Results 11,141-11,160 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I hope so. As a committee, we will formally forward the comments.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is hugely important that we forward the comments. I do not mind a joke here or there but this important matter is a serious one. I know that Members will wish to comment on it. It would be a good step for us to forward the comments; I do not mind if we convey them using a paper aeroplane, a paper trail or an electronic flight but they should be delivered immediately.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Did Senator O'Mahony ask about a conflict of interest?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: We should invite the Minister to attend a meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Just before Mr. Geoghegan answers and in order to be helpful, I suggest that we ask the Minister in to answer this question separately. Perhaps we will ask him to come in as soon as possible - in addition to the other communications we will be having with him - because this is a hugely important issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: In fairness to the Minister, if we are to ask him in to answer questions on all of those issues it would be fair, appropriate and proper that we do it as soon as we can. It would be fair to make those points to him directly. I do not expect Mr. Geoghegan to make a political comment on it. Glaoim ar an Seanadóir Pádraigh Ó Céidigh arís.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Not as Gaeilge though.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: He is a politician.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Mr. Geoghegan for his comprehensive replies. As someone who uses the airport frequently, I know it has lots of franchisees that supply goods at different costs. Sometimes I find if one is buying a litre or half a litre for water, one pays an arm and a leg for it. What price control exists? How does the DAA regulate the transparency of the charges and make sure they are fair and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: There might be but the ones I go to are not free.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is an issue, notwithstanding Mr. Geoghegan's excellent reply. It is a problem and some people are being ripped off. I have no doubt about that. I appreciate Mr. Geoghegan is not the CEO. Deputy O'Keeffe has invited us to visit Cork Airport in the future. I think it might be a good idea if we meet in Dublin Airport with the chief executive and tease out some of these issues. I will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: CIÉ and DAA: Chairpersons Designate (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Before I bring the session to a close I thank Ms Ross and Mr. Geoghegan for coming here and answering the questions in an open and transparent way. The bodies to which they will be appointed as chairperson will be served very well. The public will be very well served too by their capacity to deal with significant and complex issues. We are in good hands under their stewardships as chairpersons.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise to our witnesses who have been waiting and welcome them to the meeting. We started our meeting at 9.30 a.m. but we had other issues to deal with. Mr. Ciarán Delaney recommended that we invite the witnesses and we will call them in the following order: Ms Diane Hill, to be followed by Mr. Dermot O'Leary and then by Mr. Ciarán Delaney. I remind members, delegates and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Absolutely, that can be done.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The NTA is entitled to the respect of Mr. O'Leary and myself when referring to it. Referring to it as a "so-called authority" and "this crowd" is unacceptable. However, I do take and support fully-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Just one second please. I am delighted Mr. O'Leary came in and I particularly welcome his clear and public commitment on this issue. As Chairman, it is my job to ensure every State body is referred to by its name, no matter what a delegate thinks of it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not want to have to adjourn this meeting because we are here to talk about disability. That is the only issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: As Chairman, it is my job to ensure that every State body or union is treated respectfully, even if one disagrees profoundly with it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Jun 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is fair. I very much welcome Mr. O'Leary's strong commitment to change and to supporting disability. I call Mr. Delaney.