Results 7,061-7,080 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Deployment (14 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the Minister's response and the commitment he received from the Garda Commissioner that no stone will be left unturned to get these criminals. The fear must be in the bedroom of the criminal, not in that of the ordinary citizens who are having sleepless nights in some parts of Drogheda. This must end. I must point again to the inequality in Garda numbers in two towns of equal...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Deployment (14 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Nothing is more important than this debate, short as it may be. Drogheda is a fabulous town of 40,000 citizens. Moneymore is one of the finest estates with which I have ever worked. It is a community of people and families who work together and who are fraught and distressed about what has been happening in their community. A small number of people are engaged in this activity. They are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Joint Committee (14 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: There are no apologies. I remind members to switch off their mobile phones. I propose that we go into private session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Joint Committee (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I remind members to turn off their mobile phones completely as they interfere with recording equipment. Before we commence our main business I will turn to correspondence No. 2018/352, which is a letter dated 6 November from the Taxi Dispatch Operators Representative Association, TDORA, stating that it would like to make a presentation to the joint committee to brief members on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Sports Policy 2018-2027: Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (14 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The purpose of today's meeting is to consider the national sports policy 2018 - 2027. I welcome the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross; the Minister of State at the Department with special responsibility for tourism and sport, Deputy Brendan Griffin; and the officials who are present. Before we commence, for the purpose of officials attending I am required to read...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Sports Policy 2018-2027: Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (14 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister and Minister of State. Senator O'Mahony is first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Sports Policy 2018-2027: Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (14 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The gold medal would go to the late Charlie Haughey. I do not think anyone could beat that, using the Government jet to fly to Paris.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Sports Policy 2018-2027: Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (14 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank members for their contributions. Before the Minister responds, I will make a few points. I welcome the significant funding that is being provided for sport in this programme, which is important. The key point we must never forget is the health gain for people, particularly those who do not participate in sport throughout their lives. That is a major gain, bringing increased...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Impact of Brexit on Ireland's Housing Market: Discussion (13 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome our guests and thank them for their professionalism and advice. Over the years, the ESRI, as an independent, professional body, has been on the button in terms of informing public policy as well as advising the Government and the Opposition. Despite the appalling vista it presents, Brexit also gives us the opportunity to change significant policies, particularly with regard to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (13 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: 194. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans, following his recent visit to the area, for the urgent coastal works needed at Laytown and Bettystown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46514/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (13 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: 254. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda by rank and location in the Louth Garda division and Ashbourne, Meath division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46466/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs Crime (13 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: 257. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns regarding drug-related crime in Drogheda and east County Meath, such as the recent discharge of five bullets from a firearm into a dwelling house in a residential area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46513/18]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Reports on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: No. It is lower in 2018 than it was in 2013.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Reports on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise for being late. I wish to pick up on a couple of points that I heard while arriving, the first of which is the inequalities between income limits in various counties. I live in County Louth, but a part of my constituency is in County Meath. The maximum net income for a single person in County Meath is €35,000. One can earn up to that amount, receive HAP and get on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Reports on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: A seamless transfer.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Reports on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is good. I welcome it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Reports on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: To qualify for HAP, applicants must be on the housing list but they cannot qualify if their income exceeds a certain amount. In addition, the qualifying limits are lower in Louth than in Meath. That is the problem. In other words, it is discrimination on income grounds against those who are homeless or have insecurity of tenure. They cannot benefit from the scheme and secure a property...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Reports on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: How quickly can that change?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Reports on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: There is a barrier to that, however, because a person in County Louth earning €31,000 or more will not be eligible for HAP in County Meath, whereas a person in County Meath who earns €35,000 would be eligible for the payment. I appreciate the Department is dealing with the issue and I understand Ms Hurley appreciates the ambiguities involved. I had a constituent with me the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Reports on Homelessness: Discussion (8 Nov 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: No. I welcome the increase in the level of housebuilding, particularly in my constituency and east County Meath. It is good to see a considerable number of new homes being built. I welcome the attention that is being paid to housing but more radical measures are required in some instances, such as in the cases I highlighted. The death of a homeless person this week was a tragedy for the...