Results 11,701-11,720 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad Reform Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: That was really a low blow.

Seanad Reform Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is my conviction that all the chairmen of the Oireachtas committees, regardless of party membership, are not partisan, but they are fair and objective and hold Ministers to account. The Joint Committee on Health and Children is an example. The Deputy cannot say the Chairman - a Cork colleague - is not absolutely fair and mature in reflecting on very serious issues. That has added to the...

Seanad Reform Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I say this as somebody who has repeatedly praised committees such as the Committee of Public Accounts. I have no difficulty with impartial and fair chairing of committees, which is what this House is about. I utterly refute the Deputy's comments in that regard. Notwithstanding his party's new commitment to reform of the Oireachtas, Fianna Fáil has in the past used the support it...

Seanad Reform Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is lame duck politics. The Bill being debated here today is entitled "An Act to reform the method of election of members of Seanad Éireann-----

Seanad Reform Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not shout down others, although I appreciate that the presence of some of those opposite is rare. They probably want to be recorded on the sound system.

Seanad Reform Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is what I want to do. The next time the Deputies speak they could at least be surrounded by other Members.

Seanad Reform Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: In repealing the Seanad electoral acts and replacing certain provisions in those Acts, the Bill, on the face of it, reforms the method of election of Members of the Seanad. However, in the view of the Government, many of the provisions in this Bill are either incomplete or would be unworkable in the form presented. The Government has already settled its approach to Seanad reform following...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fishing Licences (27 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The annual allocation of public licences for commercial draft nets is governed by the relevant Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, in this case Statutory Instrument No. 132 of 2014. This Order also sets out the closing date for receipt of applications for public licences for commercial draft nets as 5pm on 28 March 2014. Any person over the age of 18 is entitled to apply for a public draft...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Search and Rescue Service (27 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), has delegated responsibility to provide search and rescue (SAR) and preventative services for the Ireland internationally assigned search and rescue region, the littoral area, rivers, lakes, waterways, mountains, caves and offshore islands. The provision of support for inland waterways SAR in a similar manner to supports for mountain rescue is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (25 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have made it clear on a number of occasions that any application for an exploration licence proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing as part of an unconventional gas exploration programme would be subject to a full environmental impact assessment. An environmental impact assessment, which requires public consultation as well as consultation with prescribed bodies, entails consideration of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (25 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: As I indicated in my response to Questions Nos. 240 and 241 of 4 March 2014, all research completed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), since its establishment in 2010, is publicly available on the organisation's website . While the information sought prior to IFI’s establishment is not as readily available, I understand that, following my request outlined in my response to the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fish Farming (25 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 620 and 621 together. I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that they received communication on 14 February from the company (licensee), in the location referred to by the Deputy, that it was likely that an escape of farmed salmon from their marine salmon aquaculture site had occurred as a consequence of very poor weather conditions which had...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (25 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have previously outlined the position on this matter in the House. The legislative framework governing inland fisheries is extensive, but quite dated. While the principal instrument is the 1959 Inland Fisheries Act, there are a myriad of other provisions. I made clear some time ago my intention to work to bring forward a legislative code fit for the twenty-first Century and have been...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (13 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. An increased deployment of sustainable biofuels will be necessary in order to achieve this target. Following concerns that the use of certain categories of biofuels could have Indirect Land-Use Change (ILUC) effects...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government acknowledges that SMEs are the lifeblood of the Irish economy and play a crucial role in employment growth in our country. Since March 2011 Government policy has concentrated on ensuring that viable micro, small and medium sized enterprises have access to capital, equity and debt funding from a more diverse range of sources. Experience has shown us that not only do SMEs need...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Higgins for her comments and assure her that the statistics she presented earlier, which are very useful, as well as her views and comments will be brought to the attention of the Minister for Finance.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Building Regulations Amendments (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Reilly for raising the issue, which I am happy to take on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Hogan. I am aware of the role and contribution made by architectural technologists in the design and construction of dwellings and other buildings. The recent building control amendment regulations empower competence and professionalism in construction activity and, as such, will increase...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: We need to ensure that if we can help each other in terms of energy that we do so. In particular, we need to develop regions that do not have the grid they need. This is a major task for all, whether North or South. We need the grid to ensure reliability of supply to businesses and households. We need it to take the power from where it is generated to where it is needed. We need to reduce...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: What is the Senator for?

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí as ucht an díospóireacht seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Glacaim go bhfuil tuairimí á nochtadh ar gach taobh ar an ábhar seo. Ar dtús, caithfidh mé ceist a chur ar Shinn Féin faoi cad atá siad i bhfabhar. An bhfuil siad i bhfabhar aon rud?