Results 12,221-12,240 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (24 Oct 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am aware of reports of the incident to which the Deputy refers. No application proposing the use of unconventional gas exploration or extraction has been approved in Ireland. No decision will be made on applications for exploration licences proposing the use of this technology until after the results of the Environmental Protection Agency research into the potential environmental impacts...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (24 Oct 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government's strategy for the exploitation of the State's natural hydrocarbon resources aims to maximise the level of exploration activity and increase the level of production activity, while ensuring a fair return to the State from these activities. It is important then that the State provides suitable opportunities for international investors and provides the right environment to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Connemara Oil Field (24 Oct 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Connemara Oil Field is located in Block 26/28 in the Porcupine Basin, approximately 165 km offshore the west of Ireland, and was discovered by BP in 1979. In 1997, as part of a planned full field development for the Connemara Field, Statoil Exploration Ireland Limited drilled two appraisal wells on the field. The first well was aimed at testing the main reservoir sands of Upper...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (24 Oct 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 164 together. The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each of the past ten years is set out in the following table: Licences Granted during period 2003 - 2013 Year Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Petroleum Exploration Licences 2003 22 0 2004 26 3 2005 51 7 2006 84 4 2007 143 5 2008 91 5 2009...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Establishment (22 Oct 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Water Sector Reform Implementation Strategy, which is published on my Department's website, is focused on ensuring that appropriate policy and legal frameworks are put in place for Irish Water and the water sector. As a first step in this process, the Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann, conforming to the...

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Financial Resolution No. 8: General (Resumed) (16 Oct 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: In the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government one of the significant changes that has taken place is the question of how we deal with our water and water infrastructure. The responsibility for public water supply and waste water, currently with local authorities, will pass to Irish Water from 1 January 2014. Irish Water will have a general duty to provide safe and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (1 Oct 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is current licensing policy that applications for petroleum authorisations in respect of onshore areas will not be considered pending the outcome of the Environmental Protection Agency's studies into the use of hydraulic fracturing, which are expected in early 2015. My Department is not in receipt of petroleum authorisation applications proposing onshore petroleum extraction.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (24 Sep 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Whilst there are no petroleum authorisations extant in respect of Dublin Bay, there are two authorisations in respect of areas in the nearby Kish Bank, namely: Standard Exploration Licence SEL2/11 held by Providence Resources Plc; and Licensing Option LO10/2 held by Albativ Resources Ltd. My Department is not in receipt of a drilling proposal in respect of either of these authorisations. ...

Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Referral to Select Committee (19 Sep 2013)

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

Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank all of the Members who spoke and who raised important and constructive points. I noted the presence of Sinn Féin Member throughout the debate and I want to acknowledge that. I acknowledge the important points raised by that party and others. The Department officials who are here with me have taken note of all the significant points that were made and any questions that I...

Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is a regulated sector.

Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: No.

Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Give the Deputy three minutes.

Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Absolutely.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (18 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: On 13 October 2010, the European Commission presented a communication called ‘Facing the challenge of the safety of offshore oil and gas operations’. Following the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, the Commission carried out an analysis of the legislative and regulatory situation in the European Union, and suggested a course of action, including revision of existing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Properties (18 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 290 on 18 June 2013, matters in relation to the sale of premises are a day to day operational matter for the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) subject to Public Financial Procedures. Details as regards public tendering and the transaction referred to by the Deputy are included on files held by the Board and not the Department. In...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (17 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Three onshore licensing options were granted by the previous Minister of State at the Department, Conor Lenihan, in February 2011 immediately prior to the general election. Two were over parts of the north west carboniferous basin of Lough Allen and one was over parts of County Clare. These licensing options conferred upon the holders the first right to apply for an exploration licence. I...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (17 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Hydraulic fracturing is not an industrial wasteland. I have been to the United States and looked at a site after hydraulic fracturing had taken place and it looks like any normal rural landscape. The assessment which must take place must consider the potential impact of the project on the population, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, the architectural and...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (17 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I spoke to the environmental secretary in Pennsylvania, the person charged with this, about the issue. We must deal with facts, and we will not have the facts until the research is done. All of the issues the Deputy mentioned including the people, the population, the economic conditions, the flora, fauna, the archaeology, the heritage and the landscape are being studied and this is a fact....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Job Creation Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Question Nos. 35 and 36 together. I am committed to facilitating the exploration and development of Ireland's mineral, oil and gas resources with a view to maximising their contribution to Ireland's society and economy, including the provision of employment, whilst having due regard to any potential environmental impact. Exploration and development of mineral, oil or...