warrants. The implementation of the
Proposals would also result in the NPRFCs holding of 2009
Preference Stock falling from the 3,500 million units held
at the date of this Prospectus to a minimum of 1,779
million units and a maximum of 1,888 million units.
NAMA
At the Extraordinary General Court of Bank of Ireland on
12 January 2010, Ordinary Stockholders voted in favour of
Bank of Irelands application to participate in NAMA and in
February 2010, the Minister for Finance confirmed the
Groups designation as a Participating Institution.
Performing and non-performing land and development
loans, together with associated loans (primarily
investment property loans), are being acquired by NAMA
on a phased basis which started on 2 April 2010, with the
largest systemic exposures to the Irish banking system
having been acquired first.
11
The Group expects to transfer to NAMA loans of
approximately A12.2 billion, before impairment provisions,
together with accrued interest and related derivatives. At
31 December 2009, the profile of the loans is shown in the
following table:
Land .........................................
Development ................................... Associated (mainly
investment property) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Republic of Ireland E billion
3.1 2.3 2.3
7.7
UK & Rest of World E billion
1.0 2.1 1.4
4.5
Total E billion
4.1 4.4 3.7
12.2
The loans that are now expected to transfer to NAMA
of approximately A12.2 billion, had impairment provisions
of A2.8 billion at 31 December 2009 which together with
accrued interest and related derivatives of A0.2 billion will
give rise to an expected net transfer of A9.6 billion of Bank
of Ireland Eligible Bank Assets to NAMA.
On 2 April 2010, the Group transferred to NAMA the
Tranche 1 NAMA Assets of A1.9 billion (before impairment
provisions), comprising A0.9 billion of land and
development loans and A1.0 billion of associated loans, for
aggregate consideration of A1.2 billion in Government
guaranteed bonds and non-guaranteed subordinated
bonds.
Applying the level of discount (approximately 36%) on the
disposal of the Tranche 1 NAMA Assets to the portfolio of
A12.2 billion of loans would result in a loss of A4.4 billion
(before impairment provisions of A2.8 billion at 31
December 2009). At the Extraordinary General Court of 12
January 2010, the Group provided guidance that we
believe that the discount to book value that we will
receive in payment for these loans by NAMA should not be
greater than A4.8 billion representing a 30% discount
on the Ministers estimate of A16 billion total loan book
value of loans to be transferred.
While the quantum of loans expected to transfer, the mix
of those loans and the discount expected on those loans
has changed since the Extraordinary General Court on 12
January 2010, the Group believes that the aggregate euro
value of the discount of A4.4 billion on the total portfolio of
Bank of Ireland Eligible Bank Assets will be within the
guidance provided of A4.4 billion at the Extraordinary
General Court of the Bank on 12 January 2010.
However, it should be noted that the Group is currently
unable to accurately quantify the ultimate expected loss
on the transfer of all the Bank of Ireland Eligible Bank
Assets to NAMA. The limited number and nature of the
loans involved in the first tranche mean that it may not be
a representative sample of the total portfolio of assets
held for sale to NAMA and consequently the loss on sale is
not necessarily indicative of the loss that is expected to
arise on the entire portfolio of Bank of Ireland Eligible Bank
Assets that will ultimately transfer. Therefore, significant
uncertainties remain as to the final discount which will be
applicable to Bank of Ireland.
In consideration of the transfer of Bank of Ireland Eligible
Bank Assets to NAMA, the Group receives a combination of
Government guaranteed bonds, to be issued by NAMA and
guaranteed by the Minister for Finance (not less than 95%
of the consideration), and non-guaranteed subordinated
bonds (not more than 5% of the consideration). The
Government guaranteed bonds are designed to be
marketable instruments that are capable of being pledged
as funding collateral to debt market investors and to
Monetary Authorities such as the ECB and the Group
expects to be able to exchange such marketable
instruments for cash at minimal cost.
5. Rationale and Key Benefits of the Proposals
Rationale
The Directors believe that given the completion of the
transfer of the Tranche 1 NAMA Assets, the re-affirmation
of the non-NAMA bound loans impairment guidance, the
increased clarity on the EU Restructuring Plan, the clarity
from the Financial Regulator of its requirements for
additional Equity Tier 1 Capital in the Group, the
completion by the Group of a review of its defined benefit
pension schemes and the stabilising economic outlook in
its core Irish market and the UK, where there is some
evidence that economic recovery is already underway, the
Group is now in a position to take significant steps to
strengthen further its capital base through the initiatives
more fully described in paragraph 3 (The Proposals) of this
Summary.
The Groups key business priorities are to (i) support its
customers; (ii) maintain a strong capital position; (iii) fund
its balance sheet effectively; (iv) manage its credit risks;
(v) rigorously manage its costs; and (vi) return to
profitability and achieve profitable growth.
The Directors believe that the Group has the appropriate
strategy to rebuild and grow the Group as its core markets
in Ireland and the UK recover and, consequently, deliver
value for Stockholders.
12
Key Benefits of the Proposals
The Directors believe the Proposals are beneficial to the
Group because they:
will increase Equity Tier 1 Capital by not less than A2.8
billion, net of expenses and the Warrant Cancellation,
which, if the Proposals had been implemented as at 31
December 2009, would have resulted in a pro forma
Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 8.0%, Core Tier 1 Capital
Ratio of 10.1%, a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 10.5% and Total
Capital Ratio of 13.5% for the Group under Basel II, based
on the assumptions and adjustments set out in Part XV
(Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information) of this
Prospectus, as compared with a reported Equity Tier 1
Capital Ratio of 5.3%, Core Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 8.9%, a
Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 9.8% and Total Capital Ratio of
13.4% for the Group at 31 December 2009;
will strengthen the Groups capital position, to provide
wholesale funding markets and depositors with increased
confidence in the Group and support a prudent
disengagement from the Government Guarantee Schemes
as market conditions allow, which should enable the Group
to achieve its strategic growth objectives in its core
business portfolios;
should reduce Existing Stockholder dilution by including
a rights issue as a significant part of the capital raising
proposition rather than relying solely on a non pre-emptive
placing that would not be available to Existing
Stockholders; and
have been selected to limit Government ownership of
the Ordinary Stock the net proceeds of the Institutional
Placing and the Rights Issue (excluding the NPRFC Rights
Issue Undertaking) are underwritten by a syndicate of
underwriters, thus ensuring that the maximum
Government ownership of Ordinary Stock arising from the
implementation of the Proposals will not be higher than
36%; and the Proposals additionally include the
cancellation of the NPRFCs Warrants, which will reduce
the potential for the NPRFC to increase its stockholding in
the Bank further following implementation of the
Proposals.
In addition, by strengthening the Groups capital position,
the Proposals will enable the Group to continue to play an
important role in supporting the recovery of the Irish
economy through the continued provision of credit.
Financial Targets
The implementation of the Proposals will place the Group
in a significantly strengthened capital position, which the
Group expects will facilitate the delivery of sustainable
growth and over time build value for Ordinary
Stockholders.
In recent periods, the Group has experienced net interest
margin attrition primarily as a result of the low interest
rate environment, higher cost of wholesale funding and
competition on deposit pricing. This trend is expected to
continue in the short term as the Group increases its
quantum of term funding in pursuit of its strategy to
prudently disengage from the Government Guarantee
Schemes. Margin expansion is a key management priority.
The expected continuation of recent strong lending
margins on new business, increased demand for lending
as economic growth returns, anticipated increases in base
interest rates and the lower wholesale funding costs
expected in the future, are all expected to be positive for
the Groups net interest margin over time. In addition, by
actively re- pricing the existing loan book, by maximising
the margin from non-core portfolios and by re-pricing
deposits, the Group is targeting a net interest margin in
excess of 175 basis points in the year ending 31
December 2013.
Since March 2008, the Group has demonstrated the
scalable nature of its cost base as it refocused on its core
portfolios. The Group will continue to maintain its rigorous
approach to cost management and is implementing a
range of initiatives to further reduce costs. These
initiatives, together with the expected margin expansion
referred to above, are expected to lower the Groups cost
income ratio to below 50% in the year ending 31
December 2013.
The Group has enhanced its approach to credit
management and is rigorously managing all of its credit
risks. It is expected that the impairment charge on non-
NAMA bound loans peaked in 2009 and is expected to
reduce progressively in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The Proposals are expected to fully address, for the 3 year
period to 2012, the Groups capital requirements as set
out by the Financial Regulator in the Prudential Capital
Assessment Review on 30 March 2010. The Proposals will
strengthen the Groups capital position and are expected
to enable it to maintain an Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio in
excess of 7%, under Basel II.
Funding the Group is reverting to a more traditional
banking model where it will substantially fund its core loan
portfolios through customer deposits. The Group will
leverage the potential of its extensive retail distribution
platforms both in the Republic of Ireland through its
branch network and internationally through its joint
venture with the UK Post Office, its Business and
Corporate Banking relationship management teams and
its network of
13
treasury offices in Dublin, the UK and the US to attract
deposits to fund asset growth. This more sustainable
funding strategy together with the initiatives to de-lever
the Groups balance sheet are expected to reduce the
Groups loan to deposit ratio to below 125% in the year
ending 31 December 2013.
The achievement of the above financial targets should
allow the Group to deliver a return on equity in the low
teens to mid teens percent in the year ending 31
December 2013.
6. State aid and EU Restructuring Plan
As previously announced, the NPRFC Investment, the
Government Transaction and the Groups participation in
NAMA are the subject of an ongoing review by the
European Commission under EU State aid rules. As part of
this review under State aid rules a restructuring plan was
prepared by the Group and submitted by the Department
of Finance to the European Commission on 30 September
2009. Any such plan is required to contain measures to
address an appropriate level of burden-sharing by the
Group and its Stockholders and noteholders and to limit
any competition distortion resulting from any State aid
received by the Group, as well as an assessment of the
long-term viability of the Group.
The European Commission will require the Group to effect
certain structural and behavioural measures. Accordingly,
over the last number of months, the Group and the
Department of Finance have been involved in detailed
negotiations with the European Commission in relation to
the terms of the EU Restructuring Plan.
The Group expects that the decision regarding the
approval of the proposed measures, including the final
binding terms of the EU Restructuring Plan, will be taken
by the European Commission, by mid-2010. Therefore, at
the date of this Prospectus, there can be no certainty as to
the outcome of the State aid proceedings and the content
of the final EU Restructuring Plan. The Group expects,
however, based on the current status of its negotiations
through the Department of Finance with the European
Commission that the final EU Restructuring Plan is likely to
consist of the key elements set out below.
Business Disposals
The Group will commit to dispose of certain businesses,
namely: (i) New Ireland Assurance Company plc, a
manufacturer of pension, life assurance and related
products for individuals and SMEs with approximately 19%
share of new business in Ireland; (ii) Bank of Ireland Asset
Management Limited, an investment management
business headquartered in Dublin with approximately A25
billion assets under management at 31 December 2009;
(iii) ICS Building Society, an Irish intermediary-sourced
mortgage business with mortgage loans of approximately
A7 billion (of which the Group will commit to sell a
minimum of A2 billion) and deposits of approximately A4
billion outstanding at 31 December 2009; (iv) Foreign
Currency Exchange Corporation, the Groups US foreign
exchange business; and (v) its stakes in Paul Capital Top
Tier Investments LLC and the Irish Credit Bureau Limited.
Historical financial impact on the Group business
disposals
The assets and liabilities, and the associated income and
expenses, of the businesses to be divested cannot be
determined with precision until nearer the date of sale.
However, the Group estimates that, as at 31 December
2009, the businesses to be divested comprised
approximately A7 billion of lending and approximately A4
billion of deposits and, on this basis, approximately A0.9
billion of Risk Weighted Assets. For the nine month period
ended 31 December 2009, the Group estimates that the
businesses to be divested generated underlying1 total
income of approximately A200 million, generated
underlying operating profit (before impairment charges) of
approximately A90 million, and contributed approximately
A40 million of underlying profit before tax to the Group.
Loan portfolios wind-down/sale
The Group continues to wind down its UK intermediary
sourced mortgage portfolio and also certain discontinued
international corporate lending portfolios (comprising
approximately 25% of customer lending at 31 December
2009). The Group will also attempt to accelerate the wind-
down of these portfolios by way of sale, but will not have
an obligation to sell either portfolio at less than book
value.
If the Group has not wound down or sold its UK
intermediary mortgage book to below an agreed level, it
will commit to meet the following target from 31
December 2013:
Group Customer Loans 100% Group Customer Deposits
plus Wholesale Funding H 1 year
1 Underlying excludes the gross-up for policyholder tax in
New Ireland which amounted to a gain of approximately
A60 million in the nine months ended 31 December 2009.
14
Historical financial impact on the Group wind-down
assets
The Group estimates that, as of 31 December 2009, the
loan portfolios to be wound down comprised
approximately A34 billion of lending and approximately A6
billion of Risk Weighted Assets. For the nine month period
ended 31 December 2009, the Group estimates that the
loan portfolios to be wound down generated total income
of approximately A190 million, generated operating profit
(before impairment charges) of approximately A145
million, and contributed approximately A60 million of profit
before tax to the Group.
Behavioural Commitments
Certain behavioural commitments, including:
The Group will make available a service package to
other banks and financial institutions comprising a range
of clearing and related operational services on a cost
recovery basis;
The Group will also facilitate customer mobility by
undertaking certain direct mailings of qualifying third
party financial product offerings to the Groups customer
base;
A commitment from the Group not to make discretionary
payments of coupons or to exercise voluntary call options
on hybrid capital securities from 1 February 2010 to 31
January 2011;
A commitment from the Bank not to pay dividends on
Ordinary Stock until the earlier of (i) 30 September 2012;
or (ii) such time as the 2009 Preference Stock is redeemed
or no longer owned by the State through the NPRFC or
otherwise; and
A commitment from the Bank not to make any material
acquisitions.
Implementation
These measures will be required to be implemented over
various time frames between now and December 2014.
The implementation of the final EU Restructuring Plan may
also require various approvals which may include
approvals from financial regulators, Stockholders pursuant
to the Listing Rules or other approvals required under
competition law.
Conclusion
The Directors believe that the anticipated final EU
Restructuring Plan as described above is sufficient to
obtain approval from the European Commission for all
State aid the Group has received including as a result of (i)
the NPRFC Investment; (ii) the Groups participation in
NAMA; and (iii) the extent that the Government
Transaction might constitute State aid. On the basis of the
impact indicated by the historical financial information set
out above the Directors do not expect that an EU
Restructuring Plan as described above, would be
materially detrimental to the long term interests of the
Group.
7. Re-affirmation of non-NAMA related loan impairment
estimates
As announced on 31 March 2010, the Group has
conducted an extensive internal review of its impairment
charge estimates on its non-NAMA bound loans and
advances to customers. The outcome of this review is to
re-affirm the Groups previous impairment charge
guidance of A4.7 billion on the non-NAMA bound loan
portfolio for the three years ending 31 March 2011.
