Results 7,741-7,760 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the Minister's statement that things are back to normal. Thanks be to God for that. However, unfortunately, as we both know, there is nothing normal about this pipe and that is the reason it is being fully replaced. What issues, if any, must now be addressed by Irish Water? While I acknowledge the tremendous work that has been done, the contract is for an 18-month period. It...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister for that.

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Topical Issue debate was due to start at 8 p.m. and I was late because it was began sooner.

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Last night we got word that the water supply for Drogheda-east Meath had once again been disrupted with a significant burst main, one which had burst about a year ago. The concerns and worries that the people of the area had were communicated and Irish Water and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government were very much aware of what needed to happen. Instead of having a tale of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Reform: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Vice Chairman for allowing me to comment first because I must leave shortly to attend another event. I welcome the Minister of State to the meeting. He has extensive experience of local government because he and I have discussed the future of his area and mine on many occasions. I know the difficulties he experienced in Waterford and, regrettably, they are exactly the same...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Reform: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is right.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Reform: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: No.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Reform: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Exactly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Reform: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (31 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: While I welcome the Minister of State's response, it is clear that it does not go far enough. He will have expected me to say that. The difference is that the Minister of State is listening. I welcome that very much. It is important to have a Minister of State who listens. I think we have put a cogent argument to the Minister. A municipal council will never do the business. We need a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, back to the meeting. He is accompanied by three officials, Ms Maev Nic Lochlainn, Ms Denise Keoghan and Mr. Declan Hayes. I remind attendees to switch off mobile phones or switch them to aeroplane mode. I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister. The order of speakers will be as follows: Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and then the Independents. I will ask the Minister for some information which is not in his statement. How many rickshaw operators does the Department estimate there are?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: What are the implications of a ban? If the Minister banned them, would that have implications for those who have been legitimately investing in them? Would they have a claim for compensation for loss of earnings or loss of income? The Minister need not answer these questions now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Finally, the Minister referred to a Department analysis of custom and practice in other cities, particularly European cities. Does he have that information? Can he share it with us?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Will the Minister share it with the committee, as it will inform us?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It was mentioned that there are 1,000 rickshaws currently in operation here, which means that at least 1,000 people are employed in this area.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Each rickshaw would have at least one driver.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: If it is mostly student activity, and I understand it is, then a rickshaw might be being operated part time by up to five students. With proper regulation, people on low incomes could supplement their incomes from operating rickshaws.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I ask the Deputy to watch his language.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regulation of Rickshaws: Discussion (30 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Thank you, Deputy. Before I invite the Minister to respond, I have a few points to make myself. The first problem is defining a rickshaw. If we want to ban it, we must define it. When is a rickshaw not a rickshaw? Whatever way one defines it, one will find that others will have a different construction. It is hugely important, if we go down the road of regulating them, that we are very...