Results 7,321-7,340 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is hugely important that community groups that have concerns can raise those concerns with their local representatives and Members of Parliament, be they Ministers, Ministers of State, Deputies or Senators. This meeting arises out of representations received by Deputies, Senators and Ministers from Dublin south city. Regarding the process, I would like to outline to the witnesses the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am sorry to interrupt Mr. Nash but a phone seems to be on and it is interfering with the sound recording. I may not have made that clear. We can all forget to switch off our phones. Could he please ensure his phone is switched off?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am sorry but there is a phone on somewhere that is interfering with the sound, or else there is a big bee in the room somewhere. I will check to make sure it is definitely not me. I think the bee is dead. I am really sorry for having to interrupt Mr. Nash but the sound system will not pick up what he is saying if there is interference.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Mr. Nash. I appreciate that the addition he made at the end relates to something that only happened recently. I would be grateful if he could circulate it to the staff and we can ensure that it is incorporated into all the members' portfolios. The committee normally calls people who wish to question the witnesses the following order: Fine Gael; Fianna Fáil; Sinn Féin;...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy took four minutes and ten seconds. I thank her for that. I call Deputy O'Callaghan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would prefer if the Deputy just asked his questions. I am in the hands of the committee, but I want to try to move matters on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy has five seconds.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan. He made some very good points, as did Deputy O'Connell. I call Deputy Munster.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Munster, who also made some good points. That was two minutes and 12 seconds. We are doing well on time. I call Deputy Catherine Murphy, followed by Deputy Joan Collins, Senator Humphreys and Deputy Eamon Ryan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputies and Senators would not be here unless their communities had very serious concerns about this and they have the full backing of the Members of Parliament in respect of their concerns. Even if there is no statutory process by means of which we can address those concerns, it is important that whatever constructive ideas Deputies and Senators have are forwarded to the appropriate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Does anybody wish to comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: There are some very important points there about due process, clear process and everybody being on a level playing pitch as to knowledge, which is very important. Unfortunately, we are talking post the event.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I call Deputy Lahart. Given he was not here at the beginning, I advise him that we have a maximum of five minutes for questions. We have a fair idea of the issues, so if it is in order and if the witnesses are happy with it, I propose that one of them would address outstanding issues and we will then suspend, because we have two more long sessions after this. If there is anything that the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is one of the few Deputies who requested that this meeting would take place. There is a Government meeting in Kerry today and he cannot be here. It was his intention to be here, in fairness to him.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will ask Mr. Kinsella to wrap up on behalf of his group. Before he does so, I thank the witnesses for coming and making very cogent, articulate and very thoughtful points, something which was clear from their presentations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Mr. Kinsella.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is outside the statutory period and therefore-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not wish to fight with the Senator. I want to make sure that the committee does everything appropriately. We will send a transcript of this meeting to the NTA as soon as it is available and ask that it meets the residents, as the Senator has requested. We have no issue with that, but we cannot interfere with the statutory-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: MetroLink Project: Discussion (18 Jul 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I know. We will now suspend the sitting.