Results 10,961-10,980 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (5 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: 264. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social houses which will be built this year in County Louth by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5263/15]

Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: Táim i bhfábhar an Bhille seo. Tá sé práinneach agus tá sé in ann dó. Maidir le daoine le mórgáistí atá rialaithe, or regulated mar a déarfá i mBéarla, tá sé an-tábhachtach, dá ndíoltar na leabhra iasachta, go mbeadh na rialacha céanna ag baint leis na morgáistí i ndiaidh an...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister for her address. I apologise for being late; I was delayed in the Dáil. On the prison Vote, last September an RTE television programme highlighted a serious deficiency in services for female prisoners who are leaving secure units. There is really nowhere for them to go. In response to a parliamentary question in September, the Minister said the Department and...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: In respect of the budget allocations, is there increased funding for that? This is a priority and I welcome the fact that significant progress is being made. The television programme showed an unfortunate situation whereby people sometimes ended up going back to prison because there was nowhere else for them to go. That is a shame. I welcome the changes the Minister is making and would...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: In terms of policy initiatives in this area, does the Department have a target for reducing the number of females in custody? The last figures we have are for 2013, which showed an increased number. What is the policy in this regard and what reduction is expected as a result of the Department's activity? How deep an analysis is being made?

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: On that issue, while it may be a truism, people say there are many people in prison who should not be there and many outside who should be. What is the position regarding committals to prison for non-payment of fines? Is that practice ended? There was legislation on this issue some time ago. Is the practice over and done with or can people still be sent to jail for not paying their...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: Let me give an example. I know of a lady in a case involving a non-defended litter fine. She did not attend court and was fined €980. She has no money to pay that fine. Even if she could afford to pay €5 now and €10 then and pay in instalments, that is not permitted. I understand the fine has to be paid in full. This is unacceptable in a modern world,...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is there a timeframe for that?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Inquiry (4 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: 83. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposed commission of inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) in 1976 as recommended by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5055/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (4 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: 180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received an application for funding from a group (details supplied) for €100,000 for a cycle path; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5126/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a very important discussion document. I agree with Deputy Dowds that the powers of the Office of the Planning Regulator would have to be carefully and finely tuned in order that the local democratic process would continue but also that the oversight, which seems to be one of the key issues, would be very thorough and very full in every respect. On the question of the regulator...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: Absolutely. I presume the Minister's reason could be challenged in the court. I am just looking at possible conflicts. The other important issue is a subject close to my heart and to the hearts of all of the people in the country who are marching, which is the powers of Irish Water and how it relates to the provisions of the Bill. One of the key difficulties which I thought about a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: It has to be tied into that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: The linking in of that to the legislation will be critical, as will the responsibilities and accountability of each and every one of those agencies. For instance, even outside those, there is the Industrial Development Authority Ireland, as well as where the HSE wants to put its regional services, and private airports. It is a huge job of work that has to be managed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: The issue for me is who is the generator. In other words, does a county councillor present me with a plan or does the regional authority present a councillor or a citizen with a plan? Those issues are critically important, including the identification of weaknesses in the last spatial strategy. Mr. Cussen rightly said that was in a different era and, I might add, it was also a different...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: On that point, how do they determine that? I am all in favour and do not have a problem with it, but what criteria would they have to objectively identify that? Could they form an opinion? Could they have a hunch or would they have to have evidence? The burden of proof is a huge issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: The question is whether the planning regulator forms an opinion. Does he or she have to form an opinion before sending it on?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am trying to tease out what would happen where departmental inquiries are, or were, going on. It links into certain counties that are, or were, being looked at.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: That would go to the board.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014: Discussion (3 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: If I had evidence and felt there was corruption - not necessarily among officials, for want of a better term, but in the political system or outside it - what would I do with that evidence, as a citizen? Would the Garda direct me to the planning regulator? Will that fine detail be in the Bill?