Results 761-780 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: As the grandparent of a child who is five years of age, I can understand the trauma and upset of the families concerned and all those injured. In Drogheda just over two years ago, we had a deadly drugs feud that resulted in violence, deaths and widespread fear and intimidation. The Minister responded to that in the appropriate way. Following a period of lack of interest in what was going...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: I bring to the attention of the Government the serious crisis in child and adolescent mental health services in the Louth-Meath area. There is presently no out-of-hours service liaison for these children and adolescents. There are no plans or resources to develop such a service. There is no approved centre for child and adolescent mental health services either. A farcical situation was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: With the agreement 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 (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ten-minute speaking slots have been allocated to each party group but these are applied in a relaxed and informal manner. The rotation is as follows: Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Independents and subsequently, it depends on what other members attend. Some members are attending online. Apologies have been received from Senator Frances Black and Stephen Farry, MP....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: Mr. McDonnell, do you want to add anything at this stage?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: The ten minutes are up, but I can make it 15 if you want to come in, Senator Blaney.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have to be conscious of the time. Dr. McDonnell, if you want to make a contribution, go ahead, but after that we will just move on, if that is okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am sorry, lads.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am conscious that other people wish to come in. I am not trying to curtail debate. Perhaps we will park the Senator's questioning for the moment and pick it up in the second round, if that is okay. Deputy Feighan is, unfortunately, not online so I will take the Fine Gael slot. I have a couple of questions and will constructively challenge some of the things the witnesses have been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: That was announced yesterday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: I appreciate what Mr. Mac Flynn is saying. Let us consider social welfare benefits, North and South. The old age pension is much higher in the South than in the North. There must be other areas where payments are higher in the North. I am looking at the brass tacks of change and what it might mean. A border poll will come at some stage in the future. It is in the Good Friday Agreement...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: Those are the issues we need to discuss.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: I totally accept that and could not agree more. Is all that information out there and published?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is the sort of information people need. I welcome the institute's work in that regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: The other point raised when representatives of the trade unions were with us, including the teachers, was the discrimination in one jurisdiction concerning not having a qualification in Irish. I am all in favour of Gaeilge and all that, but this is an issue. We must put all these hidden barriers out there for this debate to address them. I know it is not going to happen immediately. There...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, but those who have the most need are those who need to be most protected-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----if that were to happen. These types of interventions must be ready, costed and thought through. Whatever the offer might be in such a poll, from whatever side, it must all add up at the end of the day.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (23 Nov 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sure.