Results 8,941-8,960 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Could I ask a question, if it is helpful? In his reply, if information on the policy on those issues is not available today, will Mr. Barry indicate that he will come back to the committee about it? We could have that as a definite item for discussion at our next meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I think it is hugely important. I hope I am not interrupting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am looking at part of the NTA's website. I am not certain I have the right one, but I think I do. It was last updated in 2013 and talks about policy documents with regard to travel planning guidance for the workplace and for local authorities, but disability is not mentioned. I acknowledge Mr. Barry's commitment to take it up and think we should have a meeting about it once we get his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have a couple of questions. I want to acknowledge Mr. Barry's huge knowledge, broad range of talents and his capacity to do the job that he has been asked to do. I am concerned about the future, as he is. The national planning framework for 2040 is hugely important, particularly with regard to investment and transport infrastructure. I understand that Mr. Barry's role includes strategic...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: When that plan is fleshed out a bit more, we will continue to meet with Mr. Barry about the views of the Oireachtas and his own views.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: A problem I have, which I know Mr. Barry will appreciate, is that the greater Dublin area, while it includes County Louth, runs as far as the south side of the town of Drogheda, so we are particularly disadvantaged because we are not in that area. No doubt Mr. Barry would agree with that. As Dublin, the towns and hopefully the cities around it develop, that greater Dublin area definition...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: A point made to us was the question of, going back to Mr. Barry's National Roads Authority role, an outer orbital route around Dublin. Is that in Mr. Barry's remit?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: There was to be a new port development at the time which would significantly change the pattern of port transport in and out of the city. I appreciate Mr. Barry has not sat at the desk yet but what will his role in that be on all those issues?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: The NTA has a role with regard to the plans themselves.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: How will the NTA form those views?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: With respect, I have to acknowledge the fact that, and the witness could not have known this, they would have to have been in by last Friday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I presume they will be published.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: Perhaps we could get a copy of them. We can ask.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the chairperson designate, Mr. Fred Barry, for coming here today and engaging so constructively and positively with the committee. We wish him well in his appointment. The meeting is now adjourned.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not quite sure if questions on HAP are appropriate at this time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I find that the HAP scheme is working extremely well in circumstances where people can get properties. It is giving an opportunity to families who could not otherwise afford the huge rents that are being demanded. I note that rents are continuing to increase. While these are not official departmental figures, Daft.ieshows that rents in County Louth rose by almost 17% in the last year. In...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: In exceptional cases, is there a way we can get these people onto the housing list even if the debt owed to a local authority is still outstanding? Could they get the housing assistance payment notwithstanding their past history?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: I know of one such person.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: The problem is that until they have paid back some of the money they owe to another local authority, they will not get HAP in the place in which they are now living. I am aware that this is an exceptional case. We need a reference point to deal with exceptional cases in order that there is a way that the family can get HAP, notwithstanding any outstanding issues.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Fergus O'Dowd: As I have to chair a meeting at 1.30 p.m. I may have to leave.