Results 6,361-6,380 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: A fair deal for everyone on the train.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy can twist my words if he wants, but I am afraid that-----

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I can confirm that-----

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----all of the issues relating to probable-----

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is not.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is rubbish.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would like an opportunity to respond.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I accept that.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: A second Bill will come before the House to deal with affordability, cost, medical issues and the categories that will be exempt.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Water poverty is high on the agenda. There will be absolute clarity before any charge is made as to how the charge arises, what it will be and who will be exempt. We are setting up the company and allowing the regulator to begin the work.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure Deputy McGrath that without the Bill being enacted the work cannot start.

Topical Issue Debate: Labour Market Issues (12 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will respond on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. It is estimated the Department of Social Protection will spend over €1 billion on working-age employment supports in 2013. This substantial expenditure, against a backdrop of significant fiscal consolidation, underlines the Government's commitment to enhancing support for activation and assisting...

Topical Issue Debate: Labour Market Issues (12 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will bring the comments of the Deputy to the attention of the Minister. Pathways to Work represents the Government's policy statement on labour market activity, which is committed, as I said, to more focused intervention. Given the limited public resources, it is essential that these activation measures are targeted. The current cohort of people who are long-term unemployed are a...

Topical Issue Debate: School Completion Programme (12 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for putting this matter on the agenda this evening. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald. I assure the Deputy that I will bring his comments directly to her attention. The school completion programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and generally to improve...

Topical Issue Debate: School Completion Programme (12 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I acknowledge the Deputy's points and assure him that I will bring them to the attention of the Minister, particularly the Le Chéile project in Knocknaheeny. While there are significant financial problems everywhere the full adjustment identified in the comprehensive review of expenditure for 2014 will be further considered in the context of a review of the programme to be undertaken...

Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: There is already a spent conviction provision in respect of those who are under 18 years.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (13 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Amendment No. 1 provides that the Minister for Finance may guarantee the borrowings made by Irish Water or Bord Gáis Éireann for the purposes of this Bill. It will not mean that all the company's borrowings will automatically be guaranteed. The guarantee would only be applied on a case-by-case basis after the Minister has consulted with the Minister for the Environment, Community and...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (13 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand the ceiling on it is the total amount at any one time.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (13 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise. It is not automatic; it has to be applied for. However, the maximum borrowings are ¤500 million at any one time.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (13 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: On the cost analysis that has been done, the maximum borrowing of ¤500 million is more than adequate to meet any anticipated borrowings. Clearly Irish Water will have an income from domestic and commercial water charges.