Results 1-20 of 3,519 for at speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Job Protection. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Transport the contact he had with the Dublin Airport Authority regarding the future of a company (details supplied) at Dublin Airport; if there was information in his Department that the company was selling back leases on hangers at Dublin Airport; his views on whether an aircraft maintenance facility at Dublin Airport is critical for the future of the...

Rail Network. (5 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Issues arise from the accident at Malahide, where 20 m of railway line fell into the sea. I am thankful that due to the action of Keith Farrelly, the train driver who spotted the collapse of the tracks, hundreds of people did not face their death in over 3 m of water. This is a fact and everybody acknowledges it. Were it not for the sea scouts, nobody would have walked the line at all....

Defence Forces Strength (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The number of personnel who left the Defence Forces in the period 1 January to 29 February 2012 was 551. The total number of vacancies at all ranks as at 29 February, 2011, and based on the current employment control framework, ECF, is set out in the tabular statement. The ECF is being revised in the context of the reduction in personnel to 9,500 and the reorganisation announced recently by...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill and the UK Government's Plans around the Human Rights Act: Amnesty International UK (10 Nov 2022)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have no problem at all. I proposed 15 minutes, but I have no issue at all with what people want. Our job is to hear the witnesses, to probe the issues and to get accountability at the end of the process. I have no issue with that, if Ms Hanna wants to propose that. We will leave it at ten minutes. When nine minutes are up, I will tell the person there is only one minute left. I may...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: On that point, I use the port tunnel a lot and it often does not recognise the tag, which causes delays. This also happens at the other toll at the River Liffey crossing, so it is significant. Drivers are waving their numbers out at toll operators every day, believe it or not.

Written Answers — Driving Test Centres: Driving Test Centres (25 Jan 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 851: To ask the Minister for Transport the location of existing driving test centres here; the year each centre was opened; the facilities provided to the public at each such centre and the ownership of such centres; the cost of acquiring or renting same including the annual running cost for each such centre; if such premises are in local authority possession; the staff numbers...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: 178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the commitment, at official level, to retain and enhance the provision of the high standard of third level input to the education of apprentices, at phases 4 and 6, at Dundalk Institute of Technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7465/15]

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

Fergus O'Dowd: ...the major issue facing Ireland. Like some of my colleagues present, I come from a Border constituency and we face serious problems. There are 40,000 jobs relying on trade with the United Kingdom at present; therefore, whatever happens will be of major significance. I invite members to contribute in the normal manner, and if possible I would like to comment at the end. Time is limited...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Update on Testing and Tracing and Rising Incidence in the State (29 Sep 2020)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the witnesses. I again wish to place on record my absolute appreciation and admiration for the work of the HSE and all our health staff and ambulance service personnel right around the country. They are fantastic. We have beaten this virus once and if we all follow the rules, we will beat it again. I have two questions, one of which is about County Louth. I want to stress...

Electoral (Amendment) (Hours of Polling) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the debate. Voter participation continues to be a major challenge for everyone involved in the democratic process and any recommendations as to how we can stimulate greater participation is very much worthy of consideration. This Private Members' Bill is part of the debate and, accordingly, the Government does not propose to oppose it. The stated purpose of the Bill is to promote...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: More people use public transport at peak times. Should operators be required to provide people to assist customers at peak times, particularly at unmanned stations? In other words, there is an expectation that somebody will be available. Has the NTA asked Irish Rail to carry out an analysis on the frequency and times the organisation has been asked to supply services? Such information...

Adjournment Debate: Hospital Staff Recruitment (24 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the Minister to the House and invite him to visit Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth, at the first available opportunity. It is a very important major regional hospital in which there are serious industrial issues at the moment. I visited it this morning and the staff are extremely busy and extremely committed but the hospital is short 104 nurses who cannot be...

Air Rescue Services. (24 Mar 2010)

Fergus O'Dowd: A 24 hour service at four bases that costs €27 million per annum will be changed for a 24 hour service at three bases and a 12 hour service at one base, which will cost €50 million. That is unacceptable, particularly to the people of the south east. Why is the Minister doing this? Why is the Minister reducing the time cover? Notwithstanding that we will have a different calibre of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Rental Sector Strategy: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Perhaps it is a different committee, but I asked the Minister in the Dáil whether he would refer the issue of empty non-principal private residences to the committee to which Mr. Ó Cléirigh referred. At least I think that is the committee he was talking about. Is that under review or will the committee be looking at that issue? There is a lacuna of information because we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: BusConnects Bus Corridors Project: Discussion (12 Dec 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I think it would be hugely important for us to visit the area to see what the issues are. The question of Santry has been raised by members and substitute members today. If it is necessary for the committee to go to Santry to consider that matter, we should do so. It will probably be resolved by looking at maps and getting another solution. It is essential that we look at other options at...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: I agree with Deputy Gilmore. I understand that if a person does not want to be registered at an address, he or she can be registered at a certain street — such as West Street in Drogheda — without the number of the house on the street being mentioned. One does not necessarily have to be identified by a specific location. One could opt to be on a street and not necessarily have to be at...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (11 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer to the reply to Question No. 437 of 13 May which addressed the issues the Deputy is raising. I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland have undertaken a number of scientific releases of ranched salmon at the River Erriff research station (National Index Sea Trout Catchment) as part of ongoing and important research into the effects of sea lice from marine salmon farms on salmon...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not want to appear rude and I respect Mr. Meade's position and welcome him here today. However, the group that presented to this committee previously wanted the chief executives of the various organisations to be invited here. We welcome those who are in attendance but understand that some cannot be here. It is important that our engagements are with those who are at the highest level...

Sheep Worrying (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Officials from Louth County Council met recently with a delegation of local IFA hill farmers on this matter and it continues to be active in addressing this problem. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government recently publicised this issue in association with Comhairle na Tuaithe, the Countryside Council, to raise awareness among dog owners who take part in...

Rural Transport Services. (17 Jun 2008)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome this debate. There are two important aspects thereto, the first of which concerns people travelling to and from work. In this regard, consider the unofficial, illegal park-and-ride facilities at Kilmoon Cross or at the motorway outside Drogheda, or at any of the areas where rural roads meet the motorways. It is very much part of transport policy to encourage people to leave their...