Results 12,941-12,960 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: In the event that the position of the Department of Finance and Central Bank in regard to audit exemptions for insurance intermediaries changes, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation would be prepared to consider making amendment to these provisions in a manner acceptable to the prudential supervisors. Such amendments will be considered in the context of an appropriate company...

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the points made by the Deputies and I am happy to clarify the issues. With regard to the letter referred to by Deputy O'Dea, it contains other paragraphs which I will read into the record. I do not know whether the Deputy has a copy of it. Deputy O'Dea's quote from the letter was: "The proposed amendments included removing insurance intermediaries from the scope of the Investment...

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy O'Dea was in government in 2009 and 2010 and, thankfully, for only a short period of 2011. That Government failed to bring in the regulations over a number of years.

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt Deputy O'Dea and I ask him to listen to me as I listened to him. The Government of which he was a member did not do it when it was in power and we are doing it now. We are making a commitment with regard to the appropriate vehicle when the regulations are in place.

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: If we were to include it now, the problem would be how to protect the public with regard to audits, requirements and regulations when the change is made.

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Members of the public receive services from these companies. The public must be protected. The Central Bank is not happy at this stage for it to go ahead. It wants everyone to move forward together and put through this Bill. The previous Government did not do it and we are saying that we will do it. It is as simple as this. It is very clear to all objective commentators what we are...

Road Safety (27 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Certain people lost their jobs.

Hospital Accommodation (27 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am replying to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I can assure the Deputies that the comments they made will certainly be brought to his attention as soon as possible. It is a very important issue and the HSE South Tipperary General Hospital regrets that because of increased activity some patients are experiencing delay in being transferred from the emergency department to...

Hospital Accommodation (27 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Patient care is paramount in South Tipperary General Hospital. The situation is a priority for hospital management and is being continuously and actively reviewed. Additional staff are in the emergency department to ensure patient care and safety at all times. Hospital management wishes to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all staff during this busy period to ensure that all those...

Hospital Accommodation (27 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure the two Deputies opposite who have articulated their strong views that the Minister will be made aware of their points of view. Either the staff are doing their best or they are not and it is clear that the two Deputies are commending the staff and the organisation of the hospital and its capacity to respond, given the difficult situation. I refer to three significant achievements...

Written Answers — Salmon Management: Salmon Management (26 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would draw the Deputy's attention to the response I gave to the House on 1st May last on both issues. In relation to the issue of salmon smolts going to sea, the Electricity Supply Board operate 10 large-scale hydro-electric stations located on the Rivers Shannon, Erne, Liffey, Lee and the Clady/Crolly. ESB have advised that during the downward salmon migration to sea (March-early June),...

Hydraulic Fracturing (26 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: On 11 May 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, published its preliminary research into the environmental aspects of shale gas extraction in the form of a small desk-based study carried out by the University of Aberdeen. Among the main findings of this review was the observation that the integrity of the well is vital for minimising potential impact in regard to fracking in terms...

Hydraulic Fracturing (26 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I agree that we must have full engagement with the public, particularly with regard to the terms of reference of this study. A steering committee will comprise, among others, representatives of the Department of the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Environmental...

Hydraulic Fracturing (26 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I presume that the Department itself will be involved in the research along with the EPA. The key thing is that we get robust scientific facts, not fiction. Whatever the facts are we must find them in their finest, broadest, most scientific and analytical detail. The terms of reference will be on the websites of the Department and the EPA freely, openly and transparently so people can make...

Hydraulic Fracturing (26 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. The only ones that have been issued were issued by the former Minister of State, Mr. Conor Lenihan. He is the only person who issued a licensing option. Nothing else will happen until this research is launched. The Deputy does have a point, however, in that under the licensing option issued by the previous Government, the company will have an opportunity before end-March 2013 to...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (21 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations of an independent assessment, to establish a public water utility company, Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. Following further consideration as to whether Irish Water should be established as a new entity or whether existing bodies in...

Written Answers — Irish Water: Irish Water (20 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together. The Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations of an independent assessment, to establish a public water utility company, Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. Following further consideration as to whether Irish Water should be...

Seanad: Fisheries Protection (20 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Táim chun é seo a léamh, cé go bhfuil sé beagáinín fada agus má bhíonn orm teacht isteach an dara uair, déanfaidh mé é sin. Wild salmon in Ireland are part of our rich national heritage and biological tapestry, and Ireland is one of the most renowned natural producers of wild salmon in the North Atlantic. Ireland traditionally operated a commercial, offshore, mixed stock fishery,...

Seanad: Fisheries Protection (20 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Fisheries Protection (20 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tourists from Germany, Britain, America or anywhere else are more than welcome to come to this country to catch fish in areas where that is allowed. Irish people like Senator O'Donovan and me are welcome to do the same. There is no difference in that respect. The Senator and I know each other for a long time, so I can say to him with respect that the curtain is falling on the salmon stocks...