Results 7,001-7,020 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I hope I am not in the water cabinet.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would like to give my one-minute reply. I have heard everything that has been said here. It is very important that we on this side of the House reflect on what Deputy Naughten has said on those issues. I see him smiling. Through this legislation, the Minister has and will have the power to direct both the CER and Irish Water, if appropriate, to use this power and, where supplies are...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Charges Introduction (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom athbhliain faoi shonas a ghuí ar gach duine sa Teach. I am replying on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, who is currently dealing with legislation in the Seanad. I convey his apologies to the House. The programme for Government contains a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Charges Introduction (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Phelan for her comments which are very important. She is absolutely correct that a consultation process which includes listening to people and making them aware of the issues, is the only way forward. This is our job for the next year. The Commission for Energy Regulation will undertake the consultation process but Members will be fully engaged in the process. I can assure...

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to share time with Deputies Tom Barry and Michelle Mulherin.

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 1:"To delete all words after "That Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:- notes the critical importance of water services to the social and economic well-being of the State and it citizens, and the vital part that a strong water services system plays in attracting investment and promoting economic growth; - welcomes the establishment of Irish Water as...

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt Deputies opposite and I ask that they afford me the same courtesy. The Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, gave that commitment in November last year, an undertaking I reiterated during the debate in the Seanad. In addition, the Taoiseach indicated today that not only would the freedom of information provisions apply to Irish Water but they would be retrospective to the...

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Irish Water is a commercial State body within the BGE group and all the normal governance and accountability rules which apply to commercial bodies - such as requirements for ministerial consent to enter into capital commitments and raise borrowing and requirements on the provision of annual reports and accounts - also apply to it. The legislation under which Irish Water was established...

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: That said, the Minister, Deputy Hogan, has asked that the Department put in place an appropriate arrangement to provide a mechanism for Deputies to obtain details of the establishment costs of Irish Water in future. In the context of the programme budget for the establishment of Uisce Éireann, the Minister, Deputy Hogan, sought the advice of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER,...

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The statement made by Deputy Keaveney, formerly of the Labour Party, relates to a very serious issue. I wish to assure the Deputy and the House that the transcript of his statement will be brought to the attention of the Minister and the Secretary General and all other appropriate persons. It is very serious and must be dealt with immediately. The establishment of Irish Water as a fully...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the state Agency responsible for the Inland Fisheries Resource, that the River Fergus is currently closed to salmon angling as the most recent available salmon stock information derived from rod catch returns indicates that the river is not meeting its conservation limit. I am also advised that the conservation limit for the River Fergus is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Biofuel Obligation Scheme Targets (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government shares the concerns expressed that biofuel production and its use, unless properly regulated, may not deliver the required greenhouse gas savings and could impact negatively on food production and on food prices. Throughout discussions on the European Commission's proposal to address the risk of indirect land-use change (ILUC), which have been ongoing for almost a year at this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Onshore Exploration (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: With regard to the broader issue of unconventional gas exploration, officials in my Department have had regular contacts with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in relation to onshore exploration authorisations in the two jurisdictions. These contacts have facilitated an exchange of information in relation to the nature of the activities that have been licensed and their associated...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Management Report (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis. This management is carried out by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the State Agency with statutory responsibility for inland fisheries. This is based on the fact that each of Ireland’s 142 salmon rivers has its own genetically unique stock of salmon which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river in adulthood...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The grant of these three Onshore Licensing Options was made subject to compliance with the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production 2007 and in particular with Section 44(2) of the Licensing Terms which requires the holder of an authorisation, in this instance an Onshore Licensing Option, to "at all times keep the Minister effectually indemnified...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Regulation (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together. The legislative code governing inland fisheries is contained in 13 separate Acts which date back to 1959 and there is a need at this stage for consolidation and modernisation of the code. My Department, working closely with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), is finalising a wide-ranging and comprehensive review of the existing legislation...

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2014: First Stage (16 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Bill is not being opposed.

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014: First Stage (16 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: No.

Irish Water: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (16 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is not true. The Department did not get back to me. The Deputy should be factual.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Angling Season (16 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer to the reply to Questions No. 456 and on 15 January which fully addresses the issue raised by the Deputy. I have already made it absolutely clear that no proposal was made by me or my Department to introduce a "rod licence", nor is it intended to introduce such a licence.