Results 9,921-9,940 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I must read the privilege note. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Everybody is watching on the monitors.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is fine. I explained that the Minister for Health is answering questions in the Dáil and different Members must speak.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: That would be safer.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Absolutely. If Deputy Munster is finished I will call on Deputy Barry and then Senator John Dolan. With respect to Senator Dolan, Deputy Barry had been asking a question in the Dáil Chamber. Deputy Barry was here earlier.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: In fairness to Mr. Barry, he has already said he has no policy in that regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is very clear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Somebody's phone is on or is very close to the microphone.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Fear not. It means we can record the Senator properly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Could I ask a question, if it is helpful? In his reply, if information on the policy on those issues is not available today, will Mr. Barry indicate that he will come back to the committee about it? We could have that as a definite item for discussion at our next meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I think it is hugely important. I hope I am not interrupting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am looking at part of the NTA's website. I am not certain I have the right one, but I think I do. It was last updated in 2013 and talks about policy documents with regard to travel planning guidance for the workplace and for local authorities, but disability is not mentioned. I acknowledge Mr. Barry's commitment to take it up and think we should have a meeting about it once we get his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have a couple of questions. I want to acknowledge Mr. Barry's huge knowledge, broad range of talents and his capacity to do the job that he has been asked to do. I am concerned about the future, as he is. The national planning framework for 2040 is hugely important, particularly with regard to investment and transport infrastructure. I understand that Mr. Barry's role includes strategic...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: When that plan is fleshed out a bit more, we will continue to meet with Mr. Barry about the views of the Oireachtas and his own views.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: A problem I have, which I know Mr. Barry will appreciate, is that the greater Dublin area, while it includes County Louth, runs as far as the south side of the town of Drogheda, so we are particularly disadvantaged because we are not in that area. No doubt Mr. Barry would agree with that. As Dublin, the towns and hopefully the cities around it develop, that greater Dublin area definition...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: A point made to us was the question of, going back to Mr. Barry's National Roads Authority role, an outer orbital route around Dublin. Is that in Mr. Barry's remit?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: There was to be a new port development at the time which would significantly change the pattern of port transport in and out of the city. I appreciate Mr. Barry has not sat at the desk yet but what will his role in that be on all those issues?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: The NTA has a role with regard to the plans themselves.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: How will the NTA form those views?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: With respect, I have to acknowledge the fact that, and the witness could not have known this, they would have to have been in by last Friday.