Results 5,461-5,480 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Departmental Agencies (21 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise for the absence of the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Shane McEntee, who has asked me to take this matter on his behalf. I am pleased to be given this opportunity to deal with the issues raised by Deputy Broughan. I would like to clarify the position with regard to the respective responsibilities of Teagasc and the Department of...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (3 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: In the context of the NewERA Plan the Government has committed to an ambitious strategy of accelerating the development of Ireland's forestry and bioenergy resources. Key to the realisation of this strategy as outlined in the Programme for Government is the plan to create a new State company to be called BioEnergy Ireland. This envisages the merger of Bord na Móna and Coillte. I will be...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (3 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 401, 407 and 426 to 428, inclusive, together. 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. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals, including the...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio (4 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Táim ag tógaint na díospóireachta seo ar son an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna, an Teachta Ruairí Quinn, nach bhfuil sa Teach faoi láthair. Tá an freagra go léir i mBéarla.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio (4 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ach déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall cuid de a aistriú. D'iarr mé ar an Roinn script Ghaeilge a ullmhú ach i mBéarla atá sé. Tá sé an-thábhachtach go bhfuil an cheist seo á plé agus molaim an Teachta as ucht an rud a dúirt sé. Beidh mé ag caint leis an Aire faoin méid a dúirt an Teachta agus neosfaidh mé dó na pointí nua nach raibh ar eolas agam go dtí seo ach go háirithe....

Register of Electors (4 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I speak and reply on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan. In law, the preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local authority. It is its duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the...

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (11 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to share my time with Deputies Olivia Mitchell and Denis Naughten. I have listened to this debate and I note that all sides are in agreement on many issues. We all want to effect significant progress for our people considering the new economic reality of more than 450,000 people unemployed while at the same time continuing to work within the EU-IMF assistance package. We have to find...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Donations) Bill 2011: Second Stage (resumed) (11 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: In concluding the contributions from the Government side, I restate the view that this Fianna Fáil Private Members' Bill includes some very worthwhile proposals. Some of the measures in it are included in the programme for Government and they will be implemented. However, the Bill is too narrow in scope and it lacks ambition. It contains a number of technical flaws that make it...

Priority Questions (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Níl an Teachta Ó Cuív anseo.

Government Programmes (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government has clearly set out its intention to ensure the semi-State sector plays a full role in Ireland's economic recovery. The State companies are engaged in a wide range of strategic activities and have significant investment programmes in place. We want to ensure these investment programmes are delivered to best effect in the interests of jobs and growth. The New Economic and...

Government Programmes (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The key point is that the Government is ad idem, of one mind, on this. I refer the Deputy to page 14 of the programme for Government which makes very clear that, after due consideration, there will be a sale of State assets amounting up to €2 billion which will be part of, and in addition to, the national development plan. We need to keep the State companies focused on what they do best....

Government Programmes (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The programme for Government states that up to €2 billion will be invested in NewERA. The key point is that the McCarthy report is being considered by Government and each Department will have its proposals in that regard. However, NewERA is predicated on getting investment from the State of non-essential State assets.

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 30 together. I am working with the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, and other relevant Ministers to ensure that all appropriate funding opportunities are leveraged to deliver on the NewERA objectives of job creation and economic growth. The report of the review group on State assets and liabilities has been published and is under active consideration by the...

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, absolutely.

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Clearly, before coming into government, the plan was to use the money in the National Pensions Reserve Fund, the vast majority of which, or more than €10 billion had to be used to bail out the banks. Approximately €4.9 billion now remains in the National Pensions Reserve Fund and that is money that must be considered in respect of NewERA. On the sale of State assets, there are two ways...

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The first point is that €4.9 billion is all that remains after the Deputy's party wrecked the economy. As I noted earlier, €10 billion of the money in the fund had to go to bailing out the banks. The troika has told the Government that it will examine fully any proposals the latter may have for the disposal of State assets for the creation of employment, such as the NewERA projects. I...

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: To be clear, yes, NewERA certainly will be established and yes, it will be the vehicle for those funds.

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, all jobs are important and the thousands of jobs the Government will create through NewERA will be extremely welcome nationwide, including in the Deputy's constituency.

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I cannot do that because I am not a member of the Government.

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is being considered by the Government. A special sub-committee of the Government is dealing with all these issues. I assure the Deputy that NewERA is on that agenda and my specific job, on foot of a Government commitment, is to ensure the process by which NewERA will be set up and will manage the assets of the State will happen as soon as possible.