Kevin Duffy to be new chair of Water Commission

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.

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