In parallel with this review, the Group has engaged Oliver
Wyman, a leading international management consulting
firm, to independently review and challenge the Groups
impairment charge estimates on its non-NAMA bound
loans. Oliver Wyman has confirmed to the Group that, on
the basis of the work it has performed and subject to
limitations and qualifications set out in the Oliver Wyman
report, it believes the Groups non-NAMA impairment
charge estimates to be reasonable.
8. Pensions
The Group operates a number of defined benefit and
defined contribution pension schemes in Ireland and
overseas, with total scheme membership at approximately
29,000. As at 31 December 2009, the pension schemes
had an IAS 19 deficit of A1.63 billion, and, in January 2010,
the Group launched a pensions review programme to
address the deficit in its defined benefit schemes. The
main objectives of the review were (i) to achieve a
significant immediate reduction in the IAS 19 deficit; and
(ii) to reduce the cost and risk associated with pension
provision going forward.
15
The Group has had very significant engagement with
staff representative bodies and the relevant trustee
boards, and has undertaken a communications
programme with current employees and the other
members of the pension schemes. Extensive discussions
have taken place in order to address the deficit through a
shared solution, comprising a combination of benefit
restructuring and additional employer contributions over a
period of time.
Through this process and following a recommendation by
an independent third party chairman, the Bank, the main
bank union (IBOA) and the trustee board of the Bank of
Ireland Staff Pensions Fund (BSPF) (which accounts for
approximately 85% of the total deficit across all the
schemes) have reached an agreement in principle in
relation to the BSPF scheme. Where appropriate, similar
changes will be proposed for other schemes, and
discussions with other relevant trustee boards have
commenced. Based on these discussions, the agreement
in principle and other member feedback, the Directors are
confident of achieving a significant upfront reduction in
the pension deficit in the coming months.
Full implementation of the amendments to the Groups
pension schemes would eliminate approximately 50% of
the 31 December 2009 IAS 19 deficit. If such amendments
are implemented, the Bank will increase its cash
contributions, above existing cash contributions, to the
schemes so as to eliminate the approximately 50%
remaining of the 31 December 2009 IAS 19 deficit over
approximately 6 years.
9. Current trading, trends and prospects
Selected Financial Information1
For the nine month financial period ended 31 December
2009, the Group had total operating income, net of
insurance claims, of A3.60 billion (compared with A3.96
billion and A4.24 billion, respectively, for the financial
years ended 31 March 2009 and 31 March 2008) and loss
after tax of A1.47 billion (compared with profit after tax of
A18 million2 and A1.70 billion, respectively, for the
financial years ended 31 March 2009 and 31 March 2008).
As at 31 December 2009, the Group had total assets of
A181 billion (compared with A194 billion and A197 billion,
respectively, as at 31 March 2009 and 31 March 2008) and
shareholders equity of A6 billion (compared with A7 billion
and A7 billion, respectively, as at 31 March 2009 and 31
March 2008).
As at 31 December 2009, the Group had an Equity Tier 1
Capital Ratio of 5.3% (compared with 6.2% as at 31 March
2009), a Core Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 8.9% (compared with
9.5% as at 31 March 2009), a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 9.8%
(compared with 12% as at 31 March 2009) and a Total
Capital Ratio of 13.4% (compared with 15.2% as at 31
March 2009). The capital ratios as at 31 December 2009
and 31 March 2009 have been calculated under Basel II.
As at 31 March 2008, the Group had an Equity Tier 1
Capital Ratio of 5.6%, a Core Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 5.7%,
a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 8.1% and a Total Capital Ratio of
11.1%.
Trading Update
Trading conditions in the Groups core markets in Ireland
and the UK in the 2010 financial year remained
challenging though economic conditions have recently
shown some signs of stabilisation after the substantial fall
in economic output from early in 2008.
Net interest income is being impacted by a number of
factors:
the low interest rate environment together with the
impact of continuing competition on deposit pricing,
placing pressure on deposit margins;
the higher cost of wholesale funding as the Group
continues to increase the quantum of term funding
(wholesale funding with a maturity of one year or greater)
in pursuit of the Groups strategy to disengage in a
prudent manner from the Government Guarantee
Schemes; and
while lending margins on new business remain strong,
low levels of new business activity mutes the impact of
this.
As a result, the Group continues to anticipate some
downward pressure on net interest margin in 2010.
Ongoing strong cost discipline across the Group and the
benefits of business disposals and other initiatives
implemented in the prior financial year continue to deliver
cost savings as anticipated. The challenging economic
conditions, unemployment and weak consumer sentiment
continue to impact the loan impairment charge as
expected. The Directors continue to believe that loan
losses on non-NAMA bound loan portfolios have peaked
with the
1 This data has been extracted without material
adjustment from the December 2009 Annual Report, the
2009 Annual Report and the 2008 Annual Report.
2 This figure has been restated to reflect the impact of the
adoption of Amendments to IFRS 2 Shares-based
Payment Vesting Conditions and Cancellations
16
impairment charge progressively reducing as
previously guided. Expected loan losses on these
portfolios for the three year period to 31 March 2011
remain within the loan loss guidance of A4.7 billion.
The quantum of customer lending, including loans held for
sale to NAMA, remains broadly unchanged at 31 March
2010 when compared to 31 December 2009 on a constant
currency basis. The demand for new loans is muted.
Competition for customer deposits remains intense and
customer deposits at 31 March 2010 are marginally lower
compared to 31 December 2009 on a constant currency
basis. In January 2010, the Groups long term and short
term credit ratings were downgraded by Standard & Poors
to A- / A-2 with a stable outlook. In the quarter ended 31
March 2010 the Group raised approximately A4.5 billion in
term funding (funding with a maturity greater than one
year at date of issue). In line with the Groups stated
goals, the maturity profile of its wholesale funding has
been extended with over 37% of its overall wholesale
funding having a maturity of greater than one year at 31
March 2010 compared to 32% at 31 December 2009.
Equity Tier 1 Capital and Core Tier 1 Capital were
positively impacted by the Lower Tier 2 Securities
exchange completed in February 2010 which generated a
gain of A405 million.
10. Dividend Policy
On 13 November 2008, in light of the deteriorating
economic conditions and the determination to preserve
capital, the Bank announced its decision to cancel
dividend payments on Ordinary Stock for the financial year
ending 31 March 2009.
On 19 January 2010, following communications from the
European Commission that the Bank should not make
coupon payments on its Tier 1 Securities and Upper Tier 2
Securities unless under a binding legal obligation to do so,
the Group announced that the non-cumulative
distributions on the LP2 Securities and the LP3 Securities,
which would otherwise have been payable on 1 February
2010 and 4 February 2010 respectively, would not be paid.
The effect of this decision by the Bank was to trigger the
dividend stopper provisions of the LP2 Securities. While
these dividend stoppers remain in force, the Group is
precluded for a period of one calendar year from and
including 1 February 2010 from declaring and making any
distribution or dividend payment on its Ordinary Stock, the
non-cumulative euro and Sterling Preference Stock, the
2009 Preference Stock and the Hybrid/Preferred Securities.
The Bank issued the NPRFC Coupon Ordinary Stock to the
NPRFC on Monday, 22 February 2010 in lieu of the cash
dividend due to the holders of the 2009 Preference Stock
on 20 February 2010.
In addition, under the terms of the CIFS Guarantee
Scheme, the Bank is precluded from paying dividends on
the Ordinary Stock without the prior approval of the
Minister for Finance until the expiry of the CIFS Guarantee
Scheme which is scheduled to take place on 29 September
2010. The prohibition can be extended under the ELG
Scheme.
Under the EU Restructuring Plan, the Group will commit
not to make discretionary payments of coupons or to
exercise voluntary call options on hybrid capital securities
on or before 31 January 2011. Thereafter, any conditions
imposed by the European Commission in respect of hybrid
capital securities are expected to fall away. Also under the
EU Restructuring Plan, the Bank will commit not to pay
dividends on its Ordinary Stock until the earlier of (i) 30
September 2012; or (ii) such date that the 2009
Preference Stock is redeemed or no longer owned by the
State through the NPRFC or otherwise.
The Directors intend to resume paying dividends on
Ordinary Stock after the above conditions have been
satisfied and the Group has demonstrated that it can
maintain appropriate capital ratios and sustainable profits.
11. Overview of Bank of Ireland
The Group provides a broad range of financial services in
Ireland to all major sectors of the Irish economy. These
include monetary transmission services (including current
accounts) and deposit taking, overdrafts, term loans,
mortgages, business and corporate lending, international
asset financing, leasing, instalment credit, debt factoring,
foreign exchange facilities, interest and exchange rate
hedging instruments, life assurance, pension investment
and investment fund management, fund administration
and custodial services and financial advisory services,
including mergers and acquisitions and underwriting.
17
The Group provides services in euro and other
currencies. The Group markets and sells its products on a
domestic basis through its extensive nationwide
distribution network in Ireland, which consists of 251 full
time branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs, its direct
telephone banking service, direct sales forces and its
online services.
The UK Financial Services (UKFS) division incorporates
Business Banking in Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
the branch network in Northern Ireland, the discontinued
intermediary sourced mortgage business operating under
Bristol & West and Bank of Ireland brands and the joint
ventures with the UK Post Office, namely Post Office
Financial and Travel Services. In addition, the Bank
provides corporate lending and treasury products and
services to corporate customers in Northern Ireland,
England, Scotland and Wales through its corporate
banking and global markets businesses which have offices
in Belfast, Bristol and London.
Operations in the rest of the world are undertaken by:
12.
Corporate Banking, which is engaged in international
lending, with operations located in France, Germany and
the US;
Global Markets, which delivers a comprehensive range of
risk management products to the Groups customer base.
Additional Information
For further information on the capital stock of the Bank,
see paragraph 2 (Capital Stock) of Part XVIII (Additional
Information) of this Prospectus. For further information on
related party transactions, see paragraph 7 (Related Party
Transactions) of Part XVIII (Additional Information) of this
Prospectus. A summary of the Banks Charter and Bye-
Laws is set out in paragraph 4 (Charter and Bye-Laws) of
Part XVIII (Additional Information) of this Prospectus. For
further information on the documents on display, see
paragraph 20 (Documents Available For Inspection) of Part
XVIII (Additional Information) of this Prospectus.
13. Risk Factors
The Groups financial results, financial condition and
prospects could be materially and adversely affected by
any of the risks described below:
General risks related to Bank of Ireland
Ireland: The Groups businesses are subject to risks
arising from general and sector specific economic
conditions in Ireland, which have materially adversely
affected the Groups earnings and are likely to continue to
affect its results, financial condition and prospects;
Further downgrades to the Irish sovereign ratings or
outlook could impair the Groups access to funding, trigger
additional collateral requirements and weaken its
competitive position;
In addition to Ireland, the Groups businesses are subject
to inherent risks arising from general and sector specific
economic conditions in other countries to which the Group
has an exposure, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Adverse developments, such as the recent deterioration in
general economic conditions and in the global financial
markets, have already materially adversely affected the
Groups earnings and are likely to continue to affect its
results, financial condition and prospects;
Decreases in the credit quality of the Groups borrowers
and counterparties, as well as increased difficulties in
relation to the recoverability of loans and other amounts
due from such borrowers and counterparties, have
resulted in increases, and could result in further significant
increases, in the Groups impaired loans and impairment
charges;
Increased volatility in financial markets has resulted in,
and may continue to result in, reduced asset valuations
which could further adversely affect the Groups results,
financial condition and prospects;
The Group is exposed to declining property values and a
deterioration in the performance of the residential and
commercial property markets, particularly in Ireland and
the United Kingdom;
Market risks, including interest rate risk, foreign
exchange risk, bond and equity price risk and other
market risks, could materially adversely affect the Groups
results, financial condition and prospects;
Constraints on liquidity, lack of availability of funding
and increased cost of funding could materially adversely
affect the Groups business;
The Group relies on customer deposits to fund a
considerable portion of its loan portfolio, the ongoing
availability of which is sensitive to factors outside the
Groups control. Loss of consumer confidence in the
Groups business or in banking businesses generally,
among other things, could result in unexpectedly high
18
levels of customer deposit withdrawals, which could
have a material adverse effect on the Groups results,
financial condition and liquidity prospects;
The termination of, or changes to the operation of, or the
participation by the Group in, the CIFS Guarantee Scheme
and the ELG Scheme or changes in the terms of the
Groups participation in such schemes could have an
adverse effect on the Groups results, financial condition
and prospects;
The Irish banking system may restructure and change
significantly which could have a material adverse effect on
the Groups results, financial condition and prospects;
The NPRFC Investment, the Government Transaction and
NAMA are the subject of a review by the European
Commission under EU State aid rules, the outcome of
which is uncertain and may involve the prohibition of
some or all elements of the State aid provided to the
Group by the Government, the requirement for the Group
to repay the State aid, or the imposition of conditions on
the Group that may be materially adverse to its interests;
The Groups participation in the CIFS Guarantee Scheme,
the ELG Scheme, the NPRFC Investment, NAMA and the
Government Transaction could require the Group to
implement operational policies that could materially
adversely affect the Groups results, financial condition
and prospects;
Participation in NAMA may subject the Group to
directions from the Financial Regulator, NAMA, the Minister
for Finance or the European Commission which could have
a material adverse effect on the Groups results, financial
condition and prospects;
The NPRFC could exercise its voting rights in a manner
which is not aligned with the interests of the Group or its
other stockholders;
A change in Government policy or the Irish Government
could have a material adverse effect on the Groups
results, financial condition, liquidity and prospects;
The discount on disposal of Bank of Ireland Eligible Bank
Assets to NAMA may exceed the Groups estimate of A4.4
billion (including impairment provisions of A2.8 billion at
31 December 2009), and if it did it would adversely impact
the Groups capital and results of operations. Even after
the transfer of assets to NAMA, the Group is exposed to
some of NAMAs losses in the event that NAMA has an
underlying loss at the conclusion of its operations;
A series of further downgrades to the Groups credit
ratings or credit outlook could impair the Groups access
to funding, either by borrowing or through access to
capital markets, trigger additional collateral requirements
and/or weaken its competitive position;
The Group operates in competitive markets (subject to
some price regulation) which are subject to significant
change and uncertainty which could have a material
adverse effect on its results, financial condition and
prospects;
The Group is subject to extensive regulation and
oversight. Failure to comply with its regulatory obligations
and to manage the associated risks properly could have a
material adverse effect on the Groups results, financial
condition and prospects;
The Group is subject to extensive regulation and
supervision in relation to the levels of capital in its
business. The minimum regulatory capital requirements,
as well as the manner in which existing regulatory capital
is calculated, could change in the future, which could
materially adversely affect the Groups results, financial
conditions and prospects;
If the Group proceeds to transfer part of its UK business
to a newly-incorporated, wholly owned subsidiary, any
such subsidiary could be subject to special resolution
regime powers under the UK Banking Act 2009;
If the Group is required to hold higher levels of capital
than anticipated by the market, this could have a material
adverse impact on the Groups results, financial condition
and prospects;
The Group may be subject to litigation proceedings and
regulatory investigations which could have a material
adverse impact on its results, financial condition and
prospects;
If a court of law were to determine that the Bank is
under a binding legal obligation to pay dividends on the
1992 Preference Stock, except in certain specified
circumstances, the Bank could be required to compensate
holders or former holders of the 1992 Preference Stock
and could potentially be subject to claims by holders or
former holders of Hybrid/Preferred Securities;
The investigation into the factors which contributed to
the Irish banking crisis announced by the Irish
Government, may result in the Group incurring costs in
facilitating and engaging with the investigation and may
result, depending on the findings of the investigation, in
reputational damage to the Group or further investigations
into the Groups conduct;
19
The Group may not succeed in implementing or fully
implementing its plan to reduce the deficits in the defined
benefit pension schemes it sponsors by a combination of
benefit restructuring and additional employer
contributions. In the event that these deficits result in the
schemes becoming unable to meet their liabilities, the
Group could elect to, or be required to, make additional,
potentially significant, contributions to the schemes which
could have a materially negative impact on the Groups
financial condition and trading performance. In addition,
and notwithstanding the implementation of these plans to
reduce the deficits, the Group may if appropriate, elect to,
or may be required to, make further contributions to its
pension schemes if the value of pension fund assets is not
sufficient to cover potential obligations;
Weaknesses or failures in the Groups internal processes
and procedures including IT or equipment failures and
other operational risks could have a material adverse
effect on the Groups results, financial condition and
prospects and could result in reputational damage;
The Groups life assurance business is subject to
inherent risks involving claims, as well as market
conditions generally;
In Ireland and the Isle of Man, the Group is responsible
for contributing to compensation schemes in respect of
banks and other authorised financial services firms that
may be unable to meet their obligations to customers;
If the Group becomes subject to employment disputes or
industrial action, this could adversely affect its business;
The Group may not be able to recruit, retain and develop
appropriate senior management and skilled personnel;
The Groups operations have inherent reputational risk,
meaning the risk to earnings and capital from negative
public opinion;
The effect of the realisation of country risk in respect of
other sovereign issuers could spread to Irish financial
institutions and could result in a material adverse effect on
the Groups results, financial condition and prospects;
The value of certain financial instruments recorded at
fair value is determined using financial models
incorporating assumptions, judgements and estimates
that may change over time or may ultimately not turn out
to be accurate;
Change of control may lead to adverse consequences for
the Group;
Changes in taxation rates, legislation or practice may
lead to adverse consequences for the Group; and
The Groups results of operations and the markets in
which it operates may be adversely affected by terrorist,
geopolitical, pandemic and natural disaster risks.
