Results 7,101-7,120 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Post Office Network: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (26 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government has listened carefully to all the points made by Members on all sides of the House during this important debate on the future sustainability of the post office network. It is clear to everyone that the passion with which all speakers have addressed the debate demonstrates the widespread regard, trust and loyalty for the nationwide network of post offices. Yesterday, the...

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Quinn for the work he has done in bringing the legislation to this stage. Out of respect for the House and its Members, it is important to set out clearly the Government's position on these amendments and on the Bill. It will be recalled that in 2011, the Government announced that it had decided not to proceed with legislation to abolish upward-only rent reviews. In that...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Development Companies Administration (26 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator for placing the matter before the House. I apologise for the delay in arriving here but Senators moved faster than anticipated.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Development Companies Administration (26 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The approach that the Minister is pursuing, regarding the enhanced alignment between local government and local development, is part of the Government approved local government reforms contained in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government. His aim is to bring about greater co-ordination and targeting of scarce resources, reduce duplication and to provide a more...

Protection of Residential Mortgage Account Holders Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to share time with Deputies Maloney and Lawlor. I welcome the opportunity afforded by this Bill to explore the issues raised by the sale of loans books by regulated entities to entities that are not regulated. I consider this an opportune and timely intervention given the context of the upcoming sale of the IBRC loan book. I am fully aware of the concern among mortgage account...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand that the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a voluntary international standard which aims to ensure transparency of payments from natural resources. Chapter 10 of Directive 2013/43/EU of 26 June 2013, also known as the Accounting Directive, introduces an obligation on large undertakings and all public-interest entities active in the extractive industries or...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland has a very clear strategy in respect of the Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration sector, key elements of which are: to seek to maximise the benefits to the people of Ireland from its indigenous natural resources; to provide opportunities and encourage private industry to take the risk associated with investing in exploration; to take initiatives to deepen knowledge of the potential of its...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) was established in July 2010. All research completed by IFI from that date are publically available on the organisation's website The information sought for the period prior to July 2010 is not readily available. I have, however, asked IFI to liaise directly with the Deputy in this matter to determine...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together. The exercise of its functions are day-to-day operational matters for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I am advised by IFI that it carries out these functions in compliance with the requirements of all relevant EU and National legislative provisions. I am also advised that IFI operates to it's Corporate Plan 2011-15. This plan was set...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Responsibility for protecting the freshwater pearl mussel falls within the remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that their management of River Basin Districts involves on-going liaison with the NPWS to ensure consistency in terms of the responsibilities of both bodies having regard to the protection of freshwater pearl mussels.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Social Welfare Offices (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator for bringing this matter before the House and I appreciate his brevity in putting forward his case. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes. I am pleased to have an opportunity to brief the House on the plans by the Department of Social Protection to integrate its services in Bantry, to which end it will be working closely with the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Social Welfare Offices (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will tell him the Senator said that.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Social Welfare Offices (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator, who is also Leas-Chathaoirleach of this House. He is always extremely helpful when I come here.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (Resumed) (5 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: That sounds like a politician on the Opposition side.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (Resumed) (6 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: He sold them the week before.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (Resumed) (6 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a very important debate, one that transcends each Department because it is all about the collective performance of the Government and the collective changes made. This brings us to the most important issue, employment. The key issue raised by Deputy Finian McGrath was job creation. Where the Government is working most of all is in creating new employment. This week some 62,000...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection Agency Expenditure (11 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: While the EPA is managing the study into the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing under the STRIVE programme, the research programme is being co-funded by the EPA, my own Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. While the call for tenders for the appointment of the appropriate expertise to carry out the research programme has been completed, the appraisal of...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Fish counters are a component element of the assessment array in use by the independent Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon. In carrying out salmon stock assessments the Committee draws on a number of data sets including rod and commercial catch data, fish counters and catchment wide electro-fishing. Salmon stocks are assessed in the majority of rivers using salmon rod catch data. These...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: The establishment of IFI has facilitated more efficient and effective management of the inland fisheries resource along with an enhanced national perspective in the formulation of relevant policy which is more streamlined, coherent and integrated. Since its establishment IFI has developed innovative technologies and working methods to create cost efficiencies with no loss of operational...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (11 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: As I indicated in reply to Question No. 19 [4297/14] of 30 January last, surplus elver recruits were not identified in scientific reviews as regards Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) for the 2012-2015 period to facilitate a stocking programme. Because of this and for the other reasons set out in that reply, stocking is not included as a management action in Ireland’s Eel Management...