Results 11,781-11,800 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Flood Prevention Measures (5 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am happy to bring the Senator's comments to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and his officials. This work must be done properly and as quickly as possible. I assure the Senator that the Minister of State is aware of her views on expediting the work.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Flood Prevention Measures (5 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Clune for raising this important matter. I apologise for the absence of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, who is unable to be present. I will bring the Senator's comments to his attention. The Government is acutely aware of the flooding situation in Cork city and surrounding areas. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has visited the city on many occasions in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Hardship Scheme (4 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland’s salmon rivers are managed on an individual basis by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) as each salmon river has a genetically unique stock. Management is based on the advice of the Independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) for Salmon. Available surpluses (if any) in each river are calculated annually for each individual river based on the scientific analysis and managerial...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the 2007 EU Eel regulation (1100/2007). The plan outlined the following main management actions aimed at reducing eel mortality and increasing silver eel escapement to the sea: a cessation of the commercial eel fishery and closure of the market, mitigation of the impact of hydropower installations, ensure upstream...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (4 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have stated on a number of occasions that I do not propose to consider applications for petroleum authorisations in respect of projects proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing until the EPA Research Programme has concluded and there has been time to consider the findings. In November of last year, the EPA launched a call for tenders to appoint the relevant expertise to conduct detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (4 Feb 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Three onshore licensing options were granted in the term of the previous Government for the two year period from 1 March 2011 to 28 February 2013, over parts of the North West Carboniferous (Lough Allen) Basin and parts of County Clare. The licensing options conferred upon the holder the first right, exercisable at any time during the period of the option, to an application for an exploration...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Question Nos 398 to 402, inclusive, together. I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that there is no proposal to establish an interpretative centre at Cong, Co Mayo. IFI owns and operates a fish hatchery located in the centre of Cong, and is currently carrying out a review of hatchery operations generally with a view to rationalising and improving efficiency and...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: On behalf of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I wish to reassure the Deputy it is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and to maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices. Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Penrose for his views and I assure him that I will bring them to the Minister. In 2012, revenue earned from Government business amounted to over €179 million, consisting of mails income at €50 million; election and referendum, €4 million; Department of Social Protection, €59 million; NTMA, €54 million; television and dog licences, €12...

Topical Issue Debate: Inland Fisheries Ireland Funding (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Mulherin for raising this matter. I have discussed it with her on a previous occasion and I am aware, therefore, of its importance to her and to the people of Ballina. Her key question relates to what is going to happen with regard to the commitments that have been made in respect of the town. I intend to contact the chief executive of Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI,...

Topical Issue Debate: Inland Fisheries Ireland Funding (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for her comments. I will ensure that details on the costings relating to the design of the project at Cong will be made available to her as soon as possible. I will also ensure the proposed meeting will take place in the near future and that the stakeholders to whom she refers will be involved. I look forward to that meeting being held, hopefully in the next week or so.

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank all the Deputies for the welcome they have given to the Bill and for their considered contribution to the debate. While the Bill deals with the regulation of the remote gambling sector and provides the basis for the fair and equal tax treatment of all bookmakers, whether traditional or remote, the debate has covered a wide range of related issues. Several Deputies have commented on...

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Referral to Select Committee (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Finance pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Good.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: At its own initiative the Europeam Commission has issued a Recommendation providing minimum principles for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons (especially shale gas) by means of high volume hydraulic fracturing. This Recommendation was included as part of a set of proposals published by the Commission on 22 January, 2014 and is available on the Commission's website. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have stated on a number of occasions that I do not propose to consider applications for petroleum authorisations in respect of projects proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing until the EPA Research Programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings. In November of last year the EPA launched a call for tenders, with the selection process to conclude by March this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Industry Data (30 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: There have been no commercial discoveries of oil or gas within the territory of the State in the last five years. However, Ireland now has the highest number of petroleum exploration authorisations in place since exploration began in our offshore more than four decades ago. With new company entrants in 2013 including large independent oil companies such as Cairn Energy, Kosmos Energy and...

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Senator can contradict whatever she likes. Whatever she thinks is fine. I am telling her what was in the e-mail I received yesterday. She can contradict what she likes, but she cannot contradict the fact that this is what happened. Deputies Cowen and Kevin Humphreys were telephoned to explain that this should not have happened. The question of how parliamentary questions are answered...

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Senator referred to the orbital sewer.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Senator specifically mentioned the Dublin outer sewer. One of the big problems in Dublin is the outer orbital sewer.