Results 15,221-15,240 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Northern Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (4 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: I advise all committee members that we will have a private meeting later this week or next week. We can ask our research officer, Donna Maguire, to bring together some of the trends following today's meeting so that we will have a cogent practical plan to propose as a committee. We might have a special committee meeting to advance that process in the next week or so, if that is agreed. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: The Northern Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (4 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Professors FitzGerald and Morgenroth for their excellent contributions, analyses and openness. Perhaps when we draft a document, we might ask for the professors' comments on it because that would be helpful.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Water (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to bring to the Minister of State's attention that Irish Water is failing in its duty of care on the management of its assets in Drogheda in County Louth and that for the first time ever, the EPA has issued an instruction to Irish Water that if it does not manage its resources properly, it will be prosecuted. There is a stench emanating from the waste water treatment plant. One of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 36. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the work that is being undertaken to ensure that the planning system supports the overall efforts for decarbonisation of society in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23099/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: Will the Minister of State ensure that the planning system supports the overall efforts for the decarbonisation of society? I welcome the decarbonising zones that have been identified, with one per county. Where the planning system is not working, however, is that a town such as Drogheda, one of the five national growth centres, has not been selected in addition to Dundalk. I welcome...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: I ask the Minister of State to answer the question I asked about decarbonisation zones. I welcome his analysis and all the work that has been done. He referred to the national planning framework. Drogheda is designated in the framework as a national growth centre but because the selection of decarbonisation zones is limited to one per county, the largest town in Ireland, the next to become...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: I accept that Drogheda was not mentioned in the initial question, but I mentioned it in the question I have since asked the Minister of State. I ask him now, simply and respectfully, to examine the issue. One would expect that when a town has been identified as a major national growth centre, it would be included as a designated decarbonisation zone in order that it can take full and proper...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 92. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the financial supports that are being considered by his Department in respect of the devastating impact on their local authority incomes and the corresponding impact on expenditure plans as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22863/21]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if further progress has been made in respect of the Meath County Council draft appraisal for the proposed Julianstown bypass considering the new school in the centre of the village is close to completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22609/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Value Added Tax (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 209. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider a reduction in VAT for the leisure industry and more specifically for gyms due to the importance of the fitness industry to the health of the population as the sector reopens in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22718/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 316. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider increasing the discretionary housing assistance payment rates for County Louth in view of the very significant increases in private home rental costs since the pandemic began in particular for single persons or couples on low income who are finding it more difficult to source affordable housing assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 359. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a new school build (details supplied) is expected to be completed in Julianstown, County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22611/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 585. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the reopening of society and outdoor dining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22944/21]

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a most important debate, and one which we should use to enlighten people and make sure that the important points in respect of climate change are articulated and supported in a constructive engagement with all sides of this House and the community. The most important thing we can do is to educate and inform and tolerate other points of view and bring people round to understanding...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (6 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 62. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the 12 foot medieval longboat which was discovered on the bed of the River Boyne, Drogheda in July 2007 and taken for preservation and conservation by the Department of the Environment at that time; the present location and state of preservation of the boat; if the boat can now be placed on public...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (6 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 168. To ask the Minister for Health the process by which companies were selected by his Department and the HSE to carry out Covid-19 testing; if a public tendering process took place; if so, the number of applicants who applied; the number that were subsequently interviewed and so on; the names of the successful companies; the amount they tendered for; the total paid to date to any such...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (6 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 205. To ask the Minister for Health if further plans are being considered in regard to the introduction of minimum unit pricing of alcohol products in view of the announcement in Northern Ireland that it is not in a position to proceed with coinciding the implementation at this time given the very serious impact this may have on businesses in the Border counties; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 66. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the work undertaken to date in terms of the engagement he has had with his counterparts in the UK and in Northern Ireland regarding resolving the recent disturbances in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23944/21]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (11 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 82. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the work undertaken to date and the future plans to ensure to mitigate the impact of Brexit on the objectives and commitments contained in the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23943/21]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic (11 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 269. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if clarity will be provided in relation to a matter (details supplied) regarding the organisation of golf following the announcement of the new plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23646/21]