Results 13,141-13,160 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (8 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Prosecutions taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) against the three named Anglers for allegedly fishing on the Gweebarra River system are currently adjourned before the District Court. The costs of these prosecutions are unlikely to be significant or out of the norm for routine Fishery prosecutions in the District Court. In my reply to Parliamentary Question No 109 of today's date, I have...

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (7 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has not received applications for, nor licensed the use of hydraulic fracturing in the Irish onshore at this time. In February of last year my Department granted onshore Licensing Options to Tamboran Resources Ltd over parts of Cavan, Leitrim and Sligo, the Lough Allen Natural Gas Company Ltd over parts of Cavan, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo and to...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (7 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Act, 2010 makes provision for the safety of petroleum exploration and extraction (upstream) activities and associated infrastructure to be regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). It provides that the regulation of upstream safety will be achieved through the establishment and implementation of a new risk assessment based...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (7 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Inland Fisheries Ireland has sought funding from a number of agencies for the continuation of the control of the invasive pondweed in Lough Corrib as in previous years. To date, funding commitments have been received from the Office of Public Works, Galway County Council, Inland Fisheries Ireland itself (IFI) and the Caisie – (Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland) EU project....

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (7 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I can inform the Deputy that the opening and closing dates for lakes are fixed annually by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) on the basis of assessment of demand from anglers and resources to manage those lakes responsibly. IFI seeks to ensure that the resource and opportunities are available to recreational and tourist anglers at peak times at a reasonable number of lakes. Over the years the...

Water Services (2 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The memorandum of understanding with the EU, IMF and the ECB also contains commitments for the reform of water services delivery and operation and the introduction of domestic water charges. To meet these commitments, the Government intends initiating a universal water...

Water Services (2 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy has posed many questions, some of which I may not be able to answer today. I will be happy to follow them up with him later. This is the largest infrastructure project since the establishment of the ESB during the foundation of the State. Irish Water will be established as an entity by the middle of this year and will deal with the contracts for the installation of water meters....

Water Services (2 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The €500 million figure is not our estimate.

Water Services (2 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: There is an active programme in local government to replace lead piping on the public end of the supply system. Approximately €120 million will be spent this year to replace lead piping because it is an important health issue. Metering, to which the Deputy is opposed, will conserve water and save money in the long term. Water services on this island cost €1.2 billion last year. Savings...

Water Services (2 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The regulator will examine issues pertaining to the charges applied. A charge will apply above a free allowance and those with health or significant income poverty issues will be dealt with by the regulator. We are meeting representatives from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, carers for the elderly and other interest groups to ensure the system is fair, practical and realistic.

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (2 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The programme for Government provides for the establishment of a new State-owned national water authority, Irish Water, to take over responsibility for managing and supervising investment in water services infrastructure and to manage the domestic water metering programme. The Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the EU/IMF commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (2 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The strand at Inver bay is inside the half seaward mile of the defined mouth of the river Eany. Salmon fishing can take place by ordinary draft net outside the half seaward mile in accordance with the regulations. In relation to the protection and conservation of salmon stocks, under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 – Part VII; Section 94 (1) – It shall not be lawful for any person...

Health Service Plan 2012: Statements (Resumed) (2 Feb 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am surprised there are more than one.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (31 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Standard Exploration Licence 2/11 was granted last year to a consortium comprising Providence Resources Plc and Star Energy Oil and Gas Ltd over an area of approximately 380 square kilometres in the Kish bank Basin off the coast of Dalkey, County Dublin. The exploration licence is for a six year period with an obligation to drill an exploration well during the first three years. Drilling...

Seanad: Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (31 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil don Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill as ucht an rún seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Tá an freagra as Béarla, ach cuirfidh mé Gaeilge ar an chéad chuid de, más féidir liom. Comhlacht áitiúil do ghaeltachtaí is ea Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta, go mórmhór do ghaeltachtaí ins na contaetha seo a leanas, Corcaí, Ciarraí, Dún na...

Seanad: Rent Supplement Payments (31 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Daly for raising this matter. The purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme is intended as a temporary income support payment and is not designed to be...

Promissory Notes: Motion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: First, I apologise to the House for the delay at 7.30 p.m. There was an unavoidable mix-up between who was meant to be present and who was present, for which I apologise. It was unintentional and was an accident but, please God, it will not happen again.

Promissory Notes: Motion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The motion before the House is both timely and appropriate. Having listened to the contributions and debate, the Minister for Finance is of the view that there is considerable common ground on all sides of the House. All Members are agreed that every effort must be made to reduce the cost to the Exchequer of the promissory note. They are also agreed, to various degrees, that the State...

Gas Exploration (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue in the Dáil and