Results 5,601-5,620 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I congratulate Deputy Catherine Murphy on putting this important proposed legislation before the Dáil today. I compliment the Members on the constructive comments that most of them have made. I will put to one side the parts that were political because this is a serious debate about the Office of President and how we should elect that person. This Bill deals with the Office of President...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: He will sing for them.

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Mar a dúirt me i dtosach, is díospóireacht an-thábhachtach é seo. Tá sé mar chuid den díospóireacht náisiúnta atá riachtanach. Ba mhaith liom go dtiocfaidh tairbhe tábhachtach agus go n-athróidh rudaí mar thoradh ar na tuairimí atá nochtaithe inniu ag Teachtaí ar gach taobh. Tá sé mar bhunchloch againn go dtarlóidh díospóireacht chomh fairsing agus is féidir ag an...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The convention will also be called on examine issues in respect of the office of the President that are central to the proposals put forward today. For example, the convention will be considering the issue of reducing the presidential term to five years and aligning it with the local and European elections. Recently, the Taoiseach indicated in the Dáil that the criteria and process for...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am pleased to open the debate in this House on the Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011. The EU-IMF programme of financial support for Ireland commits the Government to the introduction of a property tax for 2012. The programme reflects the need, in the context of the State's overall financial position, to put the funding of locally delivered services on a sound financial footing,...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: For clarity, there will be four dates beyond 31 March on which they can pay for the entire year. They will be able to do that without a penalty by the due date, which will be fixed by the Minister.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: We have no problem with that.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It goes to the fund.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Some counties have a smaller population.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Slow learning.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, the Committee Stage.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, the Committee Stage.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I take Members' point regarding amendments. If an amendment is in order, I have no problem debating it. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach, in discussion with Senators, will agree a time by which amendments can be submitted. This will ensure Members have time to submit proposals and that departmental staff have time to respond.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is fine. I agree that there should be a reasonable timeframe for the drawing up of amendments. I thank Senators for their contributions to the debate. I assure them that I am mindful of the matters raised and look forward to examining them in greater detail as the Bill progresses through Committee and subsequent Stages. I am fully committed to working constructively with Senators to...

Seanad: Tionscal na hIascaireachta (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sa bhliain 2007, tar éis thaighde eolaíochta de chuid Comhairle Idirnáisiúnta um Thaisceolaíocht na Farraige, ICES, a léirigh go raibh drochbhail rí-thábhachtach ar stoic eascann na hEorpa, thug an tAontas Eorpach isteach rialachán go bhfuil mar sprioc aige téarnamh na stoc chomh fada leis na hardleibhéil a bhíodh ann fadó. Léiríonn na meastacháin gur tharla géar thitim de...

Seanad: Tionscal na hIascaireachta (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tá sé an-tábhachtach an prionsabal sin a chur i bhfeidhm más féidir sin. Ba chóir go mbeadh an polasaí céanna ann maidir le hiascaireacht Thuaidh agus Theas. Táim sásta na tuairimí atá nochtaithe ag an Seanadóir anocht a thabhairt chuig an Roinn agus chun freagra iomlán a fháil dó ar an scéal. Tá mé féin sásta féachaint isteach sa scéal chomh luath agus is féidir...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall an cheist a fhreagairt. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ar siúl tré Ghaeilge ach níl foclóir s'agamsa maith go leor don ábhar seo. Go raibh maith ag an tSeanadóir as an leasú a chur romhainn. My officials have been in contact withthe Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. I am informed this is standard drafting procedure. The reference...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom, i dtosach, mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le gach duine a mhol an leasú seo agus a nocht a dtuairimí air. Nuair a thagaim go dtí an tSeanad bíonn díospóireacht an-mhaith ann i gcónaí. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ar siúl mar Bille bunúsach is ea an ceann seo. These proposed amendments to section 2 would have the effect of excluding purchasers of...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senators for their contributions in respect of the various issues raised. Senator Keane referred to clarity regarding the information relating to the charge. Such clarity will be provided in respect of those involved in shared ownership arrangements. Senator Byrne referred to houses owned by trading companies or whatever which have never been occupied and in respect of which such...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I said they never obtained an income from the properties in question, which were never occupied.