Results 11,841-11,860 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt Deputies opposite and I ask that they afford me the same courtesy. The Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, gave that commitment in November last year, an undertaking I reiterated during the debate in the Seanad. In addition, the Taoiseach indicated today that not only would the freedom of information provisions apply to Irish Water but they would be retrospective to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Charges Introduction (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom athbhliain faoi shonas a ghuí ar gach duine sa Teach. I am replying on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, who is currently dealing with legislation in the Seanad. I convey his apologies to the House. The programme for Government contains a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Charges Introduction (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Phelan for her comments which are very important. She is absolutely correct that a consultation process which includes listening to people and making them aware of the issues, is the only way forward. This is our job for the next year. The Commission for Energy Regulation will undertake the consultation process but Members will be fully engaged in the process. I can assure...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the state Agency responsible for the Inland Fisheries Resource, that the River Fergus is currently closed to salmon angling as the most recent available salmon stock information derived from rod catch returns indicates that the river is not meeting its conservation limit. I am also advised that the conservation limit for the River Fergus is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Biofuel Obligation Scheme Targets (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government shares the concerns expressed that biofuel production and its use, unless properly regulated, may not deliver the required greenhouse gas savings and could impact negatively on food production and on food prices. Throughout discussions on the European Commission's proposal to address the risk of indirect land-use change (ILUC), which have been ongoing for almost a year at this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Onshore Exploration (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: With regard to the broader issue of unconventional gas exploration, officials in my Department have had regular contacts with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in relation to onshore exploration authorisations in the two jurisdictions. These contacts have facilitated an exchange of information in relation to the nature of the activities that have been licensed and their associated...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Management Report (15 Jan 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. This is based on the fact that each of Ireland’s 142 salmon rivers has its own genetically unique stock of salmon which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river in adulthood...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The grant of these three Onshore Licensing Options was made subject to compliance with the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production 2007 and in particular with Section 44(2) of the Licensing Terms which requires the holder of an authorisation, in this instance an Onshore Licensing Option, to "at all times keep the Minister effectually indemnified...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Regulation (15 Jan 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together. The legislative code governing inland fisheries is contained in 13 separate Acts which date back to 1959 and there is a need at this stage for consolidation and modernisation of the code. My Department, working closely with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), is finalising a wide-ranging and comprehensive review of the existing legislation...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would like to give my one-minute reply. I have heard everything that has been said here. It is very important that we on this side of the House reflect on what Deputy Naughten has said on those issues. I see him smiling. Through this legislation, the Minister has and will have the power to direct both the CER and Irish Water, if appropriate, to use this power and, where supplies are...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I accept that. Irish Water will be responsible for solving these water quality problems. Its water quality standards will be subject to supervision by the EPA. The drinking water regulations are being updated and the EPA will have powers to direct Uisce Éireann to take actions to protect drinking water supplies. Failure to comply will be an offence. I will reflect on the issues...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister has approved the allocation of funding. I am sure it is only a matter of time before the contracts are signed.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: My Department will get back to the Deputy on that matter.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I hope I am not in the water cabinet.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies for their views, which are most welcome. While I do not necessarily agree with everything they said, it is important that they said it. I agree that the absence of Members who have been significant players in this economy and who are responsible for the arrival of the troika in the first place is regrettable. They marched their troops out and then they marched them in...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I think the use of the word "misled" is wrong. I did not say that 90% of the population currently affected by boil water notices are in Roscommon. I said that 90% of boil notices are in that county. Essentially, nine out of every ten people who have a problem with drinking water quality are living in Roscommon. That is the point I was making.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That was not misleading and I hope the Deputy accepts that.

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is pointing out the section we are dealing with but I have no problem answering the question. Uisce Éireann will be accountable to the Oireachtas through the annual report, just like Irish Rail and other semi-State companies such as Bord Gáis and Bord na Móna. That report is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, so there is no question of the...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy McNamara has this utterly wrong. I will give an example from my experience. The Deputy's party is part of the Government but I sat as part of the Opposition for a number of years, and in that time we ensured that representatives of Irish Rail came in week after week before an Oireachtas committee in order to deal with issues like audits and other operational issues germane and...

Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy is the one who is blustering. I resent that.