Results 21-40 of 18,569 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: 273. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on remedial plans to address the structural problems identified by HIQA within Cherry Orchard Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19960/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: With the consent of members, we will go into private session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: Apologies have been received from Senator Blaney. On behalf of the committee I welcome Professor John FitzGerald, adjunct professor, Trinity College Dublin; and Professor Edgar Morgenroth, professor of economics, Dublin City University, who are here today to discuss their recently published research on the expected costs of replacing the UK subventions for Northern Ireland, in the event of a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: Does Professor Morgenroth have anything to add?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: From what the witnesses seem to be saying, the key point is the reform of education. Equalising access is the key to getting people with third level qualifications to come back to the North. It is a major and ongoing issue in any event. Regardless of whether there is a united Ireland, there will not be true prosperity in the North unless that is done. That is the first point. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is certainly a possibility, notwithstanding what Professor Fitzgerald is saying.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: If things go on as they are and if there is not a united Ireland, the UK Government will continue to meet those costs, so it has to be an advantage to them to pay a significant amount into the future but not have to pay what they are obliged to pay right now. Does that make sense? Is it a fair point?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: It seems to me that the point is that if they are going to have to pay these costs anyway into the future, then they would have a significant but reducing and lesser cost. That is a good bargaining position for them. In other words, their taxpayer does not have to foot all of the bill all of the time, and there will be a benefit to the taxpayer in the UK from a united Ireland because it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: The witnesses’ research and the paper are extremely important and informative and they are framing the debate for many people, as we know from public commentary. We had a quick discussion outside and we spoke about the cost of a united Ireland versus the value or benefit of it. I accept the point the witnesses made that the cost is one thing but the benefit to the whole island would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: The key point is that if the economy of Northern Ireland improves regardless, that makes the opportunity financially more attractive for unification. Is that it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: Before we go on, we have 15 minutes party time, so if Professor FitzGerald answers this I will go on to Fianna Fáil and then we will come back. That is what we agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: The witnesses can answer the question fully. I just do not want people giving out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: We have plenty of time but I want to rotate the groups properly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: In fairness to everybody here, there is plenty of time to ask questions and get them answered. If Professor Morgenroth wants to finish that answer I am happy for him to.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to go back to Fianna Fail now. We will give that group the same time and then we will come back to everybody. We said we would keep it fair among all the parties and all the questions would be properly answered. Deputy Smith should go ahead.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy is running out of time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: Political change is fundamental and accepting all communities together into one school system to create equality of educational opportunity.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, of course.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: The burden will be on the Irish taxpayer for how to make up the difference. That is the problem. The referendum could theoretically be successful in the North and unsuccessful in the South. Is that not a possibility?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is a stark potential outcome which we have to address.