Joe O’Toole steps down as water charges commission chairman

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.

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

Water charges body chair slams left-wing politicians' stance

The chairman of the new water charges expert commission has slammed left- wing politicians’ views and also said Revenue could examine taking over collection of the levy.

Commission chairman Joe O’Toole said he favours paying household charges and furthermore, there are “bundles of money” in Ireland which can be invested in Irish Water.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, the former trade union chief also admitted the commission may collapse if an election was called at any stage during its five-month term.

His comments come ahead of Housing Minister Simon Coveney travelling to Brussels this week to outline Ireland’s plan to suspend water charges to Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella.

Mr O’Toole said he was a strong supporter of the ‘polluter pays’ principle, which is backed by the Fine Gael government and Brussels. But he had strong views of left-wing campaigners, who want charges scrapped and services paid for equally through general taxation.

“I find it extraordinary that people who present themselves as being left-wing politicians are opposed to things like property tax, are opposed to polluter pays, are of a view that if you have two or three cars and a swimming pool you should be paying the same water tax as somebody next door.”

Asked if the likes of AAA-PBP TD Paul Murphy was “wrong” on their stance on water charges, Mr O’Toole said: “Completely and utterly wrong on the issue, that it is fair in society that people with three cars and a swimming pool pay the same water tax as someone, a person who is barely struggling on a minimum wage.”

The former ICTU president said the commission, likely to hold hearings in the autumn, would ask Revenue to examine the collection of water charges or tying them into another.

“I will talk to Revenue, it’s rollover. There’s the property tax, the waste tax, the water tax, your television licence,” he said.

“There may well be a way that we can fold or should consider folding some of the charges together. What I would like to explore with Revenue are what are the various options.”

Asked if this included Revenue taking over the collection of charges, he said: “That may well be an option to be considered.”

Mr O’Toole said the commission could hear from protest groups and political leaders.

It will be examining what pay model to support Irish Water. One option could be to “try and convince somebody to buy an Irish Water bond”, said Mr O’Toole.

“There are bundles of money in this country at the moment trying to find a home.”

Original article; Juno McEnroe, Irish Examiner, July 4,2016