Results 7,241-7,260 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Stocks (10 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos 358, 363, 364, 366 and 367 together. I would also draw the Deputies’ attention to the response to question number 486 of 27 May last which addressed comprehensively many of the relevant issues. The scientific advice for eels, which underpinned Ireland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP) under the EU Eel regulation (1100/2007), and the comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland (10 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The principal functions of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) are set out at Section 7 (1) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, which are the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. The Act, in defining the membership of IFI provides that the persons to be appointed shall have experience or capacity in one or more areas defined in the Act; and that they shall be...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer to the reply to Question No. 437 of 13 May which addressed the issues the Deputy is raising. I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland 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 and important research into the effects of sea lice from marine salmon farms on salmon...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that in accordance with the manner in which social media works, Inland Fisheries Ireland or indeed any public body is not in a position to edit or control the content of external Facebook pages and cannot take responsibility for the content of private social media pages. The Deputy’s concern regarding “the use of social media by all State bodies” has a far...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together. I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that the independent Standing Scientific Committee on Salmon has emphasised the value of having reliable information to provide a population estimate to support the conservation management of wild salmon on an individual river basis. This independent Committee includes Scientists from IFI,...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: The engagement of consultants is a day-to-day operational matter for Public Bodies, in this instance Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I am advised that IFI has not engaged communications consultants specifically for the purpose outlined by the Deputy. Since its establishment in 2010, IFI, having regard to the range of both recreational and commercial fishing interests, the wide geographical...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: There was no omission from the list already requested and supplied to the Deputy and the issue of correcting the record does not arise. The SUMBAWS project was an EU project and was coordinated by the University of St Andrews, Scotland. The final SUMBAWS report, based on research carried out in a number of countries including Ireland, was compiled by the University who then submitted the...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: The matter raised by the Deputy is a day-to-day operational issue for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). Any further clarification on the matter should be sought directly from IFI. I am advised by IFI that it has in place a Code of Business Conduct for Employees in line with the 2009 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. I am informed that the Code was circulated to all...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland’s energy policies recognise the importance of waste as an energy resource and both the AER and REFIT schemes support electricity generated from anaerobic digestion, landfill gas and the biodegradable element of municipal solid waste. These technologies are already making a contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy targets. To date there is one plant in the State...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is not this side of the House which decides how Priority Questions are grouped.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, it is not and I am sorry that it happened.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 5 together. The status of the unconventional exploration and extraction industry in other jurisdictions is a matter for the authorities in those jurisdictions and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the government policies of other countries. We are, of course, aware of reports on last year's floods in Colorado and the public debate and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not aware of the document the Deputy has available and if he gives me a copy of it afterwards, I will be happy to examine the issues about which he is clearly concerned. The bottom line is that the Government will not allow fracking to take place. The EPA's report will have to be to hand before decisions can be made on it. The report is at least two years away and, when published, it...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to reassure the Deputy that the EPA study is examining each and every issue that he has raised. It is also looking at other jurisdictions where fracking has taken place and where there have been incidents. All of that scientific knowledge will be included in the examination. I have a report on what happened in Colorado. If the Deputy wants me to read it out, I will certainly do...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will be happy to have the Deputy's report examined for clarity on that issue.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, of course.

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am going to respond to the actual question the Deputy tabled for reply. I will obtain and forward to her the further information she is seeking as soon as possible. As she noted, the key point is that nothing can happen in respect of fracking in this country until the EPA submits its report in 2016. It will then be a matter for the Government of the day to decide what will happen because...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to make it clear that my initial reply was to the original question tabled by the Deputy. I will be happy to obtain for her an answer in respect of the new question she has posed. The Minister and I do not believe that the Deputy's very important question is not actually relevant to our brief at present, but I wish to reassure her that I will obtain for her a complete answer in...

Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Order for Second Stage (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the opportunity to introduce Second Stage of the Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014. The Bill has two main objectives: first, to provide for the dissolution of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, and transfer its functions to the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and, second, to...