Results 11,581-11,600 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to respond on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, who cannot attend. The overarching objective of our energy policy is to ensure secure, sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy. As a State, we have ambitious targets for 16% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020 through meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, with 10% for transport and 12% for...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will bring Senator Byrne's comments on the planning issue to the attention of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the wind turbine issue to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Public Procurement Contracts (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, who cannot be here, unfortunately. I understand this question arises in the context of a procurement process that is currently being undertaken by local authorities. Activity being undertaken in that sector is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Public Procurement Contracts (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will bring Senator Whelan's comments to the attention of both Ministers. It might be important for them to be sent to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, if that is okay.

Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Order for Second Stage (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the opportunity to introduce Second Stage of the Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014. The Bill has two main objectives: first, to provide for the dissolution of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, and transfer its functions to the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and, second, to...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am going to respond to the actual question the Deputy tabled for reply. I will obtain and forward to her the further information she is seeking as soon as possible. As she noted, the key point is that nothing can happen in respect of fracking in this country until the EPA submits its report in 2016. It will then be a matter for the Government of the day to decide what will happen because...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to make it clear that my initial reply was to the original question tabled by the Deputy. I will be happy to obtain for her an answer in respect of the new question she has posed. The Minister and I do not believe that the Deputy's very important question is not actually relevant to our brief at present, but I wish to reassure her that I will obtain for her a complete answer in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to reassure the Deputy that the EPA study is examining each and every issue that he has raised. It is also looking at other jurisdictions where fracking has taken place and where there have been incidents. All of that scientific knowledge will be included in the examination. I have a report on what happened in Colorado. If the Deputy wants me to read it out, I will certainly do...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will be happy to have the Deputy's report examined for clarity on that issue.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, of course.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is not this side of the House which decides how Priority Questions are grouped.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, it is not and I am sorry that it happened.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 5 together. The status of the unconventional exploration and extraction industry in other jurisdictions is a matter for the authorities in those jurisdictions and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the government policies of other countries. We are, of course, aware of reports on last year's floods in Colorado and the public debate and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not aware of the document the Deputy has available and if he gives me a copy of it afterwards, I will be happy to examine the issues about which he is clearly concerned. The bottom line is that the Government will not allow fracking to take place. The EPA's report will have to be to hand before decisions can be made on it. The report is at least two years away and, when published, it...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have previously outlined my position on this matter in the House and clearly stated that a compulsory charge for anglers is not being introduced. My Department, working closely with IFI, is completing a comprehensive review of the current legislation dating back to 1959 to consolidate, update and amend existing legislation which governs the conservation, protection, management and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Conscious that the existence of quality data is key to encouraging exploration, last June my Department, in conjunction with exploration company Eni launched a major two year seismic acquisition programme to provide a regional grid of high quality seismic data over Ireland’s Atlantic frontier basins, particularly in the Southern Porcupine, Rockall and Hatton basins. It is by far the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland manages salmon stocks generally on an individual river basis. Each river contains a genetically unique stock, which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river in adulthood to spawn. The conservation imperative means that exploitation of salmon of each river is only permitted where the independent Standing Scientific Committee for salmon determine that the stock in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together. My Department is currently in the process of finalising a national bioenergy strategy. The strategy will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that a sustainable biomass sector can make to the achievement of the 2020 renewable energy target for Ireland. Analysis conducted has shown that additional measures in the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences Numbers (12 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: In the addition to the three Petroleum Leases currently held, the following table outlines the Petroleum Authorisations currently extant in Ireland: Authorisation Type Number in Operation Exploration Licence 30 Licensing Option 15 Petroleum Prospecting Licence 12 Total 57Exploration is ongoing under these authorisations.