Results 7,081-7,100 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I assure him that his comments will be brought to his attention directly. An Post is committed to a strong and viable post office network and supports the maintenance of the maximum number of economically viable post offices. The commercial operation of...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure the Deputy that I will bring his comments to the attention of the Minister and the Department. I fully appreciate his concerns with regard to the people who live in the Barnaderg area of his constituency and the threat to their local post office.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Emergency Plan Implementation (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland lies in a geologically stable part of the world, far removed from active plate tectonic boundaries. Tsunami-generating earthquakes have occurred in the wider north Atlantic region and hazard assessments by the Geological Survey of Ireland indicate that there is a small threat to Ireland from such events. Tsunami threats to Ireland include; a repeat of the 1755 magnitude 8.6 Lisbon...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: North-South Interconnector Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Detailed studies have been conducted for the project, most recently by the Independent International Commission of Experts appointed in July 2011 which reported in February 2012. An earlier route-specific underground analysis was also conducted by PB Power. Further detailed information on the matter is available from EirGrid. EirGrid has set up a telephone “hotline" to allow...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Officials in my Department and I meet with TG4 on a regular basis to discuss a range of policy and Corporate Governance matters; most recently my officials met with TG4 in January of this year. These meetings are supplemented by frequent informal communications. Discussions occasionally include TG4's HD carriage on Saorview, notwithstanding the commercial nature of any such decisions and the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Flood Prevention Measures (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that the site referred to by the Deputy is located in the tidal section of the Laune river and is within the Natura 2000 designated Special Area Of Conservation of the Castlemaine Harbour. Development or works on the foreshore in this area are subject to the requirements of the Foreshore Act and are also a notifiable action under the EU Habitats Directive. Both the Act and the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Flood Prevention Measures (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that he site referred to by the Deputy is in the tidal section of the Feale (Cashen) River in the Shannon River Water Basin District. Development or works on the tidal (foreshore) area are subject to the requirements of the Foreshore Act which is under the remit of the Department of Environment Community and Local Government. I am further advised that site is also included in the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Waterways Maintenance (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that, on request from a landowner, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) will discuss their requirements and/or concerns to assist in alleviating any issues and to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation within the Fisheries Acts . I am also advised that there are locations where the requirements of EU Habitats Directive, in respect of certain species and their habitat, would...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The enforcement of bye law 533 of 1966 is exercised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I am advised by IFI that, on an operational basis, the bye-law is construed as prohibiting snorkelling to target shellfish. Interpretation of the bye law would be a matter for the Courts.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Programmes (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The matter is not one for which my Department has responsibility, nor has any voted allocation ever been provided to my Department or its Agencies in respect of same. I am advised that the proposed project is being led by Ballina Town Council and enquiries as regards to its prioritisation and the anticipated timeframe for any delivery should be addressed directly to the Council. I also...

Recent Flooding: Statements (Resumed) (19 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: He is just in time.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Haulage Industry Regulation (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Gabhaim buíochas don Seanadóir as ucht na ceiste seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Tá me ag tabhairt freagra thar cheann an Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt, an Teachta Varadkar. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir, tá cruinniú aige inniu leis an Aire i Sasana. Since 1999 various EU directives have set common rules on distance related tolls...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Haulage Industry Regulation (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator for his comments and I shall relay them to the Minister.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Inter-Country Adoptions (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Colm Burke for bringing the matter before the House. I am taking the matter on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The Republic of India has ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption. As a contracting state under the Hague Convention, the Adoption Act 2010 provides that adoptions by Irish...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Inter-Country Adoptions (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is what the Minister has written. I will take that issue up with her.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Inter-Country Adoptions (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will make the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, aware of Senator Burke's comments.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Building Regulations Amendments (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator Daly for bringing this issue before the House. I take this debate on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan. The new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Building Regulations Amendments (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Daly for his comments. I assure him that I agree that the question asked must be answered. I regret that this has not been the case. I will take it up as a matter of urgency with the Department. It takes time and effort to raise a matter on the Adjournment and it should be answered in a direct way.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Youth Services Funding (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Reilly for raising this matter, which I will take on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. The Minister is conscious of the great benefits that can accrue to young people from involvement in youth work and the benefits for society as a whole. Youth projects and organisations present valuable opportunities to young people for their...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (25 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together. The Department of Agriculture Food and Marine (DAFM) is the lead Department as regards the re-opened pilot case concerning finfish aquaculture and I am advised that DAFM sought the observations of my Department on 7 January and observations were returned ahead of the deadline of 15 January. Further observations were subsequently sought...