Risks relating to the Proposals
The Proposals may not be approved by Stockholders at
the Extraordinary General Court;
If the Group does not raise capital through the Proposals
(including as a result of the Resolutions not being
approved or the termination of the Underwriting
Agreement), it may be unable to access additional capital
or find alternative methods of increasing its Equity Tier 1
Capital Ratio, Core Tier 1 Capital Ratio, Tier 1 Capital Ratio
and Total Capital Ratio, and there will be further limits on
its ability to access capital, and its business, financial
condition, results of operations and stock price will suffer.
As a result, it may be necessary for the Group to seek
further equity investment by the Irish Government, which
may lead to majority State ownership and ultimately to
nationalisation; and
Stockholders may have their percentage ownership
diluted depending on the extent to which they take up
their rights entitlements under the Rights Issue and to the
extent that debt holders elect to receive Allotment
Instruments under the Debt for Equity Offers.
Risks relating to the Rights Issue, the Institutional Placing
and the NPRFC Placing
Stockholders who do not subscribe for Rights Issue Stock
in the Rights Issue will experience dilution in their
ownership of the Bank;
Stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership
of the Bank as a result of the Placing and the Debt for
Equity Offers;
An active trading market in the Nil Paid Rights may not
develop;
Admission of the Placing Stock, the Rights Issue Stock,
the Ordinary Stock issued pursuant to the NPRFC Placing
and the NPRFC Coupon Ordinary Stock to trading on the
Irish Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange may
not occur when expected; and
20
It may be difficult for investors outside Ireland to serve
process on or enforce foreign judgments against the Bank
in connection with the Rights Issue and the Institutional
Placing.
Risks relating to the Ordinary Stock
The Banks stock price has been and could further be
subject to significant fluctuations;
The market price of Ordinary Stock may be materially
adversely affected by a significant sale of Ordinary Stock
by the NPRFC;
The Group is currently precluded from paying dividends
or distributions on certain instruments affected by the
terms of a dividend stopper, including the 2009
Preference Stock and the ACSM Hybrids for a period of one
calendar year from and including 1 February 2010. In the
event that the Group remains, or subsequently becomes,
precluded from paying, or elects not to pay, such
dividends on the 2009 Preference Stock and/or the ACSM
Hybrids, it will be required to issue units of Ordinary Stock
to the holders of the 2009 Preference Stock (being the
NPRFC) and/or to a trustee on behalf of the holders of the
ACSM Hybrids, as the case may be. Consequently, the
proportionate ownership and voting interests of Existing
Stockholders will be diluted;
Future issues of Ordinary Stock on a non-pre-emptive
basis may further dilute the holdings of Existing
Stockholders and could materially affect the market price
of the Ordinary Stock. The market price of the Ordinary
Stock may also be adversely affected by the sale of a
large amount of Ordinary Stock by a significant
stockholder; and
The Bank is currently precluded and will be precluded for
some period from paying dividends in respect of the
Ordinary Stock and this may have an adverse effect on the
market price of the Ordinary Stock.
Committee expected to
recommend 100m water
charges refunds to those
who have paid up
Niall O'Connor
February 28 2017
An Oireachtas committee set up to examine
the future of water charges is expected to
recommend the issuing of refunds to
households that have paid their bills to date.
Committee sources last night said there was now a
growing consensus that refunds should be issued in lieu of
the option of pursuing those who had boycotted the
charges.
Members are also leaning towards the introduction of an
excessive usage charge, which will be levelled on
households found to be wasting water.
The measure is a key recommendation in the report
produced by the expert commission on water charges.
Special provisions for those on group water schemes will
also form part of the package voted on in the Dil, sources
say.
But TDs and senators remain split on key issues, including
whether the metering programme should be continued.
With the Dil due to debate the issue of water charges next
month, the work of the committee has now entered its
most critical phase.
There is growing unease within Government that failure to
strike an agreement on the issue could precipitate a
general election.
While no measures have been agreed, various sources say
they believe the issue of refunds has emerged as one of the
least contentious issues.
The committee has now sought an option paper in relation
to how best to reimburse the one million households that
have paid their bills.
It's estimated that refunds will cost the State in the region
of 100m.
Given the Dil arithmetic, the overall fate of water charges
will depend on whether Fine Gael and Fianna Fil can
reach a "compromise", according to senior sources in both
parties.
Fine Gael remains in favour of a "modest charge" for
households and has said the recommendation by the
expert commission that the State becomes the main
customer of Irish Water, rather than the household, is
doable.
But Fianna Fil is coming under pressure to soften its
position, which has changed on several occasions already.
In its submission to the expert commission, the party
proposes the abolition of charges and the funding of the
water system through general taxation.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/committee-expected-to-
recommend-100m-water-charges-refunds-to-those-who-have-paid-up-
35488713.html
Every citizen has a right to have access to clean water etc. But, that does
not mean that this access should not be funded by the consumer. A right
to untrammelled access to free water for all the citizenry is plain wrong.
Such a service needs to be funded by the user just as is the provision of
electricity or a passport or public transport. Charges for water usage are
logical and necessary (that they are mandated by the EU is a spurious
argument). The reason (not a small one) for which they are being
opposed is due entirely to political expediency. There is no economic
logic is dispensing with water charges.
The fact that SUCCESSIVE FFG governments siphoned it off elsewhere
is not the fault of the taxpayers. I will not pay for it twice and certainly
not to IW.
The majority of people do not want direct water charges. It has already
been established that installing meters in every house to potentially
catch a tiny minority who may waste water excessively is not
economically viable - in fact it's simply stupid. So forget about it, it is
not going to happen. If you're not willing to implement the will of the
majority of Irish Citizens on this issue, then step aside. FG will be
demolished in any upcoming election, keep pushing it Simon.
Back in 2011, under Fine Fail, it was decided in the budget to reduce the
tax relief on pensions. The savings to the exchequer were going to be
huge, over 1bn per annum. But the plan was scrapped and hardly
anyone knew about it.
The water would cost the State around the same, ie 1bn per annum,
and it took years for the majority of the general pulic to have it
overturned.
What does this say about the perception of politics in Ireland and who
really governs Ireland?
People are not fools when bin charges came in we were told its a modest
fee the polluter must pay there was waivers for the poor and old now its
a money making machine for private industry without regulation,
charge what you like only stopped by voluntary intervention from
paying for recycling. The same thing will happen with water the average
bill according to the back of the water bill will be 700 per year once all
the discounts are removed. I will vote for any party that promises to
remove this vile charge, I remember FG's promise to do away with the
USC still waiting its back to people power and Mr.Coveney is still not
listening and did not get the message after the last election I say bring it
on and get your answer.
Come on, Blueshirts, call that election and let's see how well you get on.
Since day one, the 2011 coalition worked steadfastly to restore investor
confidence, at home and internationally, to reassure members of that
community that Ireland was under new management and had reopened
for business.
Renewed confidence has attracted large injections of FDI, resulting in
thousands of new jobs, which has in turn encouraged indigenous
businesses to open, or expand. The incredibly sedative affect Noonan
in particular had on his EU counterparts inspired the confidence which
enabled him to secure the approval of the other 27 members of the EU
to allow Ireland repay the IMF segment of our bailout and refinance it at
much lower rates, with an estimated saving of 3.5 billion. While
Irelands national debt and its servicing still weigh heavily on the State,
that same confidence enables the Exchequer to fund it at 0.91% (10 year
yield) significantly lower than that being demanded of Portugal 3.91%,
Spain 1.66% and Italy 2.1%.
Tourism plays a significant role in our economy and initiatives such as
The Gathering, the reduction in the VAT rate and most recently The
Wild Atlantic Way, are widely credited with the impressive recovery in
that industry since 2013. Negativity is deeply ingrained in the Irish
psyche but after 7 years of economic stagnation, Ireland's economic
cycle has changed for the better and that gloomy outlook has become
less pervasive. Ireland stands out as one of the EU's brighter success
stories.
this reads like a FG party manifesto. Meanwhile the EU continues to
attack our Corp TAX rate and the elephant in the room, BREXIT
continues to be ignored while FG have internal squabbles about who
should lead the party. Also you conveniently forgot to address the
specifics asked.
Keep the recovery going me arse .... people cannot rent in Dublin due to
the ridiculous rents charged and lack of suitable accommodation and we
stand to lose out on all those financial companies wishing to relocate
outside London because we cannot plan to have suitable office space,
accommodation etc. etc...!
Committee expected to
recommend 100m water
charges refunds to those
who have paid up
February 28 2017
An Oireachtas committee set up to examine
the future of water charges is expected to
recommend the issuing of refunds to
households that have paid their bills to date.
Committee sources last night said there was now a
growing consensus that refunds should be issued in lieu of
the option of pursuing those who had boycotted the
charges.
Members are also leaning towards the introduction of an
excessive usage charge, which will be levelled on
households found to be wasting water.
The measure is a key recommendation in the report
produced by the expert commission on water charges.
Special provisions for those on group water schemes will
also form part of the package voted on in the Dil, sources
say.
But TDs and senators remain split on key issues, including
whether the metering programme should be continued.
With the Dil due to debate the issue of water charges next
month, the work of the committee has now entered its
most critical phase.
There is growing unease within Government that failure to
strike an agreement on the issue could precipitate a
general election.
While no measures have been agreed, various sources say
they believe the issue of refunds has emerged as one of the
least contentious issues.
The committee has now sought an option paper in relation
to how best to reimburse the one million households that
have paid their bills.
It's estimated that refunds will cost the State in the region
of 100m.
Given the Dil arithmetic, the overall fate of water charges
will depend on whether Fine Gael and Fianna Fil can
reach a "compromise", according to senior sources in both
parties.
Fine Gael remains in favour of a "modest charge" for
households and has said the recommendation by the
expert commission that the State becomes the main
customer of Irish Water, rather than the household, is
doable.
But Fianna Fil is coming under pressure to soften its
position, which has changed on several occasions already.
In its submission to the expert commission, the party
proposes the abolition of charges and the funding of the
water system through general taxation.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/committee-expected-to-
recommend-100m-water-charges-refunds-to-those-who-have-paid-up-
35488713.html
Fine Gael-Fianna Fil rift over water
charges may spark election
FF bid to scrap excessive use charge ruled out by Coveney
as move would be illegal.
The state spent 89m covering the cost of the grants, which
were then scrapped when water charges were suspended.
However the Public Accounts Committee has been told this
morning that a small number of households are still claiming
the one-off grant, having not received it in 2015.
Seperately, a Junior Minister has said that there needs to be a
reasonable approach to water charges.
Joe McHugh said that the Oireachtas committee on water
needs to be given a chance to complete its work.
Fianna Fil and Fine Gael are at odds over the legality of
scrapping the charges.
Mr McHugh said there is an energy in Fine Gael to reach a
solution and avoid a possible election.
"There's always the potential, in the moniortity situation that
we're in," he said.
"We have a confidence and suppley [agreement] with Fianna
Fil and I'm sure people within Fianna Fil, who I speak to
privatey as well, that can find a solution to this empasse."
Earlier:
Fine Gael members have been warned that Ireland would be
hit with a daily 20,000 fine, backdated to 2009, if water
charges are scrapped, writes Elaine Loughlin, Political
Reporter.
Senator Paudie Coffey, who is a member of the water
committee, told party members that Ireland would be fined
more than 50m by the European Commission if they do not
implement water charges.
Ireland can use Article 9.3&Article 9.4 and stress that our
"established practice of paying for water through specific taxation
measures such as car tax and vat when legislation was introduced
to increase same after last failed attempt to introduce water
charges!
If we can fight re Apple case to EACH we can also fight re this
especially as 2/3rds TDs elected to Dail on basis of pledges to
abolish water charges...The power is supposed to be from the
people and people have spoken
Fianna Fil
publishes advice on
banning water
charges
Updated / Thursday, 2 Mar 2017 18:10
Top social icons, these are repeated at foot of article
https://www.fiannafail.ie/wp-
content/uploads/2017/03/FF-Legal-Advice-
Water.pdf
Fianna Fil
Re: Whether Ireland can reintroduce a statutory
prohibition on domestic water charges in a manner which
is compatible with its obligations under European Union
Law
Date: 6th April 2016
These advices address the question as to whether the
State (Ireland) can rescind a decision to implement
domestic water charges and reintroduce a statutory
prohibition on such charges in a manner which is
compatible with its obligations under European Union Law
and in particular the Water Framework Directive1
(hereafter referred to as the WFD).
