Results 12,241-12,260 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (17 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Earlier this year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced the draft terms of reference for the more extensive second stage of its research into the use of hydraulic fracturing, the final results of which are expected in early 2015. The key questions to be addressed by this research are, -To establish if shale gas exploration and extraction involving the use of the fracking...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Tax Yield (17 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: There have been four commercial natural gas discoveries since exploration began offshore Ireland in the early 1970s, namely the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven Heads (Kinsale area), producing gas fields off the coast of Cork and the Corrib gas field off the coast of Mayo. There have been no commercial discoveries of oil to date. Despite the low level of commercial discoveries to date,...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland currently imports approximately 95% of its natural gas needs and 100% of its oil requirements. Successful development of our indigenous resources would contribute to significantly reducing dependence on imported supply. There have been four commercial natural gas discoveries since exploration began offshore Ireland in the early 1970s, namely the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (17 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: There are various methodologies currently being used with respect to minerals and petroleum exploration both onshore and offshore Ireland that will continue to be used into the future. Exploration for “unconventional gas” or “shale gas” is a live issue in a number of EU Member States. Exploration is on-going in a number of Member States while others have taken...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Establishment (17 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together. The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann, conforming to the conditions contained in the Act and registered under the Companies Acts. The Act provides that Irish Water will be required to submit an annual report on the performance of its functions each year...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (17 Jul 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. A key objective is to rationalise the cost of the current service delivery and ensure more efficient operation of water services by moving from 34 water services...

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The messages given by certain parties were acted on by the public, which can be seen in the paltry presence of the Deputy's party in this Chamber. I wish to make clear that in 2011, funding from my Department for RAPID was €2.269 million. This year, it is €3.077 million, so notwithstanding the serious economic difficulties we all face, the fact is that money was significantly...

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The RAPID programme covers urban areas designated as disadvantaged by reference to a range of socio-economic criteria including the level of early school leaving, the proportion of one-parent households, the unemployment rate, the proportion of social housing and the age dependency ratio. The RAPID programme aims to ensure priority attention is given to tackling the concentration of poverty...

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Okay. No problem.

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have no responsibility for that issue in the Department.

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to answer personally. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, would be able to give the Deputy the details he is seeking, which are not mentioned in Question No. 62. Therefore, I cannot give him an answer. I accept there are financial difficulties but clearly the budget for RAPID is a priority budget. In 2004, it was €3.276 million while it will be €3.077 million for 2013....

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The issue of rainwater harvesting raised by Deputy Joan Collins is an important point. Conservation measures must go hand in hand with water metering in order to get public acceptance of what is happening. The selling of the message through Irish Water, Uisce Éireann, to the consumer is critical. I concur that all the issues need to be addressed in order that the public understands...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would be happy to share with the Deputy the information I have. The question of privatisation does not, will not, cannot and is not arising. The next legislation in this area will make that absolutely clear. The existing legislation does not allow for privatisation. The legislation in the course of preparation will make that as crystal clear as is possible and I would be confident that...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: They are not compelled. That is a critical point, which I accept, but I assume they would have to have very good reasons not to opt for a company that is pre-qualified, local, that has the capacity and has tax clearance certificates. However, it does not preclude Uisce Éireann from doing-----

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I cannot say that. I believe that Irish Water has said that but I personally have not seen anything about that matter but that is what the firm is on record as saying. I understand, subject to correction, that there will be three regional contractors of the eight different regions followed by the subcontracting. The start date for metering will be announced shortly. It is imminent. When...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I agree the representatives on the board is an important point. Unfortunately, the Minister, Deputy Hogan, is not here to clarify the position regarding his proposals on that. As I said, it will also involve the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, but the Deputy's points are well-made. I do not see any reason there will not be a satisfactory conclusion in terms of the principle involved. If that...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will answer those questions as best I can. In the context of the first of them, in my initial reply I provided a clear answer on block meters. A parallel process will obtain here. Block meters are essential and useful. They measure the amount of water going into a particular block of properties - be it 24 houses or 300 - and one can then ascertain how much of this is being used. They...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy's first question relates to the audit and to the costs involved in bringing the network up to date before metering commences. Each local authority is involved in an ongoing process to identify the number of homes with single water supplies which can be upgraded immediately. Some homes have shared water supplies and for others the point of entry for the supply is to the rear of...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 59, 68, 71, 81, 88, 91, 93 and 835 together. The programme for Government and the memorandum of understanding with the EU, IMF and ECB provide for the introduction of domestic water charges. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Services Provision (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: With respect, it has to be done properly and well. Although it may take up to seven years it does not mean each process is not fully thought out and planned. All of the issues that might arise must be dealt with. The project requirements for implementation by 2020 include the planning phase and the preparation of the environmental impact assessment; the preparation and submission of the...