Results 13,041-13,060 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Mahon Tribunal Report: Statements (Resumed) (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: This important debate comes after a long process, much of which was debated in the public domain, and after a long period of reflection for the tribunal before producing a result. The findings of the tribunal are serious, significant and true. As other Deputies have said, planning corruption has been endemic in our country. It is not the case that all the right is on one side and all the...

Poolbeg Incinerator (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan. The Poolbeg project is provided for in the Dublin regional waste management plan for which the four Dublin local authorities have statutory responsibility under the Waste Management Acts. The facility is being advanced by Dublin City Council, acting on behalf of...

Poolbeg Incinerator (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will bring the Deputy's comments to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Hogan. The programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection whereby service providers will bid to provide waste collection services in a given area for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service. The approach to the future regulation of...

Sheep Worrying (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. As a Deputy from Louth, I am very much aware of this issue. The control of dogs, including for the harassing of livestock, is vested in local authorities under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. The Act sets out the duties of local authorities, the powers of local authority dog wardens and the...

Sheep Worrying (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Officials from Louth County Council met recently with a delegation of local IFA hill farmers on this matter and it continues to be active in addressing this problem. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government recently publicised this issue in association with Comhairle na Tuaithe, the Countryside Council, to raise awareness among dog owners who take part in...

Job Losses (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, who is unavoidably absent. I note and take on board all of the comments-----

Job Losses (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt the Deputy.

Job Losses (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am present to read the Minister's script and I would be more than happy to communicate to her the strength and significance of the contributions that have been made by the Deputies, who are from almost all parties in the House, so that she can understand the concerns, frustrations and deep disillusionment of the workers who have found themselves in this situation. The Minister's...

Job Losses (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: As I previously noted, I am taking this matter in the unavoidable absence of the Minister for Social Protection. I was given the script by her Department and I am required to read it. It may well be as dry as dust but that is what I have been asked to read. I have no particular knowledge of this issue but I acknowledge the strong feelings that the Deputies have expressed. I am confident...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Phase I of the independent assessment proposed an initial transition strategy based on a staged approach involving: · Appointment of an interim board and Project Management Office in 2012 pending the establishment of Irish Water under its own statute by mid 2013; · Irish Water would acquire statutory responsibility for water services in mid 2013, with ownership of assets transferring...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Go away.

Banking Sector Regulation: Motion (Resumed) (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: People here seem to suffer from a rather significant absence of memory and seem to forget that Fianna Fáil was in power for 16 of the past 20 years.

Banking Sector Regulation: Motion (Resumed) (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Whatever they might think, the public will never forget the way it was led into the current situation. An unsustainable housing and property boom was led by developers, their friends in Fianna Fáil-----

Banking Sector Regulation: Motion (Resumed) (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not interrupt other speakers. Perhaps it is too much to expect that they might have manners now. The people will not forget why they are in the current situation and why people borrowed way in excess of what they could afford for properties that are now valueless.

Banking Sector Regulation: Motion (Resumed) (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would like to speak, if I can.

Banking Sector Regulation: Motion (Resumed) (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: People are in a very difficult position financially. They have mortgages they cannot pay and have lost jobs. The reason for that is the mismanagement of the country for many years.

Banking Sector Regulation: Motion (Resumed) (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: We accept responsibility for what we have to do. One cannot wipe away 16 years of mismanagement.

Banking Sector Regulation: Motion (Resumed) (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not have a problem sticking to my script but if the Deputy stuck to the facts it would be somewhat helpful. Perhaps it is time he did another show with the Rubber Bandits. He was most successful when he wore the mask and he should put it on again.

Banking Sector Regulation: Motion (Resumed) (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The issue of mortgage arrears is of the utmost importance to the Government. The establishment of a Government committee to co-ordinate and oversee the implementation of a whole of Government response to the problem is evidence of this. However, there is no single or quick solution to deal with the mortgage problem. Each case is different and the circumstances of each household will be...

Post Office Network (14 Mar 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies for their comments and assure them that the Government is committed to a strong and viable An Post and supports its maintenance of the maximum number of economically viable post offices. I take particular note of what the Deputies said regarding the length of time the post office has been open, the services it provided historically and currently in the community and the...