On 23 October 2000, Directive 2000/60/EC of the
European Parliament and of the Council establishing a
framework for Community action in the field of water
policy was adopted. It was published in the Official Journal
of the European Communities on 22 December 20002 and
entered into force the same day3.
The WFD established a legal framework to protect and
restore clean water across Europe thereby ensuring its
long-term and sustainable use. It required Member States
to inter alia establish a programme of measures, including
economic instruments, to achieve its objectives. It did not,
however, require the harmonisation of the rules of
Member States concerning water.4
4. Article 9 of the WFD introduces the principle of cost
recovery for water services, including environmental and
resource costs, in accordance with the polluter pays
principle. Cost recovery is achieved through the prices
that the water service consumers have to pay to the
provider directly and through any tax, charge or levy that
is imposed on the service, and is borne by the consumer
directly or indirectly.5 Economic instruments are dealt with
in Article 9 of the WFD which is headed Recovery of costs
for water services.
1 Directive 2000/60/EC.
2 OJ L 327/1.
3 Article 25 of Water Framework Directive.
4 See Commission v Luxembourg C-32/05 and Commission
v Germany C-525/12
5 See Journal of Environmental Law, J Environmental Law
(2007) 19 (1): 29, 1 MARCH 2007, The Principle of Full Cost
Recovery in the EU-Water Framework DirectiveGenesis
and Content Full Cost Recovery in the EU-Water
Framework Directive, Herwig Unnerstall.
2
5. The term water services is defined in Article 2(38) as
all services which provide, for households, public
institutions or any economic activity: (a) abstraction,
impoundment, storage, treatment and distribution of
surface water or groundwater, (b) waste-water collection
and treatment facilities which subsequently discharge into
surface water.
6. Article 9(1) provides that Member States shall ensure by
2010 (a) that water- pricing policies provide adequate
incentives for users to use water resources efficiently and
(b) that the industrial, domestic and agricultural sectors
make an adequate contribution to the recovery of water
services.
7. The WFD does not define inter alia what is meant by
water pricing or adequate contribution. The European
Environment Agency, Assessment of cost recovery
through water pricing notes that prices in relation to
water services can be charged in many ways, namely
taxes, water tariffs and water charges.6
8. As a matter of law, Ireland has a wide discretion as to
the choice of form and method of implementing its
obligations under Article 9(1)7.
9. Article 9(4) of the WFD provides that a Member State
shall not be in breach of the Directive if it decides in
accordance with established practices not to apply the
principle of costs recovery for a given water-use activity,
where this does not compromise the purposes and the
achievement of the objectives of this Directive and where
the Member State reports the reasons for not fully
applying Article 9(1).
10. The WFD does not define inter alia what is meant by
established practices. Accordingly as a matter of law,
Ireland has a wide discretion as to the choice of form and
method of implementing its obligations under Article
9(4).
11. The application and interpretation of Article 9(4) (and
the nature of the derogation therein) is informed by key
principles which subtend Article 9 generally, such as:
6 See page 8, European Environment Agency,
Assessment of cost recovery through water pricing
Technical report No 16/2013
7See Procureur du Roi v Royer [1977] ICR 314,
Commission of the European Communities v Italian
Republic [C-92/79], Commission v Luxembourg C-32/05
and Commission v Germany (C-525/12).
3
(i) cost recovery is not necessarily applicable to all
activities and even where such activities could in and of
themselves - be liable to undermining the WFDs
objectives;
(ii) it does not mean that any lack of pricing of those
activities would necessarily jeopardize the attainment of
such objectives;
(iii) Partially suspended cost recovery is, in principle,
allowed and does not necessarily imply that attainment of
the objectives of the WFD have been jeopardised;
(iv) Member States have a very wide discretion/margin of
appreciation.
12. Ireland was obliged to bring into force the laws,
regulations and administrative provisions necessary to
comply with the WFD by 22 December 2003 at the latest.
It did so by means of the European Communities (Water
Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003).8
13. Article 9 of the WFD is implemented into Irish law by
Article 11 of S.I. No. 722 of 2003. Article 11(2) provided
that the established practices referred to in Article 9(4)
of the Water Framework Directive included the provisions
of section 12 of the Local Government (Financial
Provisions) Act 1997 (No. 29 of 1997). Section 12
prohibited domestic water charges. This prohibition was
retained by section 105(1) of the Water Services Act
2007.9
8 Iris Oifigiil, 30 January 2004.
9 In the Report from the Commission to the European
Parliament and the Council on the Implementation by
Ireland of the Directive (2012), the Commission noted
(beginning at paragraph 12.6) as follows:
Measures related to Article 9 (water pricing policies)
A narrow approach to water services is used and defined
in Water Services Act, 2007 as all services, including the
provision of water intended for human consumption, which
provide storage, treatment or distribution of surface
water, groundwater or water supplied by a water services
authority, or waste water collection, storage, treatment or
disposal.
Ireland notified to the Commission that the Irish
authorities agree to amend national measures
implementing the Water Framework Directive in a manner
that accords with the Commission interpretation of water
services. This change in policy will be reflected in the
second-cycle river basin management plans.
Water uses include households, industry and agriculture.
4
14. It appears that domestic water charges were
previously removed in Ireland not as a legal requirement
but as a response to the then current economic and
financial crisis.10 Section 28 of the Water Services Act
2013 removed the statutory prohibition on domestic water
charges. Article 11 of S.I. No. 722 of 2003 was amended
by the European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2014
(S.I. No. 350 of 2014) which substituted Article 11 with a
new article which contained no reference to the
established practices referred to in Article 9(4) of the
WFD.
15. As stated earlier, Article 9(4) of WFD provides that the
Member States may, subject to certain conditions, opt not
to proceed with the recovery of costs for a given water-
use activity, where this does not compromise the purposes
and the achievement of the objectives of that directive.
Thus partially suspended cost recovery is, in principle,
allowed and does not necessarily imply that attainment of
the objectives of the WFD have been jeopardised.
16. Ireland can thus suspend and/or remove the provision
of water charges for domestic households where such
action does not compromise the purposes and the
achievement of the objectives of the WFD. Ireland would
however, in accordance with Article 9(4), have to report
the reasons for not fully applying paragraph 1, second
sentence of Article 9(1), in the River Basin Management
Plan (RBMP). Relevant to the foregoing, it is noted that a
press release from the Department of Environment,
Community and Local Government dated 18th November
2015 stated, inter alia, that the Draft River Basin
Management Plans covering the period 2016 to 2021 will
be presented for
Cost recovery is actually only calculated for the industrial
and household sectors. However only industrial
contribution to cost recovery can be seen as adequate
(contribution of households is zero). Detailed guidance on
the calculation of cost recovery (including, inter alia,
capital, operation and maintenance costs) was provided to
all local authorities following the adoption of the
Governments water pricing policy. The policy applies to
each local authority and there are no exemptions. The
guidance also explicitly required that any environmental
costs and the costs of any borrowing or loans should be
included in the user charges.
It is reported that the polluter-pays-principle has been
used in the cost recovery process, but it is not explained
how it is used, or to what extent it is used for non-
household customers, who are actually exempted from
water pricing.
No charge is made for water to household users, so there
are no incentives in place to use water efficiently. For non-
household customers (business and agriculture), a charge
is made and metering is required. This policy (in respect of
domestic customers) has now changed. The Government
has decided that domestic water charges will be
introduced and that the charging system will be based on
metered consumption. A programme of domestic metering
is to commence later 2012.
The provisions of Article 9(4) on flexibility have not been
used.
Efforts for coordination of Article 9 issues have been made
between RBDs within Ireland, but no cooperation with the
UK in the International RBDs has been reported.
10 See page 9, European Environment Agency,
Assessment of cost recovery through water pricing
Technical report No 16/2013.
5
further public consultation at the end of 201611 which
suggests that such RBMPs are not finalised and are
capable of being revised/amended.
17. Moreover, it appears that the upgrading or repair of
the water services systems is not contingent upon or
necessarily connected to the recovery of costs under
Article 9(1) insofar as Article 9(3) provides that nothing in
Article 9 shall prevent the funding of particular preventive
or remedial measures in order to achieve the objectives of
the WFD.
18. In summary (and while these matters are expanded
upon in more detail in these advices) it is our opinion that
it is open to Ireland to seek to prohibit or suspend
domestic water charges on inter alia the following basis:
a. The WFD is a framework directive which does not seek
to achieve complete harmonisation of the rules of the
Member States concerning water;
b. Article 9 of the WFD does not per se impose the
generalised pricing obligation in respect of all activities
relating to water use;
c. The objectives pursued by the WFD do not necessarily
imply that the definition of water services contained in
Article 2(38)(a) of the WFD must be interpreted as
meaning that they subject all activities to which they refer
to the principle of recovery of costs contained in Article 9
of the WFD;
d. There is no specific requirement in Article 9 of the WFD
for cost recovery to rely on individual consumption;
e. The measures for the recovery of the costs of water
services are one instrument, among others available to
the Member States, for qualitative management of water
in order to achieve rational water use;
f. The absence of pricing for water service activities will
not necessarily jeopardise the attainment of the objectives
of the WFD;
g. Article 9(4) of the WFD provides that a Member State
shall not be in breach of the Directive if it decides in
accordance with established practices not to apply the
principle of costs recovery for a given water-use activity,
where this does not compromise the purposes and the
achievement of the objectives of
11 Said Press Release is available at:
http://www.environ.ie/water/water-quality/river-basin-
management- plans/public-consultation-significant-water-
management
6
this Directive and where the Member State reports the
reasons for not fully
applying Article 9(1);
h. The application of Article 9(4) is informed by certain
principles, including that
cost recovery is not necessarily applicable to all activities
and even where such activities could in and of
themselves - be liable to undermining the WFDs
objectives; it does not mean that any lack of pricing of
those activities would necessarily jeopardize the
attainment of such objectives; partially suspended cost
recovery is, in principle, allowed and does not necessarily
imply that attainment of the objectives of the WFD have
been jeopardised;
i. Member States have a very wide discretion in relation to
Article 9;
j. Ireland can avail of the established practice exemption
in Article 9(4) as (i) it is for Ireland to determine what an
established practice is and (ii) it was an established
practice not to have domestic water charges when the
Water
Directive was adopted.
II PRELIMINARY MATTERS
(i) The Type of Legal Act
19. The WFD is a directive and as such is a legal act of the
European Union. It is through legal acts that the European
institutions exercise the Unions competences.12
20. There are five different types of legal act. These are
regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations and
opinions. Regulations, directives and decisions are legally
binding. Regulations have general application, are binding
in their entirety and are directly applicable in all Member
States. Directives are binding, as to the result to be
achieved, upon each Member State to which they are
addressed, but leave to the national authorities the choice
of form and methods. Decisions are binding in their
entirety. A decision which specifies those to whom it is
addressed shall be binding only on them.
Recommendations and opinions are not legally binding.13
12 Part 6, Title 1, Chapter 2, Section 1 of the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union. 13 Article 288 of the
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
7
21. The freedom that Member States enjoy in relation to
the choice of form and method in the transposition of
directives is not unlimited. In Procureur du Roi v. Royer
[1977] ICR 314, the European Court of Justice held that the
freedom left to the Member States as to the choice of form
and method does not affect their obligation to choose the
most appropriate forms and methods to ensure the
effectiveness of the directives.14 In Commission of the
European Communities v. Italian Republic [C- 92/79] the
European Court of Justice held that Member States are
obliged to ensure the full and exact application of the
provisions of any directive.15
(ii) The Competency
22. The categories and competences of the European
Union that the European institutions exercise by means of
legal acts are set out in the Treaties.16 Competences may
be exclusive or shared. When the Treaties confer on the
European Union exclusive competence in a specific area,
only the Union may legislate and adopt legally binding
acts, the Member States being able to do so only if so
empowered by the Union or for the implementation of
Union acts.17 When the Treaties confer on the Union a
competence shared with the Member States in a specified
area, the Union and the Member States may legislate and
adopt legally binding acts in that area. The Member States
shall exercise their competence to the extent that the
Union has not exercised its competence. The Member
States shall again exercise their competence to the extent
that the Union has decided to cease exercising its
competence.18
23. Article 4(2)(e) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union provides that the environment is an area
of shared competence.
24. Article 191(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union provides that Union policy on the
environment is contribute to pursuit of the objectives of
preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the
environment, in prudent and rational utilisation of natural
resources. Article 191(2) provides that it is to be based on
the precautionary principle and on the principles that
preventive action should be
14 Paragraph 75
15 Paragraph 1
16 Part 1, Title 1 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union
17 Article 2(1), Part 1, Title 1 of the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union 18 Article 2(2), Part 1,
Title 1 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union
8
III
25.
26.
taken, environmental damage should, as a priority, be
rectified at source and that the polluter should pay.
THE EUROPEAN BACKGROUND
European Water policy and law is approximately 40 years
old. It was initially concerned with setting standards for
drinking water and limiting pollution.19
In 1988, the Frankfurt Ministerial Seminar on Water Policy
reviewed existing legislation and highlighted the need for
European action on ecological quality in Community
surface waters. In 1991, the Hague Ministerial Seminar on
Groundwater recognised the need for action to avoid long-
term deterioration of freshwater quality and quantity and
called for a programme of actions to be implemented by
the year 2000 aiming at sustainable management and
protection of freshwater resources. In 1992 and 1995, the
Council requested an action programme for groundwater
and a revision as part of an overall policy on freshwater
protection.
In 1995, the Council invited the Commission to come
forward with a proposal for a new framework directive
establishing the basic principles of sustainable water
policy in the European Union. In 1996 the Council, the
Committee of the Regions, the Economic and Social
Committee, and the European Parliament, all requested
the Commission to come forward with a proposal for a
Council Directive establishing a framework for a European
water policy. The Commission issued a proposal for a
Council Directive establishing a framework for a European
water policy in 1997.20
THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE WATER FRAMEWORK
DIRECTIVE
The WFD commences with fifty-three recitals setting out
the rationale for its adoption. They record inter alia:
IV
28.
27.
19 See generally Kramer, EU Environmental Law (Sweet &
Maxwell 8th edition 2015), chapter 7 20 [1997] OJ C184/20
9
that water is not a commercial product like any other
but, rather, a heritage which must be protected, defended
and treated as such;21
as set out in the Treaties, the Community policy on the
environment is to contribute to pursuit of the objectives of
preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the
environment, in prudent and rational utilisation of natural
resources, and to be based on the precautionary principle
and on the principles that preventive action should be
taken, environmental damage should, as a priority, be
rectified at source and that the polluter should pay;22
The use of economic instruments by Member States
may be appropriate as part of a programme of measures.
