Results 6,541-6,560 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Dáil Reform (18 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Frequently, there are sittings on Fridays and progress in that area. When there is a dispute, as I used to have when I was in opposition, with a Minister about the answer to parliamentary questions, there will now be a process where there will be transparency about what happened and the Deputy can discuss all those issues with the Ceann Comhairle. Are we sitting more often? Yes. Is more...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Dáil Reform (18 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The views of Members opposite are valuable. The debate between the Whips will continue and suggestions that were made will be passed on to the Chief Whip. The point is to make the Oireachtas more accountable and to make Ministers more accountable, both in committee and in the Dáil. On the timetable for legislation, if it is clear when it is published and, given the nature of it, that...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Dáil Reform (18 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: No. Tá an lá tagtha.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Dáil Reform (18 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Once there is progress, that is okay. Having sat here in two previous Dála looking over at the serried ranks of Fianna Fáil as they were then, the uniqueness of the Fianna Fáil seats was there were only two of them who were not a Minister, a junior Minister, a Chairman, a convenor, a Vice Chairman or whatever - all on the public purse and in some way doing Oireachtas business...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Dáil Reform (18 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not aware that we are. I am not quite clear on it but I will get an answer to Deputy Boyd Barrett from the Chief Whip. I am sorry. I was not at that meeting and I do not know.

Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions: Motion (18 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move:That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 9 March, 2011, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, or in the Order of the Dáil of 13 June, 2013, Questions for oral answer, following those next set down to the Minister for Education and Skills, shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fishing Rights (18 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ownership of fishery rights, as distinct from ownership of the bed and soil of a river or lake, is a property right set out in relevant title or other relevant documents. In consequence, as the Deputy will appreciate, the complexity of the ownership of fishing rights means that the position varies from lake to lake. The owners of fishing rights and their agents have a right to reasonable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Angling Restrictions (25 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland manages salmon stocks generally on an individual river basis due to the fact that each river contains a genetically unique stock, which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river in adulthood to spawn. The conservation imperative means that exploitation of salmon of each river is only permitted where the independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) for Salmon...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (25 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The annual allocation of public licences for commercial draft nets is governed by the provisions of the relevant Control of Fishing for Salmon Order. The issuing of licences is administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and the decision on licence allocations were made in advance of the season which commenced on the 12th May. Any person over the age of 18 is entitled to apply for a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (25 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I can advise the Deputy that the Control of Fishing for Salmon order provides for a nominee on a commercial salmon fishing licence. In the event that the licence holder is unable to fish, the nominee may fish the licence on their behalf provided the licence holder is medically unfit to fish the licence and can provide medical evidence to that effect. The Licence holder can seek to have a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Environmental Policy (25 Jun 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The matters raised by the Deputy regarding ownership of a site and monitoring of environmental emissions are matters which fall outside the scope of my statutory remit. My role, pursuant to the Minerals Development Act 1960, extends to the licensing of petroleum exploration activities, including granting consent to the drilling of petroleum exploration and production wells. The Dowra 2...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (2 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a thabhairt do chlann Phádraig Ó Fachtna, a bhean chéile, Kitty, agus a chlann uilig. Bhí aithne mhaith agam ar Phádraig le tamall fada. Bhí an-suim ar fad aige i gcursaí Gaeilge ach go háirithe. Is minic agus is mó an chaint a bhí agam leis, de ghnáth as Gaeilge. Bhí an suim aige sa...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Services (3 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and I ask her to accept the apologies of the Minister for Health and the Ministers of State at that Department. Like Deputy Murphy, I extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased. The loss of a loved one is hard for family and friends at any time, but a sudden and unexpected death is particularly difficult. The response of the HSE...

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Services (3 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I again acknowledge what the Deputy has stated and assure her the questions she has asked will be brought to the attention of the Minister for Health. I do not have the expertise or the specific knowledge she requests but I have no doubt it will be made available to her as soon as possible. I will ask immediately whether it is possible and I appreciate the Deputy accepting this explanation.

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (3 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies for bringing this matter to my attention. As they pointed out, I am very happy to meet them at any stage, in particular as we are from the same town. I have met all of the angling organisations in the county of Louth in Ardee and Drogheda on Friday afternoons and Wednesday nights.

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (3 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to be perfectly clear because I wish to be specific on the matter. Ciaran Byrne, chief executive officer of Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, has always made himself available to everyone concerned. He has visited on Friday afternoons and on Wednesdays. He has gone to Dundalk. His senior management team has met on a number of occasions with interested parties. The first point is very...

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (3 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will respond in more detail as I am entitled to a further two minutes following the supplementary questions. I do not know whether the Deputies have my reply but it contains facts and figures. We must be clear on the issue.

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (3 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would be very happy to ensure a formal response is made. The clarity is in the figures. In terms of opening a river for catch-and-keep fishing, the Flurry river is at 23% of its conservation limit, which is well below the required level. Even if only every second fish was being counted, the level would only be at 46%, which is not even half the level required to catch and keep fish. We...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 25 - Environment, Community and Local Government (Revised) (9 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the opportunity to discuss with the sub-committee the water services component of the 2013 Estimate. The Estimate demonstrates the high priority given to water services despite the financial constraints. A provision of nearly €326 million is being made available for this purpose. Of this, over €286 million is allocated to implementing the Water Services Investment...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 25 - Environment, Community and Local Government (Revised) (9 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Stanley asked when the cost of the water metering would be known. To say anything about this before the procurement process is finalised could prejudice the cost.