Results 11,561-11,580 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Non-ionising radiation is a major issue in our country at present. This new merger will help to bring about responsibility within the EPA for non-ionising radiation, including in respect energy infrastructure, so that we have a one-stop-shop for dealing with the issue. Work has been under way for more than a year to join up the cultures of both organisations to ensure a smooth transition....

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that the amendment brings in all issues relating to the effects on the environment that may result from radiation.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is included under the environment and all aspects of it. I am advised that it includes the issues the Deputy raised even if they are not specifically named. We can examine that further if need be at a later stage.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will revert to the Deputy with a note on the matter.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: When the Deputy says it has been changed, can she compare it with the previous definition? Just to be helpful, I will narrow it down. The Minister of State might give me a note on it to see if I need to clarify it.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not aware of that.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Catherine Murphy for her comments and acknowledge the difficulties of members. Being here is important, and Deputy Catherine Murphy took the time to put down the amendments. While we all have different experiences of the EPA, and I acknowledge that whatever experience Deputy Catherine Murphy had locally happened, my experience is entirely different. I always found it above...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the opportunity to have a constructive and full debate on Committee Stage. As Deputies are aware, the purpose of this Bill is to provide for the merging of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. That is why the legislation is important and we need it in place before the summer recess. The Bill introduces the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Licences (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer to the reply to Question No. 155 of 8 May 2014 which comprehensively set out the relevant issues. The allocation of public licences for commercial draft nets is governed by the relevant Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, in this case Statutory Instrument (S.I.) No.132 of 2014, and is administered by inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in accordance with the S.I. I am advised, by IFI,...

Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies who contributed to the debate for their valued and constructive input. As they will be aware, the purpose of this Bill is to provide for the merger of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency this summer. The necessary legal provisions for this, which are set out in the Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions)...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Adoption Services Provision (18 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator for bringing this very important issue before the Oireachtas and for the clarity with which she has presented the case and outlined her personal circumstances. She speaks on behalf of thousands of people and articulates the need for the State to meet their needs. I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Charles...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Adoption Services Provision (18 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure the Senator that I will speak to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Flanagan, and ask his private secretary to make contact with her immediately to provide the very important clarifications she is seeking.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Inland Fisheries (18 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am happy to assure the Senator that the question he raises in regard to fish counters is addressed in what I said, but I will get him the detail of how many there are and on how many rivers. I know that a significant number of rivers do not have them. What the Department relies on is the catch log book and, as it has done on other rivers, including the River Boyne, it will work with local...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Inland Fisheries (18 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator for raising the matter and it is important to set out the background. I visited the area with the former Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Brian Hayes, and we had an enjoyable and useful interaction with the community. Ireland manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis and this is carried out by IFI. The individual river...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Legal Costs (18 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality who unfortunately cannot be here, and I apologise for keeping the Senator waiting. The Minister appreciates that people, especially legal practitioners, are very interested in the matter of taxation of costs and efficiency. As the Senator is aware, there are two Taxing Masters who perform functions of a judicial...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Legal Costs (18 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure the Senator that I will bring the points he has raised to the attention of the Minister for Justice and Equality, particularly the statistics and the point that the income to the State could be increased if a third person was appointed. The Minister is examining all these issues and I will ask her to revert to the Senator directly on the particular issues he raised.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Authority Meetings (18 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Gabh mo leithscéal as bheith déanach, ach bhí mé gnóthach in áit éigin eile. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. The current position is that where a teacher in a primary or post-primary school is an elected member of a local authority, paid absence of up to ten school days in a school year may be availed of in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (17 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 409 together. The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each year between 2004 and 2014 are set out in the following table: Licences granted during period 2004 - 2014 (to 5 March 2014) Year Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Petroleum Exploration Licences 2004 26 3 2005 51 7 2006 84 4 2007 143 5 2008...

Topical Issue Debate: Tree Remediation (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Flanagan for his contribution and the points he raised. I will ask for a direct reply from the Department in respect of the query he raised about the costs and why that would be prohibitive and the way in which it would be prohibitive. My Department will give consideration to the high trees issues in the context of its legislative programme and will have to identify the most...

Topical Issue Debate: Tree Remediation (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan. I thank the Deputy for raising it. The current legal position on high trees and hedges is that planning legislation does not make a particular provision for recognition of a right to light or a remedy from any other nuisance which may be caused by trees in a residential area. Complaints where...