The principle of recovery of the costs of water services,
including environmental and resource costs associated
with damage or negative impact on the aquatic
environment should be taken into account in accordance
with, in particular, the polluter-pays principle. An economic
analysis of water services based on long-term forecasts of
supply and demand for water in the river basin district will
be necessary for this purpose.23
29. Article 1 sets out its purpose and scope.
The purpose of this Directive is to establish a framework
for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional
waters, coastal waters and groundwater which:
(a) prevents further deterioration and protects and
enhances the status of aquatic ecosystems and, with
regard to their water needs, terrestrial ecosystems and
wetlands directly depending on the aquatic ecosystems;
(b) promotes sustainable water use based on a long-term
protection of available water resources;
(c) aims at enhanced protection and improvement of the
aquatic environment, inter alia, through specific measures
for the progressive reduction of discharges, emissions and
losses of priority substances and the cessation or phasing-
out of
21 Recital 1. 22 Recital 11. 23 Recital 38.
10
discharges, emissions and losses of the priority hazardous
substances;
(d) ensures the progressive reduction of pollution of
groundwater
and prevents its further pollution, and
(e) contributes to mitigating the effects of floods and
droughts and
thereby contributes to:
the provision of the sufficient supply of good quality
surface water and groundwater as needed for
sustainable, balanced and equitable water use,
a significant reduction in pollution of groundwater,
the protection of territorial and marine waters, and
achieving the objectives of relevant international
agreements, including those which aim to prevent and
eliminate pollution of the marine environment, by
Community action under Article 16(3) to cease or phase
out discharges, emissions and losses of priority hazardous
substances, with the ultimate aim of achieving
concentrations in the marine environment near
background values for naturally occurring substances and
close to zero for man-made synthetic substances.
30. Article 2 sets out the relevant definitions. Article 2(38)
defines water services as follows:
...Water services means all services which provide, for
households, public institutions or any economic activity:
(a) abstraction, impoundment, storage, treatment and
distribution of surface water or groundwater,
(b) waste-water collection and treatment facilities which
subsequently discharge into surface water.
31. Article 5 requires Member States to carry out an
economic analysis of water use.
1. Each Member State shall ensure that for each river
basin district or for the portion of an international river
basin district falling within its territory:
an analysis of its characteristics, 11
a review of the impact of human activity on the status
of surface waters and on groundwater, and
an economic analysis of water use
is undertaken according to the technical specifications set
out in Annexes II and III and that it is completed at the
latest four years after the date of entry into force of this
Directive.
2. The analyses and reviews mentioned under paragraph 1
shall be reviewed, and if necessary updated at the latest
13 years after the date of entry into force of this Directive
and every six years thereafter.
32. Article 9 deals with the recovery of costs for water
services:
1. Member States shall take account of the principle of
recovery of the costs of water services, including
environmental and resource costs, having regard to the
economic analysis conducted according to Annex III, and
in accordance in particular with the polluter pays principle.
Member States shall ensure by 2010
that water-pricing policies provide adequate incentives
for users
to use water resources efficiently, and thereby contribute
to the
environmental objectives of this Directive,
an adequate contribution of the different water uses,
disaggregated into at least industry, households and
agriculture, to the recovery of the costs of water services,
based on the economic analysis conducted according to
Annex III and taking account of the polluter pays principle.
Member States may in so doing have regard to the social,
environmental and economic effects of the recovery as
well as the geographic and climatic conditions of the
region or regions affected.
2. Member States shall report in the river basin
management plans on the planned steps towards
implementing paragraph 1 which will contribute to
achieving the environmental objectives of this Directive
and on the contribution made by the various water uses to
the recovery of the costs of water services.
12
3. Nothing in this Article shall prevent the funding of
particular preventive or remedial measures in order to
achieve the objectives of this Directive.
4. Member States shall not be in breach of this Directive if
they decide in accordance with established practices not
to apply the provisions of paragraph 1, second sentence,
and for that purpose the relevant provisions of paragraph
2, for a given water-use activity, where this does not
compromise the purposes and the achievement of the
objectives of this Directive. Member States shall report the
reasons for not fully applying paragraph 1, second
sentence, in the river basin management plans.
33. Article 11 deals with the programme of measures
which must be undertaken by Member States to comply
with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive. It
provides inter alia:
1. Each Member State shall ensure the establishment for
each river basin district, or for the part of an international
river basin district within its territory, of a programme of
measures, taking account of the results of the analyses
required under Article 5, in order to achieve the objectives
established under Article 4. Such programmes of
measures may make reference to measures following from
legislation adopted at national level and covering the
whole of the territory of a Member State. Where
appropriate, a Member State may adopt measures
applicable to all river basin districts and/or the portions of
international river basin districts falling within its territory.
2. Each programme of measures shall include the basic
measures specified in paragraph 3 and, where necessary,
supplementary measures.
3. Basic measures are the minimum requirements to be
complied with and shall consist of:
...
(b) measures deemed appropriate for the purposes of
Article 9;
...
13
V
7. The programmes of measures shall be established at
the latest nine years after the date of entry into force of
this Directive and all the measures shall be made
operational at the latest 12 years after that date.
8. The programmes of measures shall be reviewed, and if
necessary updated at the latest 15 years after the date of
entry into force of this Directive and every six years
thereafter. Any new or revised measures established under
an updated programme shall be made operational within
three years of their establishment.
34. Annex III provides:
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
The economic analysis shall contain enough information in
sufficient detail (taking account of the costs associated
with collection of the relevant data) in order to:
(a) make the relevant calculations necessary for taking
into account under Article 9 the principle of recovery of
the costs of water services, taking account of long term
forecasts of supply and demand for water in the river
basin district and, where necessary:
estimates of the volume, prices and costs associated
with water services, and
estimates of relevant investment including forecasts of
such investments;
(b) make judgements about the most cost-effective
combination of measures in respect of water uses to be
included in the programme of measures under Article 11
based on estimates of the potential costs of such
measures.
THE INTERPRETATION OF ARTICLE 9 OF THE WFD
14
35. The decision of the Court of Justice of the European
Union (CJEU) in European Commission v. Federal Republic
of Germany (Case C-525/12)24 is significant.
36. For example, Lindhout and Van Rijswick25, of Utrecht
University, suggest in relation to the Courts judgment in
C-525/12 that Article 9 of the WFD generally provides an
ample margin of discretion as to how far Member States
apply the cost recovery principle, and that infringement
can only be established on the grounds that the absence
of cost recovery instruments will effect a failure to
achieving the ultimate quality objectives set out in Article
4 WFD and further observe that:
...The Court judgment positions cost recovery as a
practically voluntary tool to be used by Member States at
least offering the Member States a huge margin of
appreciation. It is effectively up to the Member States, to
decide in how far or even whether cost recovery is a
measure to be applied for certain water uses or services.
They are not obliged to. Even if the objectives of the
directive are not attained, that does not mean that it is a
result from a lack of pricing...26
37. Thus, it is useful to consider some general
observations arising from the judgment before considering
how the Court addressed Article 9(4) of the WFD.
38. Firstly, the WFD is a framework directive for the
protection of all water bodies and, as such, does not
provide for complete harmonization of the rules of the
Member States. Arguably, the rationale of the CJEU in this
case reduces or limits the potential effectiveness of cost
recovery in the context of the overall management of
Member States river basins. In this context (i.e. in the
management of each river basin district) while Article
11(3)(b) of the WFD prescribed that measures relating to
the recovery of the costs for water services, such as those
provided for under Article 9 of the WFD,
24 The European Commission asked the CJEU to declare
that, by excluding certain water uses that should be
regarded as water services from the recovery of costs,
Germany had failed to fulfil its obligations arising from
Article 9 of the WFD. The case arose from enforcement
proceedings instigated by the EU Commission against
Germany pursuant to art.258 of the TFEU.
25 P.E. Lindhout and HFMW van Rijswick, The
effectiveness of the principle of recovery of the costs of
water services jeopardized by the European Court of
Justice-Annotations on the Judgment in C-525/12. Journal
for European Environmental & Planning Law 12 (2015) 80-
94. The authors argue that the decision of the CJEU limits
the potential effectiveness of the cost recovery provision
and present a number of arguments that would
underscore a more obligatory requirement for Member
States to take cost recovery into account.
26 Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law 12
(2015) 80 at 87. 15
advertisement
December 13, 2016: The water committee sits for the first
time. Fianna Fil has six members on board.
Stephen Collins
12
Fianna Fil leader Michel Martin: The party sponsored the introduction of
water charges as part of the programme for government agreed with the
Green Party. File photograph: David Sleator/The Irish Times
Fianna Fils cynical approach to water charges has
demonstrated that the party is unfit for government for
the foreseeable future.
The espousal of new politics over the past year had
helped to rehabilitate Fianna Fils reputation but by
lining up with Sinn Fin and the hard left in outright
opposition to water charges it has reverted to the worst
kind of populist politics.
It is now advocating a policy that is illegal and damaging
to the environment. It would also inevitably cost the
Irish taxpayer hundreds of millions of euro in EU fines.
The partys approach casts doubt on whether the current
arrangements for keeping a minority Government in
place are worth persisting with for very much longer.
Fianna Fils approach to water charges proves it has
learned nothing from its past mistakes and raises serious
questions about whether it can be trusted with the levers
of power.
It is difficult to believe but Fianna Fil actually
sponsored the introduction of water charges as part of
the programme for government agreed with the Greens.
That programme stated: In order to fund our water
infrastructure in the years ahead we have decided to
introduce domestic water charges for households over
the next four years. This will be preceded by the roll-out
of water meters.
Fianna Fil followed that up by agreeing to implement
the EU water framework directive, thus bringing an end
to the derogation from charges which had been
negotiated in the 1990s. Finally, it committed the Irish
State to water charges as part of the EU/IMF bailout of
2010.
Z FG and FF refuse to rule out election over water
charges
Z Fianna Fil has fixed the leak, but not the drain
Z Can Simon Coveney turn water charges defeat into
victory?
Fianna Fil did not remain in power long enough to
devise a system for water charging. That fell to the Fine
Gael/Labour coalition which, after a good deal of
dithering, made a mess of its introduction.
Nonetheless, 63 per cent of households were paying
water charges by the time negotiations for government
began after last years election.
Toughened position
During those negotiations Fianna Fil suddenly
toughened its position from advocating a charging
system that would allow average households to pay little
or nothing to outright opposition to any charges.
The party has adhered to this line at the Oireachtas
committee set up to consider the water issue despite the
clear advice from Attorney General Mire Whelan and
the European Commission that Ireland would be in
breach of EU law if it follows the course that the party is
advocating.
In choosing to ignore all of the expert advice on the
desirability of a proper water-charging system and the
prospect of EU fines Fianna Fil is at one with Sinn Fin
and the Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit.
That says more about the partys lack of direction than
anything else.
If Fianna Fil has shown itself to be spineless and
irresponsible on the issue, Minister for Housing Simon
Coveney has shown himself to be the exact opposite. He
has enhanced his reputation by firmly rejecting the
Fianna Fil approach regardless of the consequences for
the future of the Government.
I am not going to take a position that is contrary to the
independent legal advice from the Attorney Generals
office. That would be blatantly irresponsible of me and I
wont do it, he said.
Coveney can be faulted for opening the door to Fianna
Fil opportunism last April when, in his eagerness to
strike a deal on the formation of Government, he
conceded that the abolition water charges could be a
matter for negotiation at an Oireachtas committee.
The subsequent confidence and supply arrangement
between Fine Gael and Fianna Fil owes more to
Coveney than anybody else. Fianna Fil may have
calculated that because the Minister had shown so much
patience in the effort to put the Government together he
would give way on water.
In adopting a tough line in defence of the national
interest he has shown a commendable willingness not to
become addicted to power at any price.
Unlike Fianna Fil, the Labour Party and the Greens
have followed a consistent and responsible line on water
charges. Former Labour minister for the environment
Alan Kelly made an impassioned defence of a coherent
water charging system in the Dil in April and his party
has adopted a similar line at the committee.
Conventional wisdom has it that Fine Gael and any other
party that defends water charges will suffer unpopularity
with the electorate but it may well be that the opposite is
case.
Torrid year
If Coveney sticks to his guns and refuses to legislate for
the abolition of water charges he will mark out Fine Gael
as a serious party of government on the side of the law-
abiding majority of citizens who were willing to pay their
water charges. After a bad election and a torrid year in
office it could even be a platform for the partys recovery.
It is also likely to do Coveney no harm in the Fine Gael
leadership election, which is about to get under way.
In all likelihood the impasse over water will be resolved
by some fudge that will kick the problem down the road
again. That would enable Fine Gael and Fianna Fil to
continue with the current Government arrangement for
a short while longer, but the controversy indicates the
clock is ticking on that arrangement.
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/fianna-fil-reverts-
to-the-worst-kind-of-populist-politics-
1.2994096#.WLfwVGyhmbI.facebook
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .main
Add your comment
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
6:20 pm
end .main
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)Link to this: Individually | In
context 1468278000, 1488463458 | Oireachtas source
I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak to the Water
Services (Amendment) Bill 2016. Like my Fianna Fil colleagues,
I support the Bill. I will not discuss the various legal clarifications
that are outstanding at this time. As a result of the Bill which
reflects the first part of Fianna Fil's agreement to facilitate a
minority Government, water charges will be suspended
immediately. I thank the Minister for outlining the timeframe the
other day. The suspension period will begin on 1 July, when the
work of the commission will kick in. We should receive a report
on how it is going in December. The special Oireachtas committee
will report back in March and the Dil will subsequently vote on
its recommendations. I understand that if the committee has not
fully completed its work, the Minister can determine that the
timeframe available to it needs to be expanded.
My colleague, Deputy Dara Calleary, has spoken really well about
rural schemes and I do not need to rehash what has been said.
One of the reasons we as a party did not support water charges
in the very beginning was that we did not believe people should
pay for water that was not drinkable. Like many other Deputies, I
have experience of this in my home area of east Galway. I live in
Portumna where the water is chlorinated on a regular basis
because its quality is not great. Eight miles out the road in
Woodford there are lead pipes with asbestos connections which
are regularly broken. The people of Woodford have waited 15
years for these pipes and asbestos connections to be improved.
The footpaths have not been repaired during that time. It was
only last year, following the establishment of Irish Water, that
they realised they would never have the road repaired because
they had gone from No. 11 to No. 33 on the waiting list. I refer
to Main Street in Woodford. Although funding was subsequently
sought and - fair play to Galway County Council and the
Department - the road was repaired, I suggest that in itself was a
signal that the pipes were not going to be repaired.
There are other issues with Irish Water in Loughrea, 20 km away.
