Results 12,961-12,980 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a very important debate and it comes at a time when the country remains in an extremely difficult position. Internationally, significant financial problems have arisen in countries such as Greece, etc. This debate focuses on a very narrow part of what the Government must do in order to meet the requirements laid down in the agreement with the troika. Nonetheless, I accept there is...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: They are quite willing to engage in populist pandering in this jurisdiction and complain about a household charge of €100. While it is difficult for many households to pay, by international standards it is not a lot of money. Let us compare it with charges in Northern Ireland. A home owner in Dundalk pays €100. Ten miles north of Dundalk, across the Border in Newry and Mourne, a home...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: In Northern Ireland, there are two charges. The Deputies spoke about three charges down here. There are two up there. The regional rate is set by the Northern Ireland Executive in Stormont, of which Sinn Féin is a part. Councils, on which Sinn Féin have members in many cases, set the district rate, which meets needs such as building control, community centres, leisure facilities,...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sinn Féin must accept that there has to be sustainable funding of local government. Notwithstanding the weaknesses in what we are doing now, when the property tax is introduced it will be fairer and I expect socialist parties to support it because it will be based on people's wealth and their ability to pay.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The introduction of the household charge must be seen as a further step to place the funding of local authorities on a relatively stable local basis. A proper broadening of the revenue base for local government will be the result of the household charge and the subsequent full property tax. In this country, local authorities are responsible for certain services and that is where the money...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise. Copies are available.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise. I know they were printed. I am sorry if they are not available. I have been advised that they are available. Perhaps an usher could distribute them.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am sorry. I thought the scripts had been distributed. Similar to the €200 charge on non-principal private residences, an online system was developed by the Local Government Management Agency to enable homeowners to pay the household charge on the Internet. In addition, homeowners can make payment by cheque or postal order. More than 60% of those who have paid to date have done so via...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is just if they are owned by the corporate entity, the State or Government. Exemptions also include a housing authority or the Health Service Executive, voluntary and co-operative housing, residential property subject to commercial rates and wholly used as a dwelling, residential property owned by certain charities or discretionary trusts and residential property which an owner has...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----by significant taxes on every house without exception, including those-----

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is. The charge is even paid on houses that are not occupied.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy O'Brien should check his party's website.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The household charge is an interim measure and will be replaced by a full valuation-based property tax in due course. However, time is required for that and the household charge was necessary as an immediate measure to meet the troika's timeframe. This was the context in which the legislation was introduced. In terms of the full property tax, an independently chaired interdepartmental group...

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will not be upset if the Deputy wishes to do so.

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (12 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Tá mé ag tógaint an Bhille seo thar cheann an Aire Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta, an Teachta Richard Bruton. I thank the Deputies for facilitating the debate on this urgent issue. The Bill, which has already passed all Stages in the Seanad, is compact and focused in nature and proposes a small number of changes to an existing company...

Planning Issues (7 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I regret that the Minister is not present and I must stand in the bearna baol. I will ensure the Deputies' views will be clearly and absolutely brought to the attention of the Minister and his Department. When Deputy Ross was a Senator, he and I sat on the Joint Committee on Transport, as it was known. We called in representatives from CIE...

Planning Issues (7 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies for the views they expressed, specifically on the importance of education. I note also the statistics provided in this regard. I assure Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan that her comments on the importance of community representation in filling the vacancies on the council will be brought to the attention of the Minister. I fully understand the decision to wind up the Dublin...

Planning Issues (7 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: While I presume that is a matter for the Whips, such a debate would make sense. Having matters discussed in committees can also be enlightening as it allows us to extract information from people who may not otherwise volunteer it.

Community Employment Schemes (7 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for his contribution. I will respond on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection who is, unfortunately, not present. I will bring the Deputy's views to her attention. The financial review of community employment schemes is very near to completion. The review has proved to be a valuable exercise for both the schemes and the Department. Given the volume and breadth of...

Community Employment Schemes (7 Jun 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure the Deputy his comments will be brought to the attention of the Minister. I accept all the points he made, especially when he spoke about people who need special rehabilitation. The schemes are very useful to help these people along. The Minister will be made aware of his views.