Results 9,741-9,760 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: European Transport Sector: Discussion with European Commissioner (19 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: We are very short on time, but Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh did not get a chance to put a question to the Commissioner.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: European Transport Sector: Discussion with European Commissioner (19 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am worried about the Commissioner's timetable, but I am happy to proceed as she wishes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: European Transport Sector: Discussion with European Commissioner (19 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Before asking Ms Bulc to respond to Deputy Imelda Munster's query, does Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh wish to ask a quick question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: European Transport Sector: Discussion with European Commissioner (19 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: In fairness, we have managed to find time for the Senator.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: European Transport Sector: Discussion with European Commissioner (19 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Will Deputy Imelda Munster reiterate her query?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: European Transport Sector: Discussion with European Commissioner (19 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Commissioner and her delegation for their constructive and positive engagement with the committee. We thank her for attending the meeting and her responses to members' queries. I understand several members hope to put additional questions to the Commissioner after the meeting.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: In a previous job I was looking at statistics on the number of persons per household nationally. I think most fall within the range of less than three persons per household. A significant percentage of households consist of less than four persons. I understand that single adult households are deemed to be the people most vulnerable in terms of water use in particular. How is it proposed...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I appreciate what the Minister said and support the Bill. However, I am still not clear on the use of the word "ordinary". It is addressed in some respects in the next couple of pages, but what if somebody wishes to frustrate the intentions of the legislation? It will be necessary to check on people. For example, I might say there are seven people living in a house when there might only...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have a question about page 27, lines 15 to 20. I have concerns about Ervia being mentioned in this legislation.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Subsection (3), which sets out the powers of the advisory body. It reads: "The Advisory Body shall, in so far as is consistent with the proper performance of its functions, endeavour to secure administrative cooperation between it and the Commission, the Agency, Ervia". Ervia is a separate company and should have nothing to do with Irish Water. It is a parallel company, but I would be...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have made a point about this matter consistently. Irish Water is a stand-alone company. Ervia may have some role or supply services, but those must be contracted into Irish Water. I am not opposing any section. I just want to reiterate my concern that Ervia should have nothing whatsoever to do with any decision on Irish Water. That was the recommendation of the initial consultancy...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: The point is that Ervia has no role.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is separate in every respect.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is separate in the context of the board of Irish Water being a separate board. Is it not?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I know that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Fair enough. I will not oppose the section, but I am concerned about Ervia having anything to do with Irish Water.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2017: Committee Stage (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: When is Report Stage likely to be taken?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Joint Committee (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Apologies have been received from Senator Ned O'Sullivan, as well as Seanadóir Pádraig Ó Céidigh. Dúirt sé go ndéanfadh sé a dhícheall a bheith anseo ach b'fhéidir nach mbeidh se in ann toisc go bhfuil dhá choinne eile aige. I propose that we go into private session to deal with some housekeeping matters. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus: Chairpersons Designate (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: This meeting is an engagement with the chairpersons designate of three of the country's largest public transport providers. I welcome Mr. Frank Allen, chairperson designate of Irish Rail, Mr. Ultan Courtney, chairperson designate of Dublin Bus and Mr. Aidan Murphy, chairperson designate of Bus Éireann. They are all very welcome. I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus: Chairpersons Designate (25 Oct 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Mr. Courtney. I call Mr. Aidan Murphy, chairperson designate of Bus Éireann, to make his statement.