Results 5,441-5,460 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Water Services (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The independent assessment will consider all the issues. I have a personal preference, like everybody else, but we must wait to see the outcome of the process. The Deputy asked who will pay for the water meters. If the value for money report indicates that meters should be installed, the National Pensions Reserve Fund - at the time the Deputy's party was in government - agreed to provide...

Water Services (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: One of the recommendations from the independent review will be the best way to manage staff. There may be a structure like the National Roads Authority, and if so most of the staff dealing with water locally would continue to do so. It would not make sense to move everybody to a new quango.

Water Services (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It would be a quango.

Water Services (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: We need a water authority that would be effective and would do the job as efficiently and cheaply as possible. Local authority staff numbers have been reduced by in excess of 6,000 since 2008. Many people have left local authorities and made a significant contribution to the reduction of numbers in the public sector.

Water Services (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: If that is done more people would be employed but there would be no water meters. We would then have to consider a standard household charge to pay for that. A water meter will be more expensive to install but will reduce consumption immediately. Apart from the free amount consumers have, they would want to pay less rather than more. I am not aware of the position in Donegal but I would...

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy's Government burned the taxpayers of the country for the next 30 years.

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is set out in the last two lines of that document.

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It was there all along.

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy must have rubbed it out.

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 40 together. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a fair funding model to deliver reliable water services. The Programme also proposes the installation of water meters in individual households and introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is currently preparing a strategy to implement...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (6 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The programme for Government proposes the installation of water meters in individual households and the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals, including a strategy for the procurement and installation of water meters. It is envisaged that the installation of meters will commence in...

Education and Training: Motion (12 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Cuidím leis an méid a dúirt an t-Aire ar an rún seo. Tá sé an-thábhachtach go mbeadh díospóireacht oscailte againn agus go mbeadh muid in ann anseo ár n-aigne a nochtadh i dtaobh conas mar is féidir oideachas a chur i gceartlár ár bpolasaí, ní amháin i gceartlár na tíre agus na daltaí, ach i dtaobh cúrsaí eacnamaíochta de chomh maith. Is as cúrsaí oideachais is mó a...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (12 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food has statutory responsibility for the national afforestation programme, including annual targets, and for Coillte Teoranta. I will work with him and with the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, in the context of the NewERA plan to deliver on the Government's ambitious strategy of accelerating the development of Ireland's forestry and bioenergy resources as...

Scéimeanna Uisce agus Séarachais (13 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Cuív as ucht an deis seo a thabhairt dom an cheist thábhachtach seo a fhreagairt. I ndiaidh na díospóireachta seo, beidh mé ag caint leis an Roinn ionas go mbeimid ag gabháil amárach leis na ceisteanna bunúsacha atá curtha faoi bhráid na Dála anocht ag an Teachta agus nach bhfuil freagraí iomlán dóibh sa théacs atá agam. Tá raon...

Energy Resources: Motion (19 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tááthas orm an deis seo a thógáil chun páirt a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht thábhachtach seo. Is ábhar tábhachtach é seo ar fad. Bíonn go leor plé sna meáin chumarsáide faoin ráta cánach a bhaineann leis an earnáil pheitriliam. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil an díospóireacht ar siúl anocht chun an cheist a phlé agus an t-ábhar a shoiléiriú. Is léir dom go bhfuil ról...

Energy Resources: Motion (19 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Would that be Ray Burke?

Tax Code (20 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies for raising the matter and I will bring the points made to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan. The position regarding the taxation of goods vehicles has not changed. In August 2010, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government issued a circular to motor tax offices reminding authorised officers of existing provisions with regard to the...

Telecommunications Services (21 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is whoever got the most votes.

Telecommunications Services (21 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy opposite for his noble words. I am reminded of the line from the poem, "i mBaile na Muc, Dé Sathairn, chailleamar an lá". Sibhse a chaill an toghchán deireanach. Cháin an Teachta cúrsaí leathanbhanda na tíre agus dúirt sé nach bhfuil leathanbhanda ag daoine ina cheantar féin. Ta súil agam go dtuigeann an Teachta gur ar a phairtí atá an milleán faoi sin. I...

Departmental Agencies (21 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Broughan for bringing this matter to our attention.