Results 5,481-5,500 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Having been in government for 17 of the past 20 years, I can understand there was no sense of urgency from the Deputy's party. To be perfectly clear, there have been several discussions in the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Environment, Community and Local Government. As I stated in the original reply, I am working with the respective Ministers, Deputies...

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I cannot-----

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: One issue is whether legislation is required to establish the entity. If legislation is not needed, I hope it will be done before the summer. If legislation is required, I would hope to have it before the end of the year. In either event, by the time Santa Claus visits the Deputy, it is to be hoped that NewERA also will be in his package.

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is something on which Deputy Dooley would never agree for the next 50 years because he would never be in the position.

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Was that when Deputy Dooley was collecting money from various premises?

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Bill proposes a split in responsibilities and mixed competencies, which is not to be found anywhere else in the world. All claims by the Government to the contrary are untrue. Independent expert reviews of the Department of Finance recommended major reform, which is supported by all parties, but also explicitly advised against splitting the Department. The more one looks at the detail,...

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Fianna Fáil did that.

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (7 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: For a number of years now, domestic water meters have been installed on group water supplies which were being upgraded under the Rural Water Programme. In addition, non-domestic water customers are required to be metered and I understand that the local authorities have now largely completed the installation of water meters in the non-domestic sector. However, my Department does not collect...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (8 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 147 together. In order to address a commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department is preparing proposals for the installation of meters on households connected to a public water supply. I expect to bring proposals on the matter to the Government for consideration shortly. Subject to Government approval, I expect the installation of water...

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is magic.

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Blood is thicker than water.

State Airports (9 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I congratulate the Deputy on his good news today. I wish him all the best in his Chairmanship. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. As the Deputy will recall, the programme for Government makes clear that the Government "will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish air space, airports and related facilities for purposes not in...

Fisheries Protection (9 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Bannon for raising this matter, which he has discussed privately with me on numerous occasions. I am taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. International expert advice is that European eel stocks have declined steeply and in 2008 the expensive delicacy was listed as officially endangered,...

Hospital Services (9 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy McFadden for raising this issue. The Government is committed to supporting people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the HSE supports access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. We continue to develop and improve health services in all regions of the country...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (15 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 409 together. In order to address a commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department is preparing proposals for the installation of meters on households connected to a public water supply, including consideration of the costs and benefits of the various options for the metering programme. Proposals on the matter will be submitted to the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (15 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The developer of any development, including a residential development, is statutorily required to complete the development in accordance with the terms of the planning permission. A development which has not been completed in accordance with the planning permission is unauthorised development. Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authorities, who have substantial...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: New regulations and guidance have been developed by my Department in the context of the social housing reform programme to provide that housing authorities can disregard a household's current accommodation for the purposes of determining eligibility for social housing support where that household's current accommodation has been deemed unsustainable for economic reasons. Local authorities...

Water and Sewerage Services (16 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies opposite for putting down this motion. I listened to the debate with great interest. I must clarify some issues, for the benefit of everyone in the country. While water may fall from the sky, it does not get into our taps very easily. There are significant costs attached to the 956 separate public water supply zones in Ireland. Of those 956 public water supplies the...

Water and Sewerage Services (16 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: However, let us be realistic about it. That will actually happen.

Water and Sewerage Services (16 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am trying to answer the Deputy's question. The money must come from somewhere and we believe it is reasonable and fair that every household should pay for the water after they have been given a free allowance to which it can work. Internationally conservation results from metering. I encourage you to go to your local authority and ask it to show you - as I did with my local authority -...