When rain falls, the back gardens of houses in the Coscorrig
estate are completely flooded. I suggest this is happening
continuously because no one in Irish Water is answerable. We are
not feeling its funding coming to us. We could not feel the value
of the Irish Water infrastructure because we believed it was a
quango. In fact, it was more about public relations and the
propaganda of selling its image than it was about giving benefits
to people on the ground. The people of Loughrea are still subject
to a boil water notice. We cannot get answers when we ask when
they will come off it. This issue is having an impact not only on
the people of Loughrea but also on the people of Craughwell,
further into the county, who are included in the same water
scheme. I am trying to build a picture to show the Minister how
Irish Water has failed the people of east Galway. I am not just
talking about the rural schemes in the villages; I am also talking
about towns. Portumna, Woodford, Loughrea and Craughwell
have all been affected. People were paying their water charges all
the while, even though they felt really reluctant to do so because
they were receiving such a poor service. The water was not
drinkable and subject to a boil water notice. The authorities in
Portumna cannot apply for a blue flag because there is no reason
to believe the water supply in the locality will be of sufficient
quality two years in a row.
The Minister might say the problems I have mentioned are not all
of Irish Water's doing, but I suggest they can be attributed to its
failure to put in place an overarching umbrella to support us.
When I sat on Galway County Council, we struggled to get clear-
cut answers from representatives of Irish Water. When they came
before us, they were unable to give us definite answers. They
could not give a timeframe for delivery, for example. Everything
needs to be subject to time management. People need to receive
feedback, but we were not getting the relevant feedback. Both
parties have agreed to this legislation which will send this issue
out to a commission in order that people can talk about it. We
need to find a deliverable solution that will ensure the
infrastructure - the pipes and personnel, etc. - will be in place
before people on the ground are ever asked to pay water charges
again. There is a need for a a timeframe for anything that needs
to be delivered. People do not want to pay for water that they
cannot drink. They should not have to go down the road to
SuperValu or Aldi to buy water, while paying water charges at the
same time. I do not want to have to represent people in such
circumstances. I do not believe we should have to pay for water
if we cannot drink it. I do not have to say anything more than
that. I welcome the Bill and look forward to what will come out of
the report.
end .main
Add your comment
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)Link to this: Individually |
In context 1468278000, 1488463458 | Oireachtas source
I welcome the opportunity to speak to this important legislation.
Some Members of the Dil would have suggested it could never
be facilitated. We would not be discussing it if it were not for the
composition of this Dil. I compliment my colleague, Deputy
Barry Cowen, and the other members of the Fianna Fil
negotiating team for ensuring this legislation would be debated in
the Dil and part of the arrangement for facilitating a minority
Government.
I know that representatives of Sinn Fin like to hop up and down.
They are masters of the art of expressing sheer indignation.
When they are representing people's views, they show how
outraged they are about this, that and the other. They put
proposals before the Dil in its early stages during Private
Members' business as part of an effort to claim some political
credit, even though they absented themselves in having any
hand, act or part in the negotiations and talks on the formation
of a Government. They did not consider supporting a minority
Fine Gael Government or a minority Fianna Fil Government.
They did not consider abstaining to enable some formation to
come together in the national interest. They did not feel a duty to
alleviate the need to return to the country in a second general
election.
This legislation will suspend water charges for a nine-month
period.
From 1 July, anyone who has been paying water charges will not
have to pay any for nine months. It will afford an opportunity for
all Members, after the commission has investigated and reported
back, to debate fully where we go from here. My party has stated
it is opposed to water charges, like the majority of Members of
the Dil. If the majority stay true to their commitment, water
charges will not be reintroduced.
How did we reach this point? As previous speakers said, we
reached it because of the manner in which the previous
Government - initially the then Minister and now European
Commissioner, Phil Hogan, and subsequently Deputy Alan Kelly -
went about the creation and establishment of Irish Water. It was
an unbelievable series of disasters. What we saw was possibly
the worst ever introduction and implementation of a public policy
with U-turn after U-turn. First, PPS numbers were to be
mandatory, with the claim that there was no way it could be done
without them, but, lo and behold, that was changed. Second, a
fee structure was put in place which, again, could not be
changed, but, lo and behold, a conservation grant was
introduced. In itself, the grant was the biggest con job of all
times. Regardless of whether somebody paid for water or
whether they used 10 litres a week or 110 litres a day, everyone
received the same amount under the heading of conservation
grant. Like many of my colleagues, I saw old age pensioners who
did not have the wherewithal to face another tax wondering how
they would pay their water charges. The previous Government
gave itself much wriggle room and leeway to change and modify
policy to suit the political reality at the time, yet no leeway or
concession was given to some elderly people who had failed to
apply for the conservation grant owing to their age, or who were
not able apply online because they had no family support, or who
were afraid to deal with Irish Water in any manner or means.
With a deadline set in stone, they missed out on the 100 grant.
No leeway was given to them, but there was plenty for the
Government as it moved from crisis to crisis when establishing
Irish Water.
Irish Water was established on the premise that it would be able
to borrow off balance sheet and, accordingly, bring forward a
large-scale investment programme in water infrastructure around
the country. That was right as a large investment is needed in
water infrastructure. However, the Government went about
spending 500 million on water meters, which are not used, and
over 100 million on consultants to set up Irish Water. In its first
year of operation Irish Water lost 22 million. I do not know how
losing 22 million could be considered to be good practice in
investing in large-scale development, but I suppose it is down to
how the original legislation establishing Irish Water was
introduced in the Dil. In that particular week I remember that
we on this side of the House were ridiculed for merely
questioning the time given to debate the legislation. We were
shot down and it was deemed that the debate on the Bill would
be guillotined. Less than three hours were given to debate one of
the most important Bills to pass through the last Dil. By virtue
of the fact that it went from having a majority of 30 seats to
being 30 short, I hope and expect the Government realises that
those on the Opposition benches have ideas and an important
role to play in the scrutiny of legislation. That explains why this
legislation is being debated in the Dil now.
It is disingenuous when one sees Labour Party Members
introducing legislation similar to that against which they actually
voted in the previous Seanad. Fianna Fil brought forward
legislation in the Seanad to ensure Irish Water would always
remain a public utility. At the time the Labour Party Members of
the Seanad voted against it, claiming it was not needed. It is
amazing how a person's opinion can change when he or she
moves from the Government to the Opposition benches. Just like
Deputy Alan Kelly when Minister for the Environment, Community
and Local Government tried to fool the electorate and failed, I do
not believe they will be fooled by the Labour Partys most recent
proposals.
Under the Water Services Act 2007, if there is a problem with or
a leak from public sewerage under a public roadway or footpath,
it is the responsibility of Irish Water. Before that, it was down to
the local authority to deal with it. Whether it was on purpose or
an error in the 2007 Act, a problem has emerged with public
sewerage in older housing estates. For example, many local
authority houses on Green Road, in OGrowney Drive and St.
Bridgets Terrace in Mullingar have been bought out. To keep
costs down when such estates were being built, the sewer pipes
were not placed along the main road or the back lane. Instead,
they were placed right at the back door of the houses.
Accordingly, if there is a blockage in the sewer pipes, it is
deemed to be the house owner's responsibility, even though it is
actually a public sewer. These home owners are being penalised
as Irish Water will not correct the problem. This needs to be
examined. It is not the house owner's fault that when the houses
were constructed, the pipes were not placed along the main road
or in a public space.
Again today we heard the European Union's opinion on whether
we can have derogation in the case of Irish Water.
Sometimes, when one hears the European Union coming out on
cases such as this, it seems like it is meddling in the national
affairs of a particular country. For all of the positives which were
debated at length in this House only yesterday in the light of
Brexit, when we hear the European Union stating it will
determine whether we can implement the will of the people
through this legislation, we do not have to wonder why some
people are fed up with it or why some actually voted in the way
they did in the recent referendum in the United Kingdom.
On the whole, this is welcome legislation. As I said, it gives an
opportunity to suspend water charges for a period of nine
months, during which time we will have an opportunity to
consider a funding model that is fair and equitable and that will
not place an unnecessary financial burden or hardship on people.
Let us remember the way the original legislation was introduced.
It was introduced on the basis that a person in receipt of an old
age non-contributory pension of 230 a week who was struggling
to survive was to pay the exact same annual amount in water
charges as someone like me. The Minister may disagree, but that
is the case. I am thinking of an old age pensioner living alone in
a local authority house who is receiving 230 a week and paying
rent, electricity bills and prescription charges. That person simply
could not survive. The outgoing Government in its introduction of
water charges never once took account of a person's ability to
pay or thought of the person who could not afford further
charges, who was living hand to mouth and waiting for Friday to
arrive every week in order to collect his or her old age pension.
This is not made up; it is factual. It is welcome that from 1 July
water charges will be suspended.
I wish the commission well in its deliberations and coming
forward with proposals that will ensure we can raise the
necessary funding to make the investment needed in towns and
villages across my constituency and in every other in order that
we can see them develop and grow. At the same time, the
charges must not be put on the backs of ordinary, decent
working people.
end .main
Add your comment
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
7:40 pm
end .main
end .sidebar
end .stripe-*
http://www.tipperarycoco.ie/water-services/water-and-
waste-water-charges
http://www.tipperarycoco.ie/sites/default/files/Informati
on%20Sheet%20for%20Plumbers%20re%20the
%20Framework%20for%20Plumbing%20Services%20for
%20Local%20Authorities.pdf
European political framework for environmental co ... and
the European Community signed ... The regulations are
designed to protect water
1. General Environmental Matters
2. ESB/CVI Community Environment Awards 2003
2. The State Were In Resource Pack
3. ENFO Workshop on Tour
3. Green Scene at Dublin Zoo
4. Green-Schools - a continuing success story
4. Scoileanna Glasa scal a bhfuil ag ir fs leis
5. New Fairtrade Mark
5. Eco-Unesco Young Environmentalist Awards 2003
6. Gradaim Comhshaolaithe ga ECO-UNESCO 2003
7. New Enterprise Ireland Environmental Website
7. Eighth VSI Work Camp at NEEC
8. NEEC and An Taisce Move Mountain (to ENFO)
8. Leaping into Action for a Better Dunlaoghaire-
Rathdown
2. Water Quality
9. Dublin Bay Project
10. European Blue Flag Awards 2003
10. Birdwatch Ireland Water Seminar 2003
11. Seiminer Uisce Lucht Faire an na hireann
11. National Water Conservation Programme
12. Dublin Region Water Conservation
14. South Eastern River Basin Management Programme
15. Eastern River Basin Management Programme
4. Planning
20. Tidy Towns Competition 2003
20. City Neighbourhoods Competition 2003
21. Comrtas Comharsanachta Cathrach 2003
22. Urban and Village Renewal
5. Natural Heritage
23. National Tree Week 2003
23. Seachtain Nisinta na gCrann
24. Grading of Monuments Discussion Document
6. Waste Management
25. Environment Fund for 2003
25. Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2003
27. WEEE Taskforce Launched
27. New European Standard for Recycled Aggregates Use
7. EU and International Environmental
Matters
28. Environment Council
28. Commission on Sustainable Development
29. 5th Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference
30. World Environment Day
31. New EU Eco-label for Tourist Accommodation
31. EU LIFE-Environment Programme 2004
Appendices
Appendix 1: Green Flag Schools 2003
Appendix 2: Young Environmentalist Awards 2003
Appendix 3: Blue Flag Awards 2003
Appendix 4: Urban and Village Renewal Allocations
2003
Appendix 5: Anti-Litter Enforcement Statistics 2002
Addenda to Appendix 7 of Environment Bulletin
Issue 55
Calendar of Events
Recent Publications
Websites
* Natural Environment
* Heritage
* Community Development, and
* Youth/Education Projects.
Further information:
Orla Ryan or Claire Guiney, WHPR, 5 Ely Place, Dublin 2.
tel: 01.669 0030 or 087.234 2416 fax: 01.669 0039
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Geraldine Ruane, Environmental Protection Agency,
Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford.
tel: 053.60633 fax: 053.60699
e-mail: [email protected]
* Waterford
- Waterford, Dungarvan and Tramore
* Wexford
- Wexford, Enniscorthy and Gorey
* Tipperary
- Thurles, Templemore and Roscrea
* Offaly
- Birr, Tullamore and Clara
* Westmeath
- Athlone
* Galway
- Galway City, Athenry and Ballinasloe
* Mayo
- Castlebar, Westport, Newport,Belmullet,
Killala and Ballina
Further information:
Brendan Keenan, ENFO - the Environmental Information
Service, 17 St. Andrew Street, Dublin 2.
tel: 01.888 3925 fax: 01.888 3947
e-mail: [email protected]
Green-Schools - a continuing success story
The number of Irish schools receiving the Green Flag
award for their environmental management and
awareness continues to grow rapidly. In this, the 6th year
of the programme:
Further information:
Jane Helps, Green-Schools Manager, Environmental
Education Unit, An Taisce, Tailors Hall, Back Lane, Dublin 8
tel: 01.707 7067 fax: 01.454 1802
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.antaisce.org or www.eco-schools.org
Tuilleadh Eolais:
Jane Helps, Bainisteoir Scoileanna Glasa, An tAonad
Oideachais Comhshaoil, An Taisce, Halla an Tillira, Back
Lane, Baile tha Cliath 8.
Teil: 01 707 7067 Faics: 01 454 1802
r-phost: [email protected]
lithren grasin: www.antaisce.org n www.eco-
schools.org
* school presentations
* restaurant canvassing
* church gate promotions
* solidarity group meetings
* coffee mornings
* Fairtrade cookery demonstrations
* dinner parties
* product sampling, and
* Fairtrade fairs.
Further information:
Fairtrade Mark Ireland, Carmichael House, North Brunswick
Street, Dublin 7.
tel/fax: 01.475 3515
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.fairtrade.ie
Further information:
Elaine Nevin, National Director or Rowan Oberman,
Programme Coordinator, ECO-UNESCO, 26 Clare Street,
Dublin 2.
tel: 01. 662 5491 fax: 01.662 5493
e-mail: [email protected]
Tuilleadh Eolais:
Elaine Nevin, Stirthir Nisinta n Rowan Oberman,
Comh-ordnir Clr, ECO-UNESCO, 26 Clare Street, Baile
tha Cliath 2.
teil: 01 662 5491 Faics: 01 662 5493
r-phost: [email protected]
Further information:
Gerry Wrynn, Environment Unit, Dept. of Enterprise, Trade
& Employment, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
tel: 01.631 2229 fax: 01.631 2823
e-mail: [email protected]
Eighth VSI Workcamp at NEEC
In June 2003, the National Environmental Education Centre
hosted the eighth Voluntary Services International (VSI)
workcamp in Knocksink Wood National Nature Reserve to
continue the valuable practical conservation work that has
so far been accomplished in this woodland reserve.
Further information:
Billy Flynn, National Environmental Education Centre,
Knocksink Wood National Nature Reserve, Enniskerry,
Co. Wicklow.
tel: 01 286 6609 fax: 01 286 6610
e-mail: [email protected]
or
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Environment Office, County Hall,
Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
tel: 01.205 4700 fax: 01.230 0125
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.dlrcoco.ie
2. water quality
Further information:
Mr. Battie White, Project Engineer, Dublin City Council, 68-
71 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8.
