Results 12,141-12,160 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I know that. I will be as brief as possible. The Deputies opposite need to examine the independent analysis from Forbes and other international magazines and journals because they will discover that we have restored both our economy and our credibility and that our budgetary policy is having an impact.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: No; sorry-----

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not name him.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to respond to that.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: On Committee Stage the Minister, Deputy Noonan, made it clear that his position remained unchanged and that he did not believe there was a great deal of difference in principle between his position and that of Deputy Doherty. Analysis can play a very important part, but it should not be applied to everything, particularly in instances where we do not deem it necessary. If the cost in terms...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: And transport.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Perhaps Deputy Doherty has a problem remembering things. He spoke about developers. The biggest developer who was involved in the biggest controversy in the country for a long time was a member of his party.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, he was. He spent some time in a certain house in the North and in his house in Dublin he hid a few bob, amounting to €250,000, in the bathroom and forgot about it. The relationship between developers and the Deputy's party is very clear. I know that those opposite do not like it, but the number of people in employment increased by more than 58,000 this year.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I hope the Deputy is going to apologise.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I examined that and I note there is a separate account and water charges are included in all of those accounts, but it is separately identified. They are not part of the actual charge but they are part of the costs. Senator Ó Clochartaigh can dance around it whatever way he likes, the facts are it is a con job that he is trying to put on the electorate.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: If Deputy Gerry Adams is in the Ulster Bank putting his money in or taking it out, whatever house he goes home to at night, he is paying in the North when he is living there.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: If his neighbour in the North is building an extension, or even a shed, they have to pay extra for that as well. Let us have truth and reality here.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: We are the only country in the OECD that does not charge for water. That deals with most of the points raised by Senator Ó Clochartaigh. I will now respond to Senator Whelan. We must face the reality that we have a Victorian infrastructure. There are cases where people must boil all water. Senator Cummins mentioned that some years ago the people of Galway had no potable water for...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: There will be no separate national number for elected members, but local personnel will be identified who will be able tell the public representatives what is happening.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It will be a person that the Senator knows personally. He or she will know who is the Senator or public representative and will be apply to supply the direct and immediate response.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am happy to take questions. I have been told by Uisce Éireann that it is appointing communications staff who will deal specifically with elected members; that each elected member will know who they are; how to contact them and that the database will be very clear and transparent. I urge Members to table amendments because Committee Stage, which will be taken shortly although I am not...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----as I found out when I was canvassing in his area. Senator Brennan always got the No. 1 but he did a fantastic job. He mentioned increasing reservoir capacity in areas of rural north Louth. I will try to get an answer for the Senator on that issue. I will ask the Department to contact him. I do not know the specific issues but Irish Water is about planning for the future and ensuring...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, if it has to be increased - in order that there can be increased development or to meet new industrial or other planning issues. The question of protocols in commercial premises was raised. Notwithstanding the Senator's views on not allowing disconnections, because under the Bill disconnections will happen, the key point is that there must an understanding and empathetic relationship...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le gach Seanadóir a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht seo. Measaim go raibh díospóireacht oscailte againn. Bhí tuairimí á nochtadh ar ghach taobh den Teach agus tá an aidhm céanna ag an chuid is mó dínn ar a lán ábhar. Tuigim, áfach, go bhfuil ceist spesialta ag an...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: North Tipperary.