Results 9,281-9,300 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: I refer to conflicts of interest.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: We would both disagree profoundly with Dr. Hiney in that regard. I say that respectfully.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: I refer to the point Deputy Munster is making. I hear everything Dr. Hiney said and I welcome his personal commitment to engage fully with us. I have no doubt about that at all. The question is the relationship between the local authority, as it will now be, and the port authority and the issue of democratic accountability to that forum either by way of membership or consultation. I do...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: It is a good thing because it is bringing ports back to local accountability through a system that is accountable in itself to public representatives. I think that covers that issue. Deputy O'Keeffe is next.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: We very much need people like Mr. Hiney coming in and applying through that process. It is very welcome that he brings all of his skills to the board.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: I know the Deputy is not criticising Dr. Hiney,
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: I have a few questions, if I may. I welcome Dr. Hiney's knowledge and experience which is valuable to the port. Not so long ago, there was talk of an expansion of the port out through Gormanston. I do not know if Dr. Hiney was familiar with that plan. Dr. Hiney referred to waiting for leadership from the political system but we actually changed legislation in this House. We voted to give...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: When he spoke earlier on, Dr. Hiney referred to moving the port to the mouth of the river. There was a lot of controversy over that in the past which he may not be aware of; there was huge opposition to that proposal.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: No, on the river. Sorry, towards the sea. I do not think that would be particularly welcomed were it to be proposed again. I am just acknowledging that Dr. Hiney wants to change. The fact that the river can only take boats of a particular draft means that Drogheda is very much a niche port. I welcome its success so far but am interested in the plans for the future.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: One of the proposals some years ago was that there would be a new link road coming down near Tom Roe's Point that would link to the northern cross route and then link across a bridge on a new road across the Boyne. I do not know the position on that now.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: It is not in the capital plans but-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: It was a proposal long before even Deputy Munster was on the council, and I do not mean to be rude in saying that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: The idea was that there would be a new bridge to the east of Drogheda that would allow traffic circulate from the motorway in and out of the port. Theoretically, the port could develop and we would not have the problem we have now of heavy goods vehicles, HGVs, driving through the town.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: Could I ask that in Dr. Hiney's discussions with the county council that that issue might be discussed? We will discuss it separately in any event.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: Good.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: Of course.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: On that point, we will ascertain what is the law on that. That will give us the answer.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: When I was on the council, and that is a few years ago now, the chairman was always a public representative. That is not a reflection on your good self. I have a couple of questions. Does Drogheda Port Company publish an annual report?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: How many staff does the company employ?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drogheda Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Sep 2017)
Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Dr. Hiney for his answers to our questions. I appreciate and welcome his commitment to come back to the committee on the issues we raised. I welcome his appointment and I hope he will be very successful. We will go into private session.