Results 101-120 of 162 for going forward speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Child Protection: Motion (25 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...minimum sentences for repeat offenders. Forced marriage, of minors or otherwise, is fortunately extremely rare in Ireland. There is one known case in recent years where a minor was coerced into going through a ceremony of marriage against her wishes, after an exemption had been granted by the Circuit Court. The minor concerned was subsequently granted a declaration that the marriage was...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Adoption Services Provision (18 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...to legal and constitutional complexities, balancing the right to identity with a parent's right to privacy where prior parental consent has not been forthcoming. The Minister is committed to going as far as possible through legislation to facilitate improved access. A great deal can also be done operationally to support any new legislative scheme through, for example, support and...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am going to respond to the actual question the Deputy tabled for reply. I will obtain and forward to her the further information she is seeking as soon as possible. As she noted, the key point is that nothing can happen in respect of fracking in this country until the EPA submits its report in 2016. It will then be a matter for the Government of the day to decide what will happen because...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (14 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: ..., ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le Senator Barrett as ucht an Bille seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Cé nach bfhuil an Rialtas ag glacadh leis an mBille, tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh díospóireacht leathan againn agus gur féidir le Seanadóirí ó gach taobh den Teach a dtuairimí a nochtadh. Tuigeann muid go...

Housing Provision: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...job creation; we have reduced our unemployment rate from a high of 15%, as Deputy Donnelly knows, to 11.7%. It is still high but it is below the European average. Our economy is growing and the Government has put its efforts into economic recovery so it can deal with increasing investment in social supports like local authority housing and assisting people in debt who have difficulty...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...sa Seanad coicís ó shin. Bhí tuairimí ag gach taobh den Teach agus d'éisteamar leo, agus táimid ag díriú ar cuid de na rudaí a dúireadh ag an am sin. This Bill is the second legislative milestone in the Government's strategy for the reform of water services provision in Ireland. The Water Services Act 2013, enacted last March, provided...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: ..., we still have significant cuts to public expenditure to make. What we are doing here is making sure we have an adequate water supply into the future. The money people pay for their water will go to Irish Water and not to the Government. I wish to be very clear about a related issue. Senator Barrett came up with three or four different estimates for the charges, but the one he liked...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Gabh mo leithscéal. Tá sé ag teacht. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbeidh díospóireacht oscailte againn agus go mbeidh seans ag gach éinne a gcuid tuairimí a nochtadh. This Bill is the second legislative milestone in the Government's strategy for the reform of water services provision in Ireland. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services Provision (20 Nov 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: ..., my mother is from County Clare and I was born in Tipperary; as a result, I am very much tuned into the Thurles and County Clare sides of the issue. The bigger picture is that we must step forward together and satisfy the communities affected. I repeat that I would like to go with the Deputy to meet them. I would have no problem in doing so. I would also make sure the appropriate...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services Provision (20 Nov 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: ..., it is not economical to carry out repairs or make adjustments. Significantly and properly, Dublin and Fingal, in particular, have been extremely proactive in dealing with the issue. We must step forward together as an economy and country. We must deal with these issues transparently and openly, and they must be dealt with by meeting, talking and, above all, listening to one another....

Housing (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Admhaím i dtosach go bhfuil an cheart ag an Teachta sa mhéid a dúirt sí faoi thithíocht agus daoine ag lorg tithe, go mórmhór ina dáilcheantar féin. Tá an taithí chéanna agamsa i gContae Lú le blianta fada anuas. Aontaím go bhfuil sé an-tábhachtach go mbeidh daoine a bhfuil tithíocht ag teastáil uathu...

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Feb 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time". Bille an-thábhachtach é seo agus tá sé práinneach go ndíreoimís ar chúrsaí uisce ach go háirithe. Tá sé soléir anois go mbeidh Irish Water, nó Uisce Éireann, ag tosnú mar fhoireann dhleathach agus go mbeidh sé ag díriú ar na ceisteanna...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is mór an onóir dom a bheith anseo arís don díospóireacht ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo - uisce agus soláthar uisce don tír go léir. Tá rud speisialta ag gabháil leis an Bille seo agus tá súil agam go mbeidh díospóireacht iomlán againn agus go mbeidh gach éinne in ann dóthain cainte a dhéanamh agus dóthain ceisteanna a chur orm ag Céim an Choiste. This is an important...

Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Ba mhaith liom buíochas an Aire Airgeadais a chur faoi bhráid na Dála as ucht an Bille seo a thógaint anocht. Tá sé tábhachtach go dtógfaí an Bille mar tá sé práinneach ó thaobh an mhargaidh nua atá déanta idir an Ghréig, an tAontas Eorpach agus na hAirí...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is dóigh liom go bhfuil an buiséad seo féaráilte, cé nach bhfuil aon dabht ach go bhfuil sé crua ar a lán daoine. Táimid ag troid ar feadh blianta anois chun fostaíocht a chruthú agus chun postanna a chur ar fáil, go háirithe do dhaoine óga. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go leanfar leis an obair seo agus go dtiocfaidh...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (6 Nov 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...time working towards achieving a significant increase in the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources. As natural gas will continue to be important to electricity generation in Ireland going forward, clearly Ireland would benefit if that natural gas was not imported, but instead came form our own indigenous natural resources.

Seanad: Irish Water and Related Reforms: Statements (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank all the contributors to the debate. Some important views have been put forward. If I do not answer all the questions, including those from the Acting Chairman, it will not be a question of not having enough time but of getting a proper briefing back to Senators on the issues they raised. They are important and fundamental questions about where we are going and how we are going to...

Seanad: Irish Water and Related Reforms: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...- uisce a sholáthar do gach cuid den tír - agus na ceisteanna práinneacha a bhaineann leis sin a phlé. Is rud maith é gur féidir linn tosú ar maidin ceisteanna a freagairt ó dhaoine agus go dtiocfaimid ar ais go luath chun an clár a bheidh á scaipeadh againn a scrúdú ionas go mbeidh gach duine sásta íoc as an uisce. Chun sin a chur chun cinn, caithfidh díospóireacht...

Seanad: Presidential Nominations: Motion (18 Jul 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...and I have listened to Senators' comments with great interest. Like Senator Keane, I agree with Senator Norris's comments regarding an tUachtarán na hÉireann, who is doing a fantastic job and going from strength to strength. The office is held in the highest esteem and each of its holders has increased people's respect for it. This debate is timely. Although there will be differences...

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Members of the public receive services from these companies. The public must be protected. The Central Bank is not happy at this stage for it to go ahead. It wants everyone to move forward together and put through this Bill. The previous Government did not do it and we are saying that we will do it. It is as simple as this. It is very clear to all objective commentators what we are...