Results 12,761-12,780 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----from north Tipperary. The Members have a Tipperary-born Minister before them for his sins. I had no control over that and I cannot get any votes down there. There is a real tangible connection with what is happening in Irish Water directly back down through local government. If the chief executive of Irish Water has worked body and soul in local government, his appointment is a...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is being done.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to reiterate that all issues in relation to low-income households, poverty proofing and the many other important matters raised by Senator Cullinane, will be taken into consideration in terms of this process. In addition, there will be transparency in that regard. The charges when decided on and announced will be open to full debate. This will only work if it is fair and seen to be...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to apologise to the House for my absence earlier and thank Members for enabling me to go to the Dáil, where tributes were paid to Garda Adrian Donohoe. I thank Senators from both sides for agreeing to that because it was important for me, as a Member of the Oireachtas for County Louth, to be there. At the heart of all of this - notwithstanding Senator Cullinane's point about poverty...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: We will just call it Leitrim.

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Look what happened to poor Charlie.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The debate in the House has been first class in terms of its standard and the issues which have been raised. It is very welcome for the Department to listen to the important points which have been raised. The debate affirms the importance of the Seanad. Perhaps six minutes' speaking time was far too much for many Members who will spend a bit longer on the legislation on Committee Stage....

Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I appreciate the Deputy's fundamental point that a full debate must take place in the Oireachtas when issues of this nature arise. The difficulty, however, is that this is an international agreement among the countries concerned that has come before the Oireachtas for ratification. The House cannot change the contents of the agreement. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, has given a...

Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: While I am not the Minister for Finance, I believe such a commitment is implicit in the text. I would be pleased to give a commitment to hold a full debate. What would be the point of the Oireachtas is such important issues were not debated? My strong personal view is that a full debate would be necessary as a full debate is required under the Constitution. There is no point in having a...

Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The House has heard the Deputy's argument before. I am pleased that the vast majority of Irish people and Members of the Oireachtas support the legislation on the basis that it will ensure Greece can meet the new and significant obligations the changes place on its economy. While these changes are having a significant impact, they also allow Greece to remain in the euro, thereby...

Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013: Order for Committee Stage (24 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That Committee Stage be taken now."

Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will follow though on Committee Stage tomorrow. That probably suits everyone.

Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is implicit.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That will not happen.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That makes sense.

Seanad: Community Development: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: There will not be one.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is a very important point. We will do it.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: We will fix the leaks.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I hope it is not mixed with whiskey.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is not the intention to cut anybody off.