Results 11,661-11,680 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (6 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not aware of what the British Government intends to do in this regard, no more than the Deputy or his party is. Such decisions are a matter for that government. As I said, we are involved in a joint North-South study to identify all of the issues involved. It is important, too, that we be fully up to date with all of the international research. The objective of our research is to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (6 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: While the issues raised by the Deputy are not in my briefing document, I will be happy to obtain a briefing on the plant in the UK and share those data with him. I assure the Deputy that we want to increase the use of indigenous biomass on this island. I am happy to take on board the issues the Deputy has raised and will get an official response for him. When the plan is published we will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (6 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: A recent report produced by Rethink Pylons stated that converting Moneypoint from coal to biomass would meet our targets of 40% without the need to upgrade the grid or for further wind development. It argued that the conversion would cost €380 million, which is approximately 10% of the cost of upgrading the grid. The decision on the fuel type to be used would be a matter for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (6 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for putting this question. I can confirm that we are very much looking at the biomass policy and apart from a couple of final meetings between the Minister, myself and the Department, I expect to be in a position to publish the strategy document by the end of this month. As we are meeting those involved in the industry all of the time, we will be consulting them about a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (6 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis. This management is carried out by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the State Agency with statutory responsibility for inland fisheries under the 2010 Inland Fisheries Act. The individual river management strategy is based on the fact that each of Ireland’s 143 salmon rivers has its own unique stock of salmon which migrates to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (6 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: My Department is currently in the process of finalising a national bioenergy strategy which will be published in a matter of weeks. The strategy will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that a sustainable bioenergy sector could make to the achievement of the 2020 renewable energy target for Ireland. A strong bioenergy sector could also make important contributions to a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (6 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources. In that role it provides scientific advice to my Department regarding the most up-to-date status of species under its brief. Sea trout, bass and salmon are all managed as recreational angling species. All three are highly...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (6 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Details of all Prospecting Licences can be found in the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas, which I am obliged to lay before the Houses under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999. The last such report was in respect of the six-month period ending 31 December 2013. This report is available on my Department’s website at . The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences granted in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (6 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The report published by the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture in May 2012 contained a number of recommendations in respect of the fiscal and regulatory framework applying to oil and gas exploration in Ireland. In subsequent Dáil debates I stated my intention to seek further independent expert advice on the...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Meters Installation (1 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure Deputy Stanley that all of the information he has laid before the House and the issues he has raised will be brought to the attention of Irish Water-Uisce Éireann immediately for direct reply to him. I will ask it to copy me and perhaps we can discuss it after that communication has been received.

Topical Issue Debate: Water Meters Installation (1 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The topic the Deputy raised was the lack of notification to householders prior to installation of water meters and that is what is addressed in my prepared reply. The questions the Deputy raised are not part of that. I will be very happy to ask Irish Water to reply directly to the Deputy on the statistics and the process. As the Deputy will be...

Housing Provision: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Having listened to the last speaker, I note he has completely ignored the fact we have been experiencing a very serious economic crisis, and the best way to deal with anybody in difficulty is through creating employment. This Government has created employment for over 60,000 people in the past year.

Housing Provision: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Mathews was voted in on this side of the House and he will have to face the electorate in that regard.

Housing Provision: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 May 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: There are 60,000 people working today who were not working this day last year. There is a prediction for significant growth in the economy and job creation; we have reduced our unemployment rate from a high of 15%, as Deputy Donnelly knows, to 11.7%. It is still high but it is below the European average. Our economy is growing and the Government has put its efforts into economic recovery...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Angling Charges (30 Apr 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 421 together. A compulsory charge for anglers is not being introduced in the context of the proposed new inland fisheries legislation. I have set this position out clearly on a number of occasions, but would, in particular, refer the Deputies to the reply to Question No. 628 on 25 March which addresses the issues they have raised in considerable detail.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Fishing Licences (30 Apr 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand the Deputy is seeking consideration of the possibility of reinstating licences for former salmon fishermen who availed of the Salmon Hardship Scheme which was funded by the State to facilitate a cessation of fishing. The Hardship Scheme was introduced following a Government decision to cease the commercial salmon mixed stock fishery in the sea for conservation reasons. Under...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senators on all sides for supporting the Bill. It is a good and brave step forward for democracy that anybody who wishes to stand can do so despite having a financial issue like bankruptcy. An existing public representative may become bankrupt and it is important that he or she can continue in the work as well, as the people should ultimately decide on their representation....

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Apr 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Murphy's amendments provide that for a Dáil election a candidate who is not a candidate of a political party, as registered, shall be entitled to use the word "Independent" rather than "non-party". The amendments reflect Deputy Murphy's Electoral (Amendment) Bill published on 1 April 2014. The relevant provisions of the 1992 Act set out that the expression "non-party" may be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (9 Apr 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: My Department is currently finalising a Bioenergy Strategy which will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that energy from biomass can make to achieving Ireland's 2020 renewable energy targets. Analysis underpinning the strategy suggests that targeted measures to incentivise the use of biomass for energy can have a significant impact particularly in the heat sector and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Funding (8 Apr 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am aware of and appreciate the tourism and amenity potential of the former Avoca mine site. This issue co-exists, however, with the public health and safety aspects, environmental conditions and industrial heritage preservation in the area. It is essential that an appropriate balance be struck in dealing with the various matters. In the first instance funding of €3 million is...