Kevin Duffy to be new chair of Water Commission

July 8, 2016

It's all in the way you say it

Kevin Duffy new chairman Irish Water Commission appointed by Simon Coveney, July 7, 2016 following controversial resignation of Joe O'Toole

"A safe pair of hands and more importantly a safe pair of lips" RTE's description of the news that Minister Simon Coveney appointed Kevin Duffy as the new chairman of the Commission on Domestic Water Services on July 7, 2016. This followed the controversial resignation of the former chairman Joe O'Toole on Wednesday..

Asked were people were happy with this appointment, RTE's reporter Martina Fitzgerald (see video below), ironically hit the nail on the head when she said

"Well, it depends what view one takes of the Commission. For those who are opposed to it's very existence, it really makes very little difference who is chairing it But for those who are keeping an open on the issue he ticks a lot of boxes."

The former chairman of the Labour Court Kevin Duffy is to be appointed as the Chairman of the Expert Commission on Water Charges.

Subtle nuances in RTE reporting

On the one hand we have the 'hardliners', opposed to it's very existence and on the other there are the 'open' reasonable people who Ms Fitzgerald thought would see all the positive attributes that Mr Duffy possesses. Ms Fitzgerald continued to list Mr Duffy's attributes.

RTE News July 7, 2016

The Irish Mirror less subjective view

The Irish Mirror, July 7, quoted the Minister Simon Coveney as describing Mr Duffy's positive attributes as "He has a distinguished track record of public service and will bring to the commission’s work a wealth of experience in addressing complex, intractable issues.”

Responding to the appointment, Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy said they had no faith in the commission. "Joe O’Toole gave the game away from the government’s perspective.

Fine Gael are determined to try to re-introduce water charges – they are seeking a pre-determined outcome from the Commission to try to achieve that. They want to then present this as the conclusion of an ‘expert’ panel.

However, O’Toole’s ‘straight talking’ let the cat out of the bag and now the Commission has no credibility in the eyes of the public because they know it’s a set-up."

Reference: www.merrianstreet.ie, Irish Government New Services for details.

Joe O’Toole steps down as water charges commission chairman

July 5, 2016

The chairman of the expert commission on water charges Joe O’Toole has announced he is to step down from his position after comments he made in a candid interview in the Irish Examiner last week.
Mr O’Toole had said he found it “extraordinary” that left wing politicians are “opposed” to the ‘polluter pays’ principle and they, including AAA TD Paul Murphy, were “completely and utterly wrong” on the issue.
In a statement released this afternoon O’Toole confirmed he is withdrawing from the position of chair of the commission.

“It had been my firm intention to remain as Chair of the Expert Commission on Water,” read O’Toole.
“I was looking forward to progressing the important work of the Commission and proving my critics wrong. That was until Minister Coveney informed me that the main opposition party would not cooperate with Government on this and related issues for as long as I remained in the Chair.
“Effectively then for me to remain in situ would result in the Government being spancilled in implementing policy and enacting legislation. Despite the support of Minister Coveney this is a situation I am not prepared to countenance and therefore I am withdrawing from the position of Chair.
“Walking away is disappointing but it is the right thing to do in these circumstances. There are enough problems facing the Government without me adding to them.”

Original article: Irish Examiner July 5, 2016

Buncrana Together

Good persistent exposition of what might be called another quango. How otherwise could any sane person see this commission as? Whether the other membersare experts, whether they are impartial remains to be seen. What can one expectwhen 'he who pays the pied piper'.

Mr Coveney, who epitomises total impartiality in this matter along with his government colleagues has stumbled from one hoodwink, lie, to another in their quest to railroad water charges through.

What should have been donewas honour the wishes of the electorate. This was clearlydemonstrated in the general election. Instead we got a commission hand picked by Mr Coveney and their terms of reference set by someone who is totally impartial andgung ho about implementing them. Mr Coveney made no bones about how he felt and as such any commission set up by him is prejudiced. Even after all the statements by Mr O'Toole, Mr Coveney was prepared to stand by his apostle.

One thing I have to give Mr O'Toole is his honesty, something we have not got from any FG Minister. Will we get honesty from other members of this so called 'impartial' commission?

Fianna Fáil has called on the chairman of the Independent Commission set up to examine the future of water charges to consider his position.

July 4, 2016

Former senator Joe 0'Toole Picture: Tom Burke

Fianna Fáil has called on the chairman of the Independent Commission set up to examine the future of water charges to consider his position.

In a dramatic move on Monday, Fianna Fáil questioned whether former senator Joe O’Toole is suitable for the post following remarks he made in the media.

Mr O’Toole said in an interview that he favours paying water charges and seriously questioned the stance of left wing TDs such as Paul Murphy in relation to water charges.

Mr Murphy called for Mr O’Toole’s resignation this morning, however, Housing Minister Simon Coveney declined to be drawn on the issue. Later, Mr O’Toole dismissed the calls, adding that he intends to chair the commission in a fair and honest fashion.

But in a move that will heap pressure on Mr Coveney, Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen all but called for Mr O’Toole to step down.

“This new commission’s job is to independently and impartially examine the different options available for funding our water and wastewater systems into the future, before presenting these options to Dáil Éireann which will then decide,” Mr Cowen said.

“In his ill-judged comments to the media this morning, Mr O’Toole has seriously undermined his position as Chair.

"For the commission’s process to enjoy public support, it is essential that those involved approach the question of funding with an open mind.

"By making clear his view before the process of examination even begins and pre-empting the outcome, he has raised serious question marks about his suitability for this role.

“Mr O'Toole needs to reflect on the comments he has made and reflect on whether he is in a position to effectively lead the commission's work.”

Original article; Niall O'Connor, Irish Independent, July 4, 2016