Results 7,061-7,080 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Penrose for his views and I assure him that I will bring them to the Minister. In 2012, revenue earned from Government business amounted to over €179 million, consisting of mails income at €50 million; election and referendum, €4 million; Department of Social Protection, €59 million; NTMA, €54 million; television and dog licences, €12...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: At its own initiative the Europeam Commission has issued a Recommendation providing minimum principles for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons (especially shale gas) by means of high volume hydraulic fracturing. This Recommendation was included as part of a set of proposals published by the Commission on 22 January, 2014 and is available on the Commission's website. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have stated on a number of occasions that I do not propose to consider applications for petroleum authorisations in respect of projects proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing until the EPA Research Programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings. In November of last year the EPA launched a call for tenders, with the selection process to conclude by March this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Industry Data (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: There have been no commercial discoveries of oil or gas within the territory of the State in the last five years. However, Ireland now has the highest number of petroleum exploration authorisations in place since exploration began in our offshore more than four decades ago. With new company entrants in 2013 including large independent oil companies such as Cairn Energy, Kosmos Energy and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Hardship Scheme (4 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland’s salmon rivers are managed on an individual basis by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) as each salmon river has a genetically unique stock. Management is based on the advice of the Independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) for Salmon. Available surpluses (if any) in each river are calculated annually for each individual river based on the scientific analysis and managerial...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Stocks (4 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the 2007 EU Eel regulation (1100/2007). The plan outlined the following main management actions aimed at reducing eel mortality and increasing silver eel escapement to the sea: a cessation of the commercial eel fishery and closure of the market, mitigation of the impact of hydropower installations, ensure upstream...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (4 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have stated on a number of occasions that I do not propose to consider applications for petroleum authorisations in respect of projects proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing until the EPA Research Programme has concluded and there has been time to consider the findings. In November of last year, the EPA launched a call for tenders to appoint the relevant expertise to conduct detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (4 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Three onshore licensing options were granted in the term of the previous Government for the two year period from 1 March 2011 to 28 February 2013, over parts of the North West Carboniferous (Lough Allen) Basin and parts of County Clare. The licensing options conferred upon the holder the first right, exercisable at any time during the period of the option, to an application for an exploration...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (4 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Question Nos 398 to 402, inclusive, together. I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that there is no proposal to establish an interpretative centre at Cong, Co Mayo. IFI owns and operates a fish hatchery located in the centre of Cong, and is currently carrying out a review of hatchery operations generally with a view to rationalising and improving efficiency and...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Flood Prevention Measures (5 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Clune for raising this important matter. I apologise for the absence of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, who is unable to be present. I will bring the Senator's comments to his attention. The Government is acutely aware of the flooding situation in Cork city and surrounding areas. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has visited the city on many occasions in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Flood Prevention Measures (5 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am happy to bring the Senator's comments to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and his officials. This work must be done properly and as quickly as possible. I assure the Senator that the Minister of State is aware of her views on expediting the work.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Stocks (11 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 19 of 30 January 2014 and 376 of 4 February 2014. With regard to the Waterford region, I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that the advice from Ireland's scientists on the independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) for Eels does not support any assertion that stocks "in the Suir and Barrow could sustain a commercial harvest”. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fishing Vessel Licences (11 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Salmon stocks in Ireland are assessed on an individual river basis because each river contains a genetically unique stock. The annual assessment is carried out by the independent Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon and underpins management decisions for the coming season. Following scientific assessment and management advice, the surplus (if any) available in each river is established...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Strategy Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: My Department is currently finalising a Bioenergy Strategy, with a view publishing it as soon as possible. The strategy will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that a sustainable bioenergy sector could make to achieving the 2020 renewable energy target for Ireland. A strong bioenergy sector could also make important contributions to a wide range of Government policy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Proposed Legislation (11 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer the Deputy to my previous replies on this matter, the most recent being on 30 January. These responses comprehensively address the issues raised by the Deputy. On the issue of consultation, as part of the review of the Inland Fisheries legislation, I organised a series of public information and consultation meetings (Drogheda, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tuam, Clonmel and Dublin). In...

Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Projects (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sheol mé uirthi blianta fada ó shin.

Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Projects (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis na Teachtaí a chur an díospóireacht seo faoi bhráid na Dála. Tuigim na fadhbanna atá luaite acu. Glacaim leis go bhfuil cúis an-mhaith ann go bhfuil díospóireacht anseo ar an ábhar seo. Tá mé ag caint anseo thar ceann an Aire. Níl sé anseo. Ní féidir liom...

Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Projects (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Glacaim leis an méid atá ráite ag na Teachtaí. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall a chinntiú go dtarlóidh an cruinniú sin chomh luath agus is féidir. I accept what Deputy Ó Cuív is saying and the genuineness of his views. I will express them to the Minister and the Department immediately and seek a meeting with the accountable bodies,...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy O'Donovan for bringing this matter before the House. As he rightly points out, the recent extreme weather events have been unprecedented. The impacts in terms of flooding, damage to property, infrastructure and land have been severe, with many locations being adversely affected on more than one occasion, causing undue hardship for many citizens. While the recent extreme...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I acknowledge the issues raised by the Deputy and I will ensure the Minister and the Department are made aware of them. The Government has responded quickly to recent weather events. A total of €25 million has been available to flooding victims and it will be administered by the Department of Social Protection to deal with the immediate, significant and serious causes of hardship and...