Results 7,941-7,960 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy can but she can ask them afterwards as I want to be fair. I do not want to stop anybody nor am I trying to cut anybody out. I am trying run this as well as I can. If the Deputy wants to ask her questions, I do not have a problem with that if she can keep to one minute. There are others who-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Anois, glaoim ar an Seanadóir O'Mahony.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Glaoim an Seanadóir Ned O'Sullivan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: What is hugely important here is that there is a constructive outcome. One of the balances that is not here is the balance of the community versus the semi-State or the State organisation, particularly in terms of funding and access to professional legal and planning advice. This is something that is not going to end today. There ought to be a mechanism where one can access an independent...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Ellis made some very important points there. I propose that if it is in order, we break for ten minutes to give people a chance to have a cup of tea. Thereafter, we will have replies and the elected members could get answers to the questions. I am trying to keep it positive and constructive so that if anybody wishes to come back who either has not spoken or would like to add...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I compliment everyone on the way the meeting has been conducted. We have had a very useful and constructive engagement with all of the community groups. Oireachtas Members have asked their questions and Ms Graham and members of her team will respond. I suggest they answer questions whichever way they wish and we can return to certain matters if the members feel they need further details....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I was going to ask whether that was it. That is the response to the questions. In fairness to the members, significant issues were raised by many people that I did not hear answered. Deputy Ellis spoke about the engineering costs involved in locating to a greenfield site. There is a cost-benefit analysis, and after public consultation there will be a preliminary costing of the project,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not taking from the importance of the club, because it is hugely important, but a school is a structure and a building and it cannot just be taken away somewhere else. I used to be a teacher-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is a seven-year cycle plus two years. This would be a huge impact. There is also the question raised about danger and children crossing the road. There is also the noise issue. Teaching cannot take place in a noisy environment. Will the witnesses look at the opportunity cost to them of moving to a greenfield site, wherever it might be? There is an additional cost, but there is also...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to try to keep order. I have no issue with that, and I am happy to have the members taken in whatever way they want. I will come back to Senator Ó Céidigh.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ach an ceist seo a bheith as Gaeilge.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Or professional advice.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Transcripts are available anyway so we can send them to the-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Especially when the see that a sports field is gone in their school. I believe that is what has happened.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: If it is in order, I will take the members and then we will go to our guests. I will try and keep it separate. Deputy Rock wants to come in, followed by Deputies Ellis and Shortall.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I hear a telephone. Who is doing a live broadcast on Facebook?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Does the Deputy want it all gone?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: If it is in order, after Deputy Ellis contributes, I will ask the community groups to make a further round of contributions if they wish to do so. I will make a point arising from Deputy Lahart's contribution. Given that the cost of MetroLink will be €3 billion, I do not see any reason the community should not benefit from professional advice, by which I do not mean legal or planning...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the witnesses for their heartfelt words. I am sure they are echoed not just in this room, but in many other places. I think the key message they are giving me is the same as what I believe myself, namely this must be our project, not their project. The witnesses are at the heart of the project and they have to have ownership of it. Without being disrespectful to anybody here, what...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed MetroLink: Discussion (25 Apr 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to get through all the people who are here. I will call on Mr. Michael Dowling to give his address and then move on in the order in which the witnesses are sitting.