Results 12,781-12,800 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Is mór an onóir dom a bheith anseo arís don díospóireacht ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo - uisce agus soláthar uisce don tír go léir. Tá rud speisialta ag gabháil leis an Bille seo agus tá súil agam go mbeidh díospóireacht iomlán againn agus go mbeidh gach éinne in ann dóthain cainte a dhéanamh agus dóthain ceisteanna a chur orm ag Céim an Choiste. This is an important...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Was the Deputy dancing at the crossroads last night?

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

Fergus O'Dowd: Tá an Teachta ag caint ráiméis. Ní chreidfeadh éinne go raibh sé ina shuí ag bord an Rialtais nuair a bhí an tír á scrios.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (23 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have been informed by Inland fisheries Ireland (IFI) that in general an angler may receive a maximum of ten gill tags for the 2013 angling season for the harvesting of salmon (any size) and sea trout (over 40cm) subject to the following: An angler may receive three gill tags to the 11th May where they have been issued with: - a salmon rod (annual) ordinary licence, - a juvenile...

Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013: Order for Second Stage (22 Jan 2013)

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

Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Ba mhaith liom buíochas an Aire Airgeadais a chur faoi bhráid na Dála as ucht an Bille seo a thógaint anocht. Tá sé tábhachtach go dtógfaí an Bille mar tá sé práinneach ó thaobh an mhargaidh nua atá déanta idir an Ghréig, an tAontas Eorpach agus na hAirí...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Relations Contracts (22 Jan 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand that following a competitive public tender process which concluded in October 2012, Bord Gáis Éireann retained the services of brand development agencies for the Irish Water Programme . A process to develop the vision for the new public water uitlity was initiated in November 2012, and will be developed over the coming year. The contract was put in place to deliver...

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: When the Government came into office a year and a half ago the international ten-year rate for our bonds was about 15% and we could not borrow any more at that rate. All of these very difficult financial decisions have had to be made because we have surrendered our economic independence to the troika and we are bound by the conditions under which they lent to us. If there is any measure we...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is dóigh liom go bhfuil an buiséad seo féaráilte, cé nach bhfuil aon dabht ach go bhfuil sé crua ar a lán daoine. Táimid ag troid ar feadh blianta anois chun fostaíocht a chruthú agus chun postanna a chur ar fáil, go háirithe do dhaoine óga. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go leanfar leis an obair seo agus go dtiocfaidh...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Registration of Architects (5 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Absolutely.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Registration of Architects (5 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure the Senator that his comments will be brought to the attention of the responsible officials in the Department.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Registration of Architects (5 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue. There are no plans to amend the arrangements in place for the registration of architects along the lines suggested. Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 provides for the registration of persons permitted to use the title of architect. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, RIAI, has been designated as the registration body. ...

Seanad: Statute of Limitations (Amendment) (Home Remediation-Pyrite) Bill 2012: Second Stage (5 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Departmental officials continue to engage with HomeBond with a view to getting it to re-enter the negotiations to solve this problem. The National Standards Authority of Ireland will set up the best standards in this regard. The pyrite resolution board will commence work in the first quarter of 2013. As stated, that may be the best time for the reintroduction of this proposal for further...

Seanad: Statute of Limitations (Amendment) (Home Remediation-Pyrite) Bill 2012: Second Stage (5 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is an important debate. I welcome the opportunity Fianna Fáil has given to us by organising a discussion on this important issue. It is welcome that the legislation will remain on the Order Paper for further debate as this issue develops. It is a major issue for the thousands of homeowners affected. Senator Averil Power has spoken about the concerns of people she knows in her...

Topical Issues Debate: Gas and Oil Exploration (4 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank both Deputies for their comments. So far, Ireland has had approximately 146 wells drilled. That compares with over 4,000 wells drilled in Britain and over 1,200 in Norway. The reason people have not been coming here until now is that a chance of a find is much greater elsewhere. We have resources in the Department, and the petroleum affairs decision is very much involved in the...

Topical Issues Debate: Gas and Oil Exploration (4 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank both Deputies for putting this matter before the House for debate. It is an important and current debate and I wish to refer to some of the facts. The first fact obviously is that were oil to be discovered off the Kerry coast or off any other part of the coast, it would indeed be good news. I can confirm for Members that there has not, as yet, been a discovery of oil off the Kerry...

Other Questions: EU Directives (4 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Set closed periods for the spreading of fertilisers, including slurry, is a requirement of the Nitrates Directive and is mandatory. The purpose of closed periods is to protect ground and surface water bodies, including drinking water sources, by prohibiting the application of fertilisers when such application poses an unacceptable risk to water courses. The closed periods in Ireland were...

Other Questions: Building Regulations (4 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Daly put her finger on the issue. Non-invasive inspections are visual inspections in many respects, and unless someone is physically examining each stage of construction as it proceeds there cannot be absolute certainty about any construction. People certified the works were in order when they were not, as the Deputy rightly pointed out. Local authorities and the building...

Other Questions: Building Regulations (4 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have met fire officers in local authorities and they are very active. Highly professional staff examine all of these issues and I am sure that first and foremost in their minds is identification. In Offaly, 22% of valid commencement notices were inspected in 2010 where previously the level had been much lower, perhaps 10% or 15%. A total of 408 buildings were inspected with regard to...

Other Questions: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Dec 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister has stated repeatedly that he is prepared to consider all possible options to provide financial support to householders whose systems are deemed, following inspection, to require substantial remediation or upgrading. Any financial support will have regard to the overall budgetary situation and the financial position of individual households. I understand this matter is under...