Tel: 01.672 2069 tel: 01.679 0809
e-mail: [email protected]
* water quality
Further information:
Lisa Clifford, Water Quality Section
tel: 01.888 2468 fax: 01.888 2994
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Christine Croton, BirdWatch Ireland, Midlands Office,
Crank House, Banagher, Co. Offaly.
tel: 0509.51676 fax: 0509.51951
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Jack Golden, Water Services Section, Department of the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Floor 2,
Block 1, Irish Life Centre, Dublin 1.
tel: 01.888 2106 fax: 01.888 2687
e-mail: [email protected]
* Water Conservation
* Network Rehabilitation
* New Source Development
* Demand Management
* Capital Investment Programme
Water Conservation
The E47 million Dublin Region Water Conservation Project
has reduced leakage in the distribution network from
42.5% to 28%. This involved a the two-year construction
phase that finished in September 2000. It was followed by
a two-year maintenance phase to ensure the gains made
were sustained and a further reduction in leakage was
made by local authority staff during this phase.
Network Rehabilitation
Of the 7,200kms of water mains in the region, over
800kms are in immediate need of replacement. A
Regional Rehabilitation Project, commencing procurement
in 2003, is designed to replace a significant portion of
these mains over a 3-5 year period.
Mr. Martin Cullen announced an allocation of E276m for
the first round of a new nationwide conservation
programme in May 2003 of which E118m will be spent
replacing old water mains in the Dublin Region. Until such
time as the rehabilitation of the network is substantially
under way, the City will continue to have vulnerability in
winter periods, when frost action affects the network.
Progress has been made on a fast track project to boost
production in 2003 following approval from the DEHLG.
Demand Management
In order to complement the other strategic actions an
active strategy of Demand Management is necessary to
ensure that drinking water is not wasted. This includes
Summary
The active delivery of the water investment strategy has
resulted in major improvements to the level of service
Further information:
Tom Leahy, Deputy City Engineer, Dublin City Council, 68-
71 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8.
tel: 01.672 2020 / 086-8150551
e-mail: [email protected]
South Eastern River Basin Management Project
In April 2002, the South Eastern River Basin Management
Project (SERBMP) was initiated. This is the first national
River Basin Management Project to be established. These
initiatives are an integral part of EU Water Framework
Directive(WFD) (2000/60/EC) implementation in Ireland.
They are being led by local authorities and sponsored by
the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local
Government under the National Development Plan.
Further information:
Colin Byrne (Project Co-ordinator)
[email protected]
http://www.serbd.com
The closing date for responses was 1 June, 2003. The full
text of this paper is also available on the at website
www.heritagecouncil.ie. Queries and requests for hard
copies should be addressed to: Dr Beatrice Kelly, The
Heritage Council, Rothe House, Kilkenny, tel: 056.70777,
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Andy Bogie, Water Quality Section
tel: 01.888 2317 fax: 01.888 2994
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Lisa Clifford, Water Quality Section,
tel: 01.888 2648 fax: 01.888 2994
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Noel Sheahan, Air/Climate Section.
tel: 01.888 2472 fax: 01.888 2014
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Mr Michael Purcell, Renewable Energy Division,
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural
Resources, Setanta Centre, Nassau Street, Dublin 2.
tel: 01.604 1682 fax: 01.604 1274
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Noel Sheahan, Air/Climate Section.
tel: 01.888 2472 fax: 01.888 2014
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Sustainable Energy Ireland, Renewable Energy Information
Office, Shinagh House, Bandon, Co Cork.
tel: 023.42193. fax: 023.29154
e-mail: [email protected] website: www.sei.ie
Further information:
John McDermott, Air/Climate Section.
tel: 01.888 2373 fax: 01.888 2014
e-mail: [email protected]
L Saor Charranna na hEorpa 2003
Ar an 17 Aibren, 2003 scrobh Martin Cullen TD, an tAire
Comhshaoil, Oidreachta agus Rialtas itiil chuig gach
dars itiil chun a chur in il dibh go nglacfaidh ire
pirt ars i L Saor Charranna an 22 Men Fmhair i
mbliana agus freisin chun tacaocht a fhil don imeacht
seo a bhfuil ire pirteach inti 2000.
Tuilleadh Eolais:
John mcDermott, Roinn Aer/Aerid
teil: 01 888 2473 Faics: 01 888 2014
r-phost: [email protected]
4. Planning
Further information:
Ger Norton, Tidy Towns Unit.
tel: 01.888 2300 fax: 01.888 2286
e-mail: [email protected]
* Best Shopfront
Further information:
Dave McLoughlin, Tidy Towns Section.
tel: Lo call 1890 20 20 21
website: www.tidytowns.ie and your City Council.
* Sean-Fhoirgneamh is fearr
Tuilleadh Eolais:
Dave McLoughlin, Roinn na mBailte Slachtmhara
Teil: Uimhir Glaoch itiil 1890 20 20 21
Lithren Grasin: www.tidytowns.ie
Agus do Chomhairle Catharach.
Further information:
Matt McLoughlin, Urban and Village Development.
tel: 01.888 2505 fax: 01.888 2286
e-mail: [email protected]
5. Natural Heritage
This years theme was clean air - grow your share and it
reflects the growing concern about global warming which
is caused by the build up of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the
atmosphere. This build up is contributing to climate
change. Planting more trees and forests is one of a
number of options to lower CO2 emissions.
Further information:
Dr. Marian Coll, Director, Tree Council of Ireland, The Park,
Cabinteely, Dublin 18.
Tel: 01.284 9211 fax: 01.284 9197
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.treecouncil.ie
Further information:
The Heritage Council, Rothe House, Kilkenny
tel: 056.70777 fax: 056 70788
e-mail: [email protected]
6. Waste Management
Further information:
Rachel Dunn, Waste Infrastructure & Regulation.
tel: 01.888 2600 fax: 01.888 2014
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Terry Sheridan, Waste Prevention and Recovery Section.
tel: 01.888 2440 fax: 01.888 2014
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Sen O'Silleabhin, Waste Prevention & Recovery
Section.
tel: 01.888 2741 fax: 01.888 2994
e-mail:sean_o'[email protected]
Further information:
Marie Whelan, Executive to National Construction &
Demolition Waste Council, Construction Federation,
Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6.
tel: 01.406 6066 fax: 01.496 6953
e-mail: www.cif.ie
Environment Council
On 4 March 2003, the Environment Council met in Brussels
under the Greek Presidency.
Further information:
Bart Felle, Environment International.
tel: 01.888 2603 fax: 01.888 2696
e-mail: [email protected]
* human settlements.
Further information:
Rosaleen Keane, Environment International Section.
tel: 01.888 2445 fax: 01.888 2014
e-mail: [email protected]
Further information:
Rosaleen Keane, Environment International Section.
tel: 01.888 2445 fax: 01.888 2014
e-mail: [email protected]
* Hotels
* B & Bs
* Holiday dwellings
* Youth hostels
http://www.eco-label-tourism.com/frameset/frameset.html
Further information:
National Standards Authority of Ireland, Forfas, Glasnevin,
Dublin 9.
tel: 01.807 3889 fax: 01.807 3838
Further information:
John Kiernan / Deirdre Kearney,
tel: 01.888 2906 fax: 01.888 2495
e-mail: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Fintan O Toole,Time to
make Attorney General
answerable for actions
A common thread is the pretence the AG is a special
creature above politics
Tue, Nov 10, 2015, 01:00
Fintan O'Toole
Attorney General Mire Whelan: The Fennelly report raised very serious
questions about her judgment. She gave seriously inconsistent evidence to
the inquiry. Photograph: Dara Mac Dnaill
<ahref="https://secserv.adtech.de/adlink|3.0|826.0|6282473|0|
170|ADTECH;loc=300;alias=;cookie=info;kvinline=1"
target="_blank"target="_blank"><img
src="https://secserv.adtech.de/adserv|3.0|826.0|6282473|0|170|
ADTECH;loc=300;alias=;cookie=info;kvinline=1"
border="0"></a>
A Dil committee would take her through the events and
her reaction to them and give her the opportunity to
explain herself. She might, after all, have had very good
reasons for her different views, and changing ones mind
is not inherently ignoble. But the very suggestion that
this might happen was treated like a proposal for an orgy
in a cathedral.
Pomposity
A fug of pomposity surrounds the office of Attorney
General . The courts call the AG a great officer of State
and an independent constitutional officer. But in
practice, the system does nothing to make the AG really
and truly independent of politics. We end up with the
worst of both worlds a highly political office sealed off
by a fiction of complete political independence. The AG
cant answer questions because that would threaten an
independence the role does not in fact have.
Unaccountable
We know from repeated experience that unaccountable
power makes for bad governance. We see bad
governance at work in the Fennelly report and we see it
again in the fiasco of the Siteserv inquiry. A common
thread is the pompous pretence that the AG is a special
creature, above politics and above accountability. This
new debacle must be a catalyst for legislation to make
the AG answerable for her actions. Or would that have
trouble getting past the AG as well?
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/fintan-o-toole-time-to-make-
attorney-general-answerable-for-actions-1.2423493
Cliff Taylor
Harry McGee
Fianna Fil leader Michel Martin: The party reverting to water being paid for
out of general taxation could be seen as politically opportunistic and seriously
out of step with its own voters. Photograph: Eric Luke
Its good to see Fianna Fil has comprehensively
addressed the leakage problem. Seven years after agreeing
in principle to the introduction of water charges and
meters, and after leaking hundreds of thousands of votes
during the recession, it has comprehensively fixed the
problem with a nakedly populist U-bend.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/fianna-fil-has-
fixed-the-leak-but-not-the-drain-1.2994337?
mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=http%3A%2F
%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Ffianna-f
%25C3%25A1il-has-fixed-the-leak-but-not-the-drain-
1.2994337
COVENEY HIDING BEHIND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
European Commission's
response on water charges
'deliberately vague' - MEP
Lynn Boylan
A response from the Commission has suggested that Ireland
cannot abolish charges
NEWS
Dublin Sinn Fin MEP Lynn Boylan says legal advice she
has has received confirms Irish Water charges can be
scrapped.
This claim contradicts the view of the European Commission,
which states that the charges cannot be removed.
Speaking from Leinster House, Ms Boylan said: "The legal
opinion that I have received has confirmed what we have been
saying all along, that the abolition of water charges would not
contravene the water framework directive providing that
Ireland can meet the objectives of the directive which is about
the conservation and protection water.
"I welcome Fianna Fils new found commitment to scrap
water charges. Coming from the architects of water charges
this is a major and welcome departure from Fianna Fil.
"The majority of TDs elected to the Dil in February were
elected on anti-water charges mandates. Now that Fianna Fil
have accepted this there is a clear majority in favour of
scrapping water charges.
"The expert commission is now redundant. It should be
scrapped and the issue should be dealt with by the Dil."
The legal advice, from Matthias Kelly QC and published by Ms
Boylan, is summarised as saying: "Member States were free
to determine, on the basis of an economic analysis, the
measures to be adopted for the purposes of the application of
the principle of recovery of costs.
"How the Directive was to be implemented was left to the
Member State, so long as the steps taken did not impede or
compromise the objectives of the Directive.
"There is a wide margin of appreciation. The Directive
explicitly states that a Member State may have regard to its
own economic and social considerations in deciding upon
costs recovery."
"Shamelessly backtracking"
Fianna Fil has reportedly proposed that the water system be
paid for through general taxation and that the principle of
charging for usage should be permanently abolished.
The Irish Times says the party made the proposals in a
statement to the Expert Commission on Domestic Public
Water Services on how water services should be funded.
Its submission says the entire system should be funded
through general taxation by way of direct subvention from the
exchequer.
This marks a move away from its previous position, that
charges should only be suspended for nine months.
While Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said: "Fianna Fils u-
turn on the issue of water charges is a return to populist
economics, which will cost us all dearly in the end.
CAW also operates a new water treatment facility in Sligo and is tendering
for further contracts under the government's investment programme for
water and sewage services. In 2005, CAW was awarded the Galway Non-
Domestic Metering Project Contract.
Most businesses have been paying fixed charges for water for a number
of years, usually referred to as water rates, but many smaller non-domestic
users and farms have escaped the net until now.
The last fixed-charge bills are being issued by Celtic Anglian Water in
conjunction with Galway Co. Council and this Athenry-based company will
be taking charge of all metering and bill services on behalf of Galway Co.
Council. The council will continue to be responsible for water supply,
pressure and water quality.
Co. Council Director of Service Jim Cullen explained that up to now a non-
domestic user such as a hotel would pay a fixed charge for water no matter
how much was used. From January 1st next this business will be metered
and billed according to the volume used.
This he explained was a fairer method of paying for the service and is in
line with EU policy.
Very interesting bit of flawed logic in that last sentence as it is not water
itself that costs money but rather the infrastructure, which is used by
consumers equally. Therefore the costs, if any, should be borne equally by
all consumers. I had assumed, wrongly it seems, that that is where our
taxes went. Another double taxation anyone?
Schools and Farms, to take two examples, are high users, which under
the user pays principle would see their costs rocket. The social effect of
this policy does not appear to have been a factor in the decision making
process. As will become painfully apparent in a few short years when the
domestic consumer is expected to pay for their water too, as per the
European Water Framework Directive. And you thought the bin tax was
unpopular!
Dick Roche seems unlikely to discuss the issue of water privatisation for
the domestic consumer before the next election. For a party hanging on by
a thread, that is probably a wise move. They have already angered their
voter base, the farming community, with these charges. The Roscommon
Herald on August 9th carried a story called IFA meets Minister Roche on
water charges issue. The rocky road ahead for Fianna Fail was apparent
in the opening paragraph
IFA recently met the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dick Roche, to
inform him of the deep anger among farmers in the county at the significant
costs which will result from new water charging policies.
Roscommon IFA County Executive called on all farmers in the county not
to pay any water charges until Minister Roche clarified the situation. And
so it begins.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?E3DC13ABD
On Tuesday 25th April, in a Dail Debate, Mr. Roche had this to say
Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government the position on water charges for national schools; if these
rates are in line with policy governing this area; the way in which the
standard rate is calculated; if the rates increase with the size of the school;
and if he will make a statement on the matter?
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche):
Local authorities are required to recover the cost of providing water
services from the users of these services, with the exception of
householders. The cost of providing water services to the non-domestic
sector should be fully recovered by local authorities by means of a meter-
based volumetric charge. While current arrangements for schools may, as
with other non-domestic users, be based on fixed water services charges,
local authorities are moving towards the metering of all non-domestic water
use.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?S54D12ABD
Just three short days later on the 28th April, IBEC had this to say on the
issue of water charges.
Businesses may be forced to pay higher charges to local authorities if the
government fails to reform local government
Business and employers group IBEC issued the warning after Minister for
Environment Dick Roche TD refused to implement key recommendations
of the Indecon Report into local authority funding published last month -
such as introducing domestic water charges and imposing a new tax on
non-principal private residences.
Many of the services provided by local government were essential to the
functioning of all sectors of society, but it was only business which is
picking up the bill.
http://www.techcentral.ie/small_business/Higher_charges/
I tend to distrust the use of words like should as it implies that maybe they
wont and he knows it and is covering his ass.
So IBEC are spearheading the charge (no pun intended) for domestic
water charges on the basis of fairness. Its damaging to the economy, be
afraid be very afraid.
Who will you be paying for your water? Most likely a company called Celtic
Anglian Water. As mentioned above, they are a joint venture between NTR
and Anglian Water.
http://www.caw.ie/
Back in 2001, NTR acquired the majority shareholding in Celtic Utilities Ltd.
http://www.rte.ie/business/2001/0815/ntr.html
The Indo's business section has this advice for would be investors... "Well,
although Ireland is unique amongst EU countries in that it doesn't charge
consumers for domestic water, NTR does have a long-term play through
Celtic Anglian Water, its partnership with Anglian Water.
Stock in the UK water utilities is like hen's teeth at the moment, with a
number of them the subject of bidding wars.
Water may forever be free in this fair isle, but if it ever becomes metered, I
know which company will be in with a fair chance of doing the billing."
http://www.unison.ie/business/stories.php3?ca=80&si=1700226
- that water pricing policies provide adequate incentives for users to use
water resources efficiently, and thereby contribute to the environmental
objectives of this Directive,
(a) make the relevant calculations necessary for taking into account under
Article 9 the principle of recovery of the costs of water services, taking
account of long term forecasts of supply and demand for water in the river
basin district and, where necessary:
- estimates of the volume, prices and costs associated with water services,
and
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2
014/documents/peti/cm/943/943020/943020en.p
df
IRELAND Accompanying the document
Communication from the Commission to the
European Parliament, the Council, the European
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee
of the Regions The EU Environmental
Implementation Review 3 march 2017
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/PDF/?
uri=CELEX:52017SC0060&from=EN
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ROAD TRANSPORT) (WORKING CONDITIONS
AND ROAD SAFETY) REGULATIONS 2008
The Government has been beaten in the first vote held by the
Committee that will decide the future of water services.
Fine Gael was beaten in a vote on whether to hear evidence
from the Right2Water group.
But opposition TDs grouped together and ensured that the
witnesses will be heard next Tuesday, in a 12-6 vote.
The vote provides the first indication of the minority
Government's weakened position on the committee.
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/government-beaten-in-
vote-over-future-of-water-services-775069.html
Ok folks it's that time again , one of our own , who along
with our group was the first community group to stop the
water meters with the residents of Ashbrook Togher , John
has been involved ever since , there is a not a spot in this
city or county where water meters have been successfully
stopped where John has not played a part . He needs your
support now . Come along and watch your tax money
been wasted again , Even tho the metering program is to
be stopped the men and women who dared stand up
to the system must be made examples of
Dr Chad Staddon
Study's Abstract
"At the present time 30% of UK households nationwide are on
water meters and household consumption stands at approximately
150 litres/person/day (lpd), slightly more than Western European
averages, but significantly less than North American or even
Australian levels. Largely out of concern for the long-term effects
of climate change on water supply, but also out of the notion that
metering is the fairest way to pay, the UK government is currently
trying to build a consensus around the idea of legislating
compulsory metering for the nations 28 million households.
However, there is much confusion as to the actual objectives to be
served by such a policy, estimated to cost in excess of 3 billion.
This paper presents the best available current research on water
metering around the world, with a special emphasis on European,
North American and Commonwealth comparator nations. In
summary, the research suggests that there is little evidence that
compulsory universal metering can achieve either the water
conservation or social equity goals articulated by the government.
The author concludes that policymakers need to think much more
carefully about metering technologies and the purposes they are
intended to serve."
http://www.heednet.info/metering-defraHEEDnet.pdf
So far 58% of households have had meters put in place but several hundred
thousand properties remain to be linked
Irish Water should stop installing water meters in
homes, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER)
has declared, warning that the cost of completion will
cripple efforts to improve water quality and supply.
In a submission to an Oireachtas committee which is
investigating options, the CER Irelands water
regulator said finishing the programme was not a
priority.
So far 58 per cent of households have had meters put in
place the installation efforts have been strongly
opposed in some places but several hundred thousand
properties remain to be linked. No money has been put
in Irish Waters 2017/18 capital budget to finish the
work.
If a decision was taken to complete further metering
then either significant additional funding would have to
be made available or a significant level of necessary
capital expenditure would have to be deferred from other
priorities for water investment for the time period 2017-
2018, the CER.
CER also proposes that householders should be given
the option of installing a meter which would entitle them
to a tax rebate if they use less water than the average.
Grants should be given to people who invest in water-
saving measures, while it also proposes that the
installation of meters in new houses and estates should
be mandatory.
Expert commission
The regulator made the submission to the newly-
established Oireachtas committee examining the future
of water charges. The committee was established last
year to consider a report by an expert commission.
This commission proposed water be funded by general
taxation and each household be given an average
allowance to be determined by the CER.
The regulator says it will consult publicly before deciding
on allowances and and penalties for excessive usage.
In a separate submission, Irish Water said 13 billion
must be invested in Irelands water and waste-water
services to ensure safe drinking water and proper sewage
treatment.
Irish Water said it does not believe water services should
be funded wholly or largely through the Exchequer since
this would put investment in competition with public
spending demands. It said guaranteed funding was
needed.
Shortfall in funding tends to disproportionately affect
the performance of the system since fixed costs [staff,
chemicals, and energy] must be met, so that any
shortfalls have a direct and rapid impact on the
condition of the assets and the operation of the service.
Legislation
If funding is to come from general taxation then
legislation will be needed to ensure that income is
guaranteed. The utility has required additional funding
from the Exchequer since water charges were suspended.
Irish Water confirmed that 714 million would be
needed this year the annual 475 million subvention
plus 239 million replacement revenue in lieu of
previous domestic billable income.
The Oireachtas committee will meet Thursday to hear
from Irish Water, the CER and officials from the
Department of Housing.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/regulator-says-
irish-water-should-not-proceed-with-metering-
1.2933685#.WHafIGex6YA.twitter
He said households who had still not paid old water bills
should be pursued but allowed to pay outstanding debts
over a long period.
A special commission last month recommended most
homes get water for free. Mr Coveney said parties wanted
to move on and agree a plan through a new Oireachtas
committee on water charges.
But in an interview with the Irish Examiner he also
admitted that he and the Government had not received
word from Brussels as to whether the new water charges
plan was acceptable.
He expected the free water allowance per adult to be
agreed by the Dil to be 123 litres per day.
The average usage in Ireland is about 46,000 litres. To be
exact it is about 123 litres per day for an average adult...
We need to be at the national average and probably a
little bit more than that so that people who are using
water will have some flexibility around being a little bit
above the average or below the average.
Mr Coveney stressed that he did not want to interfere with
the Oireachtas committee, which will begin its work next
week. But he still believes households using excess
amounts of water must pay more.
If people are using more than that, why should their
neighbours pay for it through general taxation?
So if you have one house in the estate that is filling a
swimming pool out the back, everybody else in the estate
has to pay for it. That is just not fair.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/simon-coveney-
moots-free-daily-water-allowance-of-123-litres-
437756.html
So if you have one house in the estate that is filling a
swimming pool out the back, everybody else in the estate
has to pay for it. That is just not fair.
Hands up who owns a swimming pool.
Hands up who knows someone who owns a swimming
pool....
No Simon, what's 'not fair' is us paying on the double,
treble or quadruple for our water.
What's 'not fair' is the government spending millions of
Euro to prevent us collecting 13 billion in taxes from
Apple (how many leaks could even the portion Fine Gael
say relates to Ireland that fix?) while small to medium
businesses, and indeed some other larger corporations are
being hammered.
What IS fair, equitable and progressive is to pay for our
water through general taxation and not at the point of use.
For the tiny amount of swimming pools in Ireland, why not
introduce a swimming pool tax?
Who in the blue f**k gives a s**t what way FG are running their
circus, RT as usual trying to entertain (distract) the Irish citizens
(your audience) from the real stories and the real questions like :
Why are the HSE hospital waiting lists and trolley numbers not being
addressed by our successive governments?
Why are the wages of those same politicians, senior civil servants &
bankers & RTE presenters always going up significantly while
everybody else's are stagnant or being chipped away at with little
people taxes?
Why is the 9m orchestrated loss by CIE a story when the 20m loss
in RT last year wasn't really a story, was is because your loss was
in large part due to the RT parasite presenters getting their wages
significantly lifted at the same time?
Why do the extremely wealthy companies and Irish people pay less
and less taxes while we all pay more?
Why did the billions of debts of 2 private banks become the debt of
millions of innocent Irish, just because no politician or journalists
challenged it as part of their public representative role?
Why should anyone pay their TV licence for false and/or biased
and/or propaganda news?
And that's only for starters, not even getting into the world
news....so stop just reading out the government and Reuter
propaganda/distraction. Why don't you get your teeth stuck into that
instead of trying to distract the Irish citizens with all your absolute
trash....earn your wages (high) and be honest impartial journalists!!
Remember when they introduced bin charges they gave waivers to
many who couldn't afford to pay... that is how they will introduce
water charges...under the guise they will charge only for "excessive
use" and soon we will all be charged for "excessive use"... don't be
fooled... no means no... no charges
Brendan Ogles balanced
insiders guide to water
protests
From Bended Knee to a New Republic review: the Irish
fightback against water charges vividly recounted
Julien Mercille
Tue, Dec 20, 2016
WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION BLATANT
FAILURE ON
RADIOFREQUENCY/MICROWA
VE RADIATION
March 3, 2017
POST BODY
<img
src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55075f84e4b0f11bacb1b8d0/t/
58b9293c1b10e36459d0331a/1488529769393/whowireless.png"
alt="whowireless.png"/>
RIGHT2WATER CAMPAIGN
ACCUSED OF MAJOR U-TURN
Barry Cowan
Mr Gibney said the Government has given 2.7bn in tax cuts in
recent years while funding for water services has been cut.
If you want to fund water properly, stop giving away tax cuts, so
let's address the core issue, he said.
Mr Gibney questioned the Government's strategy of reducing the
Universal Social Charge and he singled out Bank of Ireland boss
Richie Boucher as to how much he pays.
Richie Boucher, who works for Bank of Ireland, pays 63,000 in
USC because he is a high earner. That is equivalent to a salary for
two nurses, Mr Gibney said.
Committee chairman Padraig O Ceidigh told Mr Gibney it was not
appropriate to name individuals like that.
Mr Gibney was forced to apologise.
Fine Gael's Martin Heydon accused Mr Gibney of being opposed
to cutting taxes for ordinary workers.
He said that 6% of the highest earners in this country pay 49% of
the income tax and USC, which is a fairly substantial figure.
They are also the key people who drive business and economic
activity in this country, said Mr Heydon.
I am surprised that Mr Gibney is opposed to cuts in income tax for
ordinary workers, he added.
R2W agrees charging for excess water
use
Feb 21, 2017
R2W Oireachtas Committee on Funding Domestic Water Feb 21
2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3osGZb5mUK0
RT One Prime Time LoughFoyle
Jan 18, 2017
Prime Time Tue 17 Jan 2017
Uncertainty over the border has led to a free-for-all among
oyster farmers in Lough Foyle leading to environmental
disaster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcpLk_snsRI
Paul McGowan is from the CER said the proposal from the
expert commission is that the vast majority of the water should
be paid for by the State, and only excessive use should be
charged for.
"In that context, we said that at this time there are other
priorities for capital investment, but that we could come back
and look at whether there is a case for further metering in due
course," he said.
Update 4.45pm: A meeting of the Oireachtas committee on
water charges has failed to reach agreement about the
possibility of scrapping charges entirely.
The 20-member committee will instead be given another draft
of a final report next Tuesday.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fil have continued to clash today about
the legality of water charges being scrapped for all customers.
Update 2.45pm: Simon Coveney is insisting he will not
introduce any laws to totally scrap water charges, claiming it
would be illegal under EU law.
But the Housing Minister says he hopes the dispute doesn't
result in a general election - because the public doesn't want
one.
advertisement
Michael McGrath
Simon Coveney
Introduction
Despite the fact that the Irish water supply and sanitation
sector is currently undergoing its greatest ever
transformation, involving the introduction of water service
charges for private households and possibly, eventually
even some measure of privatization, it remains unclear
precisely what influence the ongoing discourse in
international law on the emerging human right to water
and sanitation might exert on the legal and institutional
arrangements to be put in place. While uncertainty
persists over the precise legal status and, to a lesser
extent, the normative content of the human right to water,
it is unclear by what means such a right might be invoked
under the existing Irish legal framework. No provision or
principle of Irish law constitutional, statutory or judge-
made expressly supports the right of access to adequate
and safe potable water or to adequate sanitation.
Legal Bases
(Preliminary) Conclusions
1. Metering:
a. Realistic plans for effective roll-out;
b. Installation charges;
c. Interim flat-charges (large households)
2. Free Allowance:
a. Quantum
b. Household / individual
3. Affordability:
a. Assessing affordability
b. Differential free allowances
c. Welfare supplements: [Social Welfare Law]
d. Waivers
e. Progressive charging
4. Disconnection:
a. Safeguards: appeals
b. Guidelines
5. Connection:
a. Vulnerable people / transient communities: [Planning
and Development Law; Residential Tenancy Law; etc.]
6. Governance:
a. Transparency, participation, reviewability and
accountability
https://www.eumonitor.nl/9353000/1/j9vvik7
m1c3gyxp/vi7jgt3pjjzr
implementation and on stakeholder involvement in the ...
Northern Ireland 2 Teagasc, Republic of ... objectives under
the Water Framework Directive
http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/sites/catchmen
tchange/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/CCN-
full-programme_abstracts_FINAL.pdf
UK ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND
CONDITIONS (PHASE 2) Final
UK ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND CONDITIONS (PHASE
2 ... Republic of Ireland's Department of Environment ... The
Water Framework Directive3 sets out objective
http://wfduk.org/sites/default/files/Media/Envi
ronmental%20standards/Environmental
%20standards%20phase
%202_Final_110309.pdf
Groundwater hazardous
substances standards
The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and Groundwater
Daughter Directive (2006/118/EC) (GDD) require Member States to
prevent inputs of hazardous substances into groundwater subject to
various exemptions
UK Technical Advisory Group on the Water
Framework Directive Technical report on
Groundwater Hazardous Substances
http://www.wfduk.org/sites/default/files/Media
/UKTAG_Technical%20report_GW_Haz-
Subs_ForWebfinal.pdf
AND the Oscar DIDN'T go to Irish Water feeling amused.