Results 5,881-5,900 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: In Northern Ireland, there are two charges. The Deputies spoke about three charges down here. There are two up there. The regional rate is set by the Northern Ireland Executive in Stormont, of which Sinn Féin is a part. Councils, on which Sinn Féin have members in many cases, set the district rate, which meets needs such as building control, community centres, leisure facilities,...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sinn Féin must accept that there has to be sustainable funding of local government. Notwithstanding the weaknesses in what we are doing now, when the property tax is introduced it will be fairer and I expect socialist parties to support it because it will be based on people's wealth and their ability to pay.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The introduction of the household charge must be seen as a further step to place the funding of local authorities on a relatively stable local basis. A proper broadening of the revenue base for local government will be the result of the household charge and the subsequent full property tax. In this country, local authorities are responsible for certain services and that is where the money...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise. Copies are available.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise. I know they were printed. I am sorry if they are not available. I have been advised that they are available. Perhaps an usher could distribute them.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am sorry. I thought the scripts had been distributed. Similar to the €200 charge on non-principal private residences, an online system was developed by the Local Government Management Agency to enable homeowners to pay the household charge on the Internet. In addition, homeowners can make payment by cheque or postal order. More than 60% of those who have paid to date have done so via...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is just if they are owned by the corporate entity, the State or Government. Exemptions also include a housing authority or the Health Service Executive, voluntary and co-operative housing, residential property subject to commercial rates and wholly used as a dwelling, residential property owned by certain charities or discretionary trusts and residential property which an owner has...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----by significant taxes on every house without exception, including those-----

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is. The charge is even paid on houses that are not occupied.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy O'Brien should check his party's website.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The household charge is an interim measure and will be replaced by a full valuation-based property tax in due course. However, time is required for that and the household charge was necessary as an immediate measure to meet the troika's timeframe. This was the context in which the legislation was introduced. In terms of the full property tax, an independently chaired interdepartmental group...

Written Answers — Irish Water: Irish Water (20 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together. The Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations of an independent assessment, to establish a public water utility company, Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. Following further consideration as to whether Irish Water should be...

Seanad: Fisheries Protection (20 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Táim chun é seo a léamh, cé go bhfuil sé beagáinín fada agus má bhíonn orm teacht isteach an dara uair, déanfaidh mé é sin. Wild salmon in Ireland are part of our rich national heritage and biological tapestry, and Ireland is one of the most renowned natural producers of wild salmon in the North Atlantic. Ireland traditionally operated a commercial, offshore, mixed stock fishery,...

Seanad: Fisheries Protection (20 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Fisheries Protection (20 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tourists from Germany, Britain, America or anywhere else are more than welcome to come to this country to catch fish in areas where that is allowed. Irish people like Senator O'Donovan and me are welcome to do the same. There is no difference in that respect. The Senator and I know each other for a long time, so I can say to him with respect that the curtain is falling on the salmon stocks...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (21 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations of an independent assessment, to establish a public water utility company, Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. Following further consideration as to whether Irish Water should be established as a new entity or whether existing bodies in...

Hydraulic Fracturing (26 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: On 11 May 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, published its preliminary research into the environmental aspects of shale gas extraction in the form of a small desk-based study carried out by the University of Aberdeen. Among the main findings of this review was the observation that the integrity of the well is vital for minimising potential impact in regard to fracking in terms...

Hydraulic Fracturing (26 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I agree that we must have full engagement with the public, particularly with regard to the terms of reference of this study. A steering committee will comprise, among others, representatives of the Department of the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Environmental...

Hydraulic Fracturing (26 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I presume that the Department itself will be involved in the research along with the EPA. The key thing is that we get robust scientific facts, not fiction. Whatever the facts are we must find them in their finest, broadest, most scientific and analytical detail. The terms of reference will be on the websites of the Department and the EPA freely, openly and transparently so people can make...

Hydraulic Fracturing (26 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. The only ones that have been issued were issued by the former Minister of State, Mr. Conor Lenihan. He is the only person who issued a licensing option. Nothing else will happen until this research is launched. The Deputy does have a point, however, in that under the licensing option issued by the previous Government, the company will have an opportunity before end-March 2013 to...