Results 7,201-7,220 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: People are giving out more about Fianna Fáil than anything else.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Thank you-----

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Chair for the opportunity to speak. I would like to address some of the issues raised and to mention that I have heard some very important points tonight, particularly from my colleague, Deputy Kirk. A number of constructive points have been made, all of which bear thinking about. This is the sort of debate we need in the context of how we can change things for the better.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am sorry; I did not interrupt anybody.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am trying to concentrate on the very positive, constructive contributions made by Deputy Kirk and others on the other side of the House and to respond in like manner. There is now a great deal of clarity on the situation regarding domestic water charges. There has been a rigorous analysis of the funding model to ensure we have a system which is fair and efficient and provides an incentive...

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want my time back for that roar.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: As I said, in essence, this results in free water for children. I believe these are very progressive and good rules, regulations and legislation which mean that children's consumption is actually free. Extensive consideration has also been given to providing supports to vulnerable households. In this regard, the Government has agreed on additional affordability measures to assist...

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a debate on a motion tabled by the Opposition, and the rules are as agreed by the Members of the House. Any questions that are asked in regard to other issues will be answered in due course by the process that we all agree on, which is called parliamentary questions. I suggest the Deputies table questions.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Irish Water is also making every effort to support households in paying their bills and has announced that it will introduce a range of payment options for customers. These will include an easy payment option for customers who wish to make regular payments of not less than €10 per transaction.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government is committed to ensuring that Irish Water serves the interests of all its customers. The regulator has been provided with statutory powers to act as the economic regulator. All of Irish Water's charges will be subject to regulatory approval and all the processes around that will be subject to approval. It is not what Irish Water wants to do; it is what the CER gives it the...

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The introduction of water charges is a very important step in creating a sustainable water utility. We need to ensure that the water system can provide adequate security of supply for employment and our towns and cities and to promote economic development. The people of Ireland deserve first-class water services and this Government is ensuring they will be delivered.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (8 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The allocation of commercial fishing licences is governed by the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order which identifies a number of categories of applicant depending on, inter alia, the applicant’s previous fishing history. The issuing of licences is administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The applications are considered by the Board of IFI and decisions are made in advance of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland Remit (8 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: As outlined in reply to Questions Nos 245 of 4 March and 111 of 16 April, responsibility for protecting freshwater pearl mussels is a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and there is on-going liaison with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in the context of their management of River Basin Districts to ensure consistency in the responsibilities of both Agencies. I am advised...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Stocks (8 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: As I stated in reply to Question No. 113 of 16 April, 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 under the 2010 Inland Fisheries Act. The individual river management strategy is based on the fact that each of Ireland’s 143 salmon...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Stocks (8 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand that a comprehensive schedule of research carried out by IFI for the period 2007-2013 has already been supplied to the Deputy. The written response to Question No 113 of 16 April last, contained a typographical error and should have read “I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland the information requested by the Deputy going back from 2006 to 2003 is not readily...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Hardship Scheme (8 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Salmon Hardship Scheme was introduced following a Government decision to cease the commercial salmon mixed stock fishery in the sea for conservation reasons. Under this scheme, €25m was targeted at commercial salmon fishermen who were active in the fishery at the time and funding was provided to fishermen for them to leave the fishery and diversify into new activity. It closed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fishing Vessel Licences (8 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. The annual allocation of public licences for commercial draft nets is governed by the provisions of the relevant Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, in this case Statutory Instrument (S.I.) No.132 of 2014. The administration of licence allocation is managed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in accordance with the criteria set out in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Biofuel Obligation Scheme Implementation (8 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Biofuel Obligation Scheme, which was introduced in July 2010, places an obligation on all road transport fuel suppliers to include a certain proportion of biofuel in their overall fuel mix. In order for biofuel to be eligible for inclusion in the scheme it must meet certain sustainability criteria as set out in the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive. That is, biofuels must not be made from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (13 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that The South Western River Basin District (SWRBD) ‘Managed Community Rainbow Trout fisheries’ programme is run as a community initiative and is not a commercial venture. Permit sales from these fisheries do not cover the operational costs. The budget allocated each year to this programme by IFI subsidises these fisheries for the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (13 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have undertaken a number of scientific releases of ranched salmon at the River Erriff research station (National Index Sea Trout Catchment) as part of ongoing research into the potential effects of sea lice from marine salmon farms on salmon smolt survival. Results from previous experimental releases have been published in peer reviewed...