Results 11,741-11,760 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Social Welfare Offices (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator, who is also Leas-Chathaoirleach of this House. He is always extremely helpful when I come here.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Social Welfare Offices (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator for bringing this matter before the House and I appreciate his brevity in putting forward his case. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes. I am pleased to have an opportunity to brief the House on the plans by the Department of Social Protection to integrate its services in Bantry, to which end it will be working closely with the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand that the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a voluntary international standard which aims to ensure transparency of payments from natural resources. Chapter 10 of Directive 2013/43/EU of 26 June 2013, also known as the Accounting Directive, introduces an obligation on large undertakings and all public-interest entities active in the extractive industries or...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland has a very clear strategy in respect of the Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration sector, key elements of which are: to seek to maximise the benefits to the people of Ireland from its indigenous natural resources; to provide opportunities and encourage private industry to take the risk associated with investing in exploration; to take initiatives to deepen knowledge of the potential of its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland Research (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) was established in July 2010. All research completed by IFI from that date are publically available on the organisation's website The information sought for the period prior to July 2010 is not readily available. I have, however, asked IFI to liaise directly with the Deputy in this matter to determine...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland Remit (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together. The exercise of its functions are day-to-day operational matters for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I am advised by IFI that it carries out these functions in compliance with the requirements of all relevant EU and National legislative provisions. I am also advised that IFI operates to it's Corporate Plan 2011-15. This plan was set...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (4 Mar 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Responsibility for protecting the freshwater pearl mussel falls within the remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that their management of River Basin Districts involves on-going liaison with the NPWS to ensure consistency in terms of the responsibilities of both bodies having regard to the protection of freshwater pearl mussels.

Post Office Network: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (26 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government has listened carefully to all the points made by Members on all sides of the House during this important debate on the future sustainability of the post office network. It is clear to everyone that the passion with which all speakers have addressed the debate demonstrates the widespread regard, trust and loyalty for the nationwide network of post offices. Yesterday, the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Development Companies Administration (26 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator for placing the matter before the House. I apologise for the delay in arriving here but Senators moved faster than anticipated.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Development Companies Administration (26 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The approach that the Minister is pursuing, regarding the enhanced alignment between local government and local development, is part of the Government approved local government reforms contained in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government. His aim is to bring about greater co-ordination and targeting of scarce resources, reduce duplication and to provide a more...

Seanad: Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Quinn for the work he has done in bringing the legislation to this stage. Out of respect for the House and its Members, it is important to set out clearly the Government's position on these amendments and on the Bill. It will be recalled that in 2011, the Government announced that it had decided not to proceed with legislation to abolish upward-only rent reviews. In that...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together. The Department of Agriculture Food and Marine (DAFM) is the lead Department as regards the re-opened pilot case concerning finfish aquaculture and I am advised that DAFM sought the observations of my Department on 7 January and observations were returned ahead of the deadline of 15 January. Further observations were subsequently sought...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Youth Services Funding (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Reilly for raising this matter, which I will take on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. The Minister is conscious of the great benefits that can accrue to young people from involvement in youth work and the benefits for society as a whole. Youth projects and organisations present valuable opportunities to young people for their...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Inter-Country Adoptions (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is what the Minister has written. I will take that issue up with her.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Inter-Country Adoptions (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will make the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, aware of Senator Burke's comments.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Building Regulations Amendments (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator Daly for bringing this issue before the House. I take this debate on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan. The new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Building Regulations Amendments (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Daly for his comments. I assure him that I agree that the question asked must be answered. I regret that this has not been the case. I will take it up as a matter of urgency with the Department. It takes time and effort to raise a matter on the Adjournment and it should be answered in a direct way.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Haulage Industry Regulation (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Gabhaim buíochas don Seanadóir as ucht na ceiste seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Tá me ag tabhairt freagra thar cheann an Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt, an Teachta Varadkar. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir, tá cruinniú aige inniu leis an Aire i Sasana. Since 1999 various EU directives have set common rules on distance related tolls...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Haulage Industry Regulation (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator for his comments and I shall relay them to the Minister.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Inter-Country Adoptions (20 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Colm Burke for bringing the matter before the House. I am taking the matter on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The Republic of India has ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption. As a contracting state under the Hague Convention, the Adoption Act 2010 provides that adoptions by Irish...