Results 11,761-11,780 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Recent Flooding: Statements (Resumed) (19 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: He is just in time.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Emergency Plan Implementation (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland lies in a geologically stable part of the world, far removed from active plate tectonic boundaries. Tsunami-generating earthquakes have occurred in the wider north Atlantic region and hazard assessments by the Geological Survey of Ireland indicate that there is a small threat to Ireland from such events. Tsunami threats to Ireland include; a repeat of the 1755 magnitude 8.6 Lisbon...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: North-South Interconnector Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Detailed studies have been conducted for the project, most recently by the Independent International Commission of Experts appointed in July 2011 which reported in February 2012. An earlier route-specific underground analysis was also conducted by PB Power. Further detailed information on the matter is available from EirGrid. EirGrid has set up a telephone “hotline" to allow...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Officials in my Department and I meet with TG4 on a regular basis to discuss a range of policy and Corporate Governance matters; most recently my officials met with TG4 in January of this year. These meetings are supplemented by frequent informal communications. Discussions occasionally include TG4's HD carriage on Saorview, notwithstanding the commercial nature of any such decisions and the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Flood Prevention Measures (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that the site referred to by the Deputy is located in the tidal section of the Laune river and is within the Natura 2000 designated Special Area Of Conservation of the Castlemaine Harbour. Development or works on the foreshore in this area are subject to the requirements of the Foreshore Act and are also a notifiable action under the EU Habitats Directive. Both the Act and the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Flood Prevention Measures (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that he site referred to by the Deputy is in the tidal section of the Feale (Cashen) River in the Shannon River Water Basin District. Development or works on the tidal (foreshore) area are subject to the requirements of the Foreshore Act which is under the remit of the Department of Environment Community and Local Government. I am further advised that site is also included in the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Waterways Maintenance (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised that, on request from a landowner, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) will discuss their requirements and/or concerns to assist in alleviating any issues and to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation within the Fisheries Acts . I am also advised that there are locations where the requirements of EU Habitats Directive, in respect of certain species and their habitat, would...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The enforcement of bye law 533 of 1966 is exercised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I am advised by IFI that, on an operational basis, the bye-law is construed as prohibiting snorkelling to target shellfish. Interpretation of the bye law would be a matter for the Courts.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Programmes (18 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The matter is not one for which my Department has responsibility, nor has any voted allocation ever been provided to my Department or its Agencies in respect of same. I am advised that the proposed project is being led by Ballina Town Council and enquiries as regards to its prioritisation and the anticipated timeframe for any delivery should be addressed directly to the Council. I also...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure the Deputy that I will bring his comments to the attention of the Minister and the Department. I fully appreciate his concerns with regard to the people who live in the Barnaderg area of his constituency and the threat to their local post office.

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I acknowledge the issues raised by the Deputy and I will ensure the Minister and the Department are made aware of them. The Government has responded quickly to recent weather events. A total of €25 million has been available to flooding victims and it will be administered by the Department of Social Protection to deal with the immediate, significant and serious causes of hardship and...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I assure him that his comments will be brought to his attention directly. An Post is committed to a strong and viable post office network and supports the maintenance of the maximum number of economically viable post offices. The commercial operation of...

Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Projects (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Glacaim leis an méid atá ráite ag na Teachtaí. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall a chinntiú go dtarlóidh an cruinniú sin chomh luath agus is féidir. I accept what Deputy Ó Cuív is saying and the genuineness of his views. I will express them to the Minister and the Department immediately and seek a meeting with the accountable bodies,...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy O'Donovan for bringing this matter before the House. As he rightly points out, the recent extreme weather events have been unprecedented. The impacts in terms of flooding, damage to property, infrastructure and land have been severe, with many locations being adversely affected on more than one occasion, causing undue hardship for many citizens. While the recent extreme...

Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Projects (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sheol mé uirthi blianta fada ó shin.

Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Projects (13 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis na Teachtaí a chur an díospóireacht seo faoi bhráid na Dála. Tuigim na fadhbanna atá luaite acu. Glacaim leis go bhfuil cúis an-mhaith ann go bhfuil díospóireacht anseo ar an ábhar seo. Tá mé ag caint anseo thar ceann an Aire. Níl sé anseo. Ní féidir liom...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Stocks (11 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 19 of 30 January 2014 and 376 of 4 February 2014. With regard to the Waterford region, I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that the advice from Ireland's scientists on the independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) for Eels does not support any assertion that stocks "in the Suir and Barrow could sustain a commercial harvest”. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fishing Vessel Licences (11 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Salmon stocks in Ireland are assessed on an individual river basis because each river contains a genetically unique stock. The annual assessment is carried out by the independent Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon and underpins management decisions for the coming season. Following scientific assessment and management advice, the surplus (if any) available in each river is established...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Strategy Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: My Department is currently finalising a Bioenergy Strategy, with a view publishing it as soon as possible. The strategy will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that a sustainable bioenergy sector could make to achieving the 2020 renewable energy target for Ireland. A strong bioenergy sector could also make important contributions to a wide range of Government policy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Proposed Legislation (11 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer the Deputy to my previous replies on this matter, the most recent being on 30 January. These responses comprehensively address the issues raised by the Deputy. On the issue of consultation, as part of the review of the Inland Fisheries legislation, I organised a series of public information and consultation meetings (Drogheda, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tuam, Clonmel and Dublin). In...