Results 8,461-8,480 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Why does TII not open it? Mr. Nolan is talking about another four month delay if I understand correctly what he is saying. It seems to me the public need would be met by opening it up immediately. Why does TII not do that?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: It is an appalling waste of money. I appreciate that TII did not initiate the legal process but it has been extremely expensive as TII is paying over €500,000 in legal costs. It is an appalling vista and is absolutely unacceptable. Following today's meeting we will need to invite TII here again to discuss its annual report and other issues such as that TII seems to penalise...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. I am in the hands of the members but I am very concerned about that. I welcome the witnesses' presence here today but there are huge problems around TII's operation. It is a huge company with a turnover of over €1 billion a year but the taxpayer is not getting value for money. The driver is being penalised if he is compliant.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Munster said she had an urgent appointment. If she wants to she can comment now on the first item.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: I want to deal with the Drogheda issue first, if I may. I would like the Deputy to ask her question about Drogheda after I give her some information she does not have. If she wishes to go ahead now that is fine.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: I have issues around Drogheda which I want to raise myself first. The Deputy is not aware of them, but I have no problem with the other issues.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: I asked about Gorey. The legal case cost an awful lot of money. I appreciate that citizens and companies are entitled to take cases. The problem is that the case went to a hearing, the High Court was asked to stay it and it was then withdrawn. What happened to TII's fees at that time? Surely, it should be able to recoup them if someone brings it to court but then withdraws the case. Is...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Did TII agree to that?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: TII gives the franchise. It had a procurement process and gave it to company A. Company B objected and challenged the veracity of TII's decision making and brought it to the High Court at TII's expense. Was the case heard at all?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Seven days is hugely expensive.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: TII was a notice party.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: TII was the respondent and had to deal with all of this. The other party reached a deal and TII suffered the loss of all its costs.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, but they commenced the process against TII. Should TII not recover its costs? It is €500,000, which is a lot of money.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: The point is that there was a seven-day hearing. Was that over two or more weeks? There were probably three days one week, for example.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: That is a lot. One defends a case in the first place because one feels one's defence is strong enough. Quite often, there are negotiations even during the process of a legal case. In other words, a without-prejudice offer to settle may be made. TII could have negotiated its costs down or reached an agreement after day 1. It seems to me that if someone presses the button, the fees run and run.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Does TII employ in-house lawyers?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Did they act for TII in this?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Was there a contract for those services as to which firm would be used?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: It seems to be an awful waste of money.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (24 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Were there other legal costs other than the €500,000 we are talking about?