Results 7,121-7,140 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Officials from my Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and Kilkenny County Council met recently with Galmoy Mines Ltd, representatives of the parent company Lundin Mining, and their expert hydrogeological and geotechnical support, to review initial investigations into the recent appearance of a sinkhole on farmland overlying part of the former underground workings of Galmoy mine....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (11 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Following a public procurement process, my Department has selected international oil and gas experts Wood Mackenzie to advise on the “fitness-for-purpose” of Ireland’s current oil and gas fiscal terms. In 2013 there was no commercial production of oil in the Irish offshore, however the total gross production from gas fields, namely the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I can to confirm that there are no drilling consents extant in respect of the Irish offshore. There are 27 petroleum exploration licences extant in respect of the Irish offshore and it is expected that the holders of at least one of these licences will submit a drilling consent application to my Department during the course of 2014.

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

Fergus O'Dowd: The cost of drilling an offshore exploration well is determined by a number of factors including the market rate for drilling rigs, duration of the well programme, water depth and remoteness of location. Exploring offshore the west coast of Ireland is expensive relative to other petroleum producing areas due of its remoteness and deep water depths. For example, in the Atlantic Margin water...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences Numbers (11 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each year between 2004 and 2014 are set out in the table. Licences granted during period 2004 – 2014 (to 5 March 2014) Year Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Petroleum Exploration Licences 2004 26 3 2005 51 7 2006 84 4 2007 143 5 2008 91 5 2009 66 1 2010 93 0 2011 98 2 2012 102 0 2013...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sex Offenders Treatment Programme (11 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter. He apologises that he is unavoidably absent for this important issue. In the management of sex offenders, the focus of the work is multifaceted and involves both the assessment of the risk of re-offending and the monitoring of compliance with relevant court supervision orders. While in prison, a...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sex Offenders Treatment Programme (11 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: As I am not the line Minister, I will make sure that the Minister for Justice and Equality will respond directly to the Senator’s questions. The management of sex offenders is taken seriously and the Department undertook a wide-ranging review of the law in December 2013. On foot of this review, the Government recently approved the Minister’s proposals for the drafting of a new...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sex Offenders Treatment Programme (11 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí as ucht an díospóireacht seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Glacaim go bhfuil tuairimí á nochtadh ar gach taobh ar an ábhar seo. Ar dtús, caithfidh mé ceist a chur ar Shinn Féin faoi cad atá siad i bhfabhar. An bhfuil siad i bhfabhar aon rud?

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Níor chuir mise isteach ar an Seanadóir ar chor ar bith.

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tuigim sin, ach tá súil agam go mbeidh an Seanadóir sásta éisteacht liom. Tá Sinn Féin i gcoinne gach rud, i gcoinne fracking, oil and gas, leictreachas a sholáthar do dhaoine, poist a chruthú.

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Má chuireann muid an méid sin go léir ar an mbille atá Sinn Féin ag tabhairt do mhuintir na hÉireann, níl sin sásúil. Caithfidh Sinn Féin féachaint arís ar na tuairimí atá á nochtadh aige. Maidir le cúrsaí pleanála, níl eolas cruinn agam maidir leis an scéal a d'inis an Seanadóir faoin...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: We need to ensure that if we can help each other in terms of energy that we do so. In particular, we need to develop regions that do not have the grid they need. This is a major task for all, whether North or South. We need the grid to ensure reliability of supply to businesses and households. We need it to take the power from where it is generated to where it is needed. We need to reduce...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: What is the Senator for?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Building Regulations Amendments (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Reilly for raising the issue, which I am happy to take on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Hogan. I am aware of the role and contribution made by architectural technologists in the design and construction of dwellings and other buildings. The recent building control amendment regulations empower competence and professionalism in construction activity and, as such, will increase...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government acknowledges that SMEs are the lifeblood of the Irish economy and play a crucial role in employment growth in our country. Since March 2011 Government policy has concentrated on ensuring that viable micro, small and medium sized enterprises have access to capital, equity and debt funding from a more diverse range of sources. Experience has shown us that not only do SMEs need...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Higgins for her comments and assure her that the statistics she presented earlier, which are very useful, as well as her views and comments will be brought to the attention of the Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (13 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. An increased deployment of sustainable biofuels will be necessary in order to achieve this target. Following concerns that the use of certain categories of biofuels could have Indirect Land-Use Change (ILUC) effects...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (25 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have made it clear on a number of occasions that any application for an exploration licence proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing as part of an unconventional gas exploration programme would be subject to a full environmental impact assessment. An environmental impact assessment, which requires public consultation as well as consultation with prescribed bodies, entails consideration of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (25 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: As I indicated in my response to Questions Nos. 240 and 241 of 4 March 2014, all research completed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), since its establishment in 2010, is publicly available on the organisation's website . While the information sought prior to IFI’s establishment is not as readily available, I understand that, following my request outlined in my response to the...