Results 861-880 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd
- Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (8 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: Question 187: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Louth will have an earlier appointment for a CT scan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4537/06]
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: Question 225: To ask the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Louth who has to move to a bungalow for medical reasons will have the stamp duty waived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4526/06]
- Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (8 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: Question 308: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will provide a full detailed reply to Question No. 224 of 24 November 2005. [4514/06]
- Proposed Legislation. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: Question 102: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the legislation he intends to bring forward to address the issue of corruption at local government level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5794/06]
- Proposed Legislation. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister for his response. However, Mr. Justice Smith, the Chairman of the Standards in Public Office Commission, commented in the 2004 annual report on the fact that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government did not take on board the views of the commission at that time. He stated that effective whistle-blowers' legislation should be in place to promote...
- Proposed Legislation. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: I do not accept the Minister has taken on board the proposals. A whistle-blowers' charter was called for. We have been talking about it since 1999 and it has not happened yet. The Minister is clearly not committing to it now. While welcoming the code of ethics for both employees and elected members of local government, in England there is a standards board which examines confidence in local...
- Proposed Legislation. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: This is the Government that has closed down the Freedom of Information Act. Will the Minister think again about closing down transparency and openness in public life in Ireland, which he continues to do?
- Proposed Legislation. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister need not bother.
- Waste Management. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister got rid of the former.
- National Spatial Strategy. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the Minister's response. I am not being rude but I cannot hear the Minister clearly. It may be the way the sound is being transmitted. It is distorted on this side.
- National Spatial Strategy. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: It might be my earphones. Perhaps the Minister should move to the Taoiseach's position.
- National Spatial Strategy. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: I suggest we need somebody there at whom we can have a good laugh. I say that as a joke. I welcome the Minister's comments although I did not hear them all clearly. However, I note that he mentioned a report that he has commissioned and which will be ready shortly. I ask the Minister to put it in the public domain as soon as possible. I welcome his commitment on the North-South issue of...
- Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Twomey made some important and specific points which, I hope, will be dealt with in the context of the legislation. The points he raised must be addressed immediately. Under the current system, Members are informed about legislation on a Thursday and it is introduced on the following Tuesday. We should be given the opportunity reflect for a longer period on legislation â which I...
- Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: It would be of assistance if Members were given two weeks notice before Bills are published so that we might research them properly. It will benefit the debate if we have time to study legislation. I welcome the contact I have had from the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and others in the short time we have known about this Bill. Those to whom I refer provided me with important...
- Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: Those who enforce the legislation feel that certification cannot be issued retrospectively. An adequate system must be put in place before building commences in order to ensure that it is safe for everyone. The changes proposed by the Minister in the context of the recognition of the professional qualifications of architects, engineers or surveyors are important and welcome. The professional...
- Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: That is my point.
- Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: That would not be too bad for someone who was Minister for Finance. More emphasis should be placed on interviewing applicants for such a career. Many young people wish to attain the highest standards in the context of professions into which they wish to enter. They wish to be doctors, architects, teachers, etc., but may not achieve the required points. However, they may have shown an interest...
- Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: He has two daysââ
- Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: The Ceann Comhairle should throw him out of the House.
- Rent Supplement: Motion. (14 Feb 2006)
Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy McCormack raised the administration of the disabled person's scheme. In that connection, I thank God for the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, who recently overturned the decision of a local authority in County Louth to refuse disabled person's grant to a mentally ill person because it failed to take into account the serious problems the person faced. More intervention is needed in terms...