Results 12,441-12,460 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Spending (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I repeat that this was not in the question put down for priority answer. Having raised it, I will bring the points raised by the Deputy to the attention of the Minister and Department for direct reply.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ireland and our EU partners are gravely concerned about reports of human rights violations by the Malian authorities. Such allegations must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible should be held accountable. Respect for human rights is at the core of all of Ireland's engagement in overseas missions. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2071 (2012) calls on the EU to provide...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: First, in regard to what Deputy Ellis stated, it was announced in the Dáil on the night of the budget that this would happen. I appreciate that-----

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: In terms of transparency and accountability it is clear what is going to happen. We are accountable for it as we are accountable here today, listening to everything Deputies have to say. It is like buying a house. When the Government came to office the foundations of the house were rotten and the house could not stand. The nation could not stand. The finances of this country were in an...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I acknowledge the arguments that were made but we must proceed. I accept the integrity of the Deputies' position and I believe they accept ours in making these decisions. Although they may disagree profoundly with them we believe this action must be taken. That is why it is in the legislation.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 4: In page 3, line 7, after “thereunder;” to insert “to amend the Local Government Act 1998;”.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----of how much is collected and what the equalisation figures are for each county. I will ask that the Department to provide the Deputy with that information.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Apologies, Deputy Stanley. I can read the response provided to the amendment. The need and resource model was developed in 2000 to assist in the determination of the allocation of general purpose grants to local authorities. The aim of the model is to bring about equalisation between local authorities over time so that each will have sufficient resources from a combination of central...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 3: In page 12, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "Amendment of section 6 of Local Government Act 19986. Section 6 (amended by section 6 of the Act of 2012) of the Local Government Act 1998is amended—(a) by substituting the following subsection for subsection (2C):"(2C) (a) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), the Minister may, on or before 31 December...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: This amendment proposes to amend the Long Title to provide for the insertion of the words "to amend the Local Government Act 1998".

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I note that Deputies are opposed to the increases that took effect from 1 January 2013. I recognise that any increase in tax is unwelcome, this being the second increase in as many years. However, it is an unavoidable fact that the new CO2-based system introduced in July 2008, has resulted over time in a decline in motor tax receipts. This means it has worked. Instead of the switch being...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will ask the Department to provide the Deputy with that information.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: A maximum of €150 million from the fund will go to central taxation. It does not necessarily mean that all that amount will be taken. The Deputy is correct in his point about emissions. The legislation will provide transparency. Everybody has the right to comment on it and to question it. In regard to what Deputy Ellis said, what he is asking for is a county by county breakdown-----

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise for my late arrival but I had been told the meeting was to commence at 2.15 p.m.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:“Amendment of section 1 of Act of 1952 3.Section 1 of the Act of 1952 is amended in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) (amended by section 3 of the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Act 2008) by substituting “€119” for “€99”.”.The purpose of this...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is not a matter for my Department. Amendments being ruled out of order is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas, as I understand it.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is not the Department that makes such rulings. An amendment either meets the criteria laid down by the Houses of the Oireachtas or it does not. If an amendment involves a potential charge on the people, it must be ruled out of order. It is not a decision for the Department to make.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (14 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: In the context of the rules of the House, the amendment cannot be allowed. However, the Deputy can make the points he wishes to make to the relevant section of the Bill. The Deputy is not being prevented from speaking on the issue.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (13 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: As Senator Mooney correctly points out, it is a local authority that is making the decision in terms of its development plan to do something in a particular area. That is part of the local authority's planning process, etc. I cannot say here that a particular group water scheme will come into public ownership as a result of Irish Water. That would be a local matter for them to negotiate.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (13 Mar 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: To be fair and honest on this one, in the next Bill the policy must be clarified, in other words, how one resolves the issue, should the situation arise, as I am sure it will, of the powers as between those of a local authority that wants to do action X and Irish Water that does not want to do it. There is also the question of planning. If a local authority, town council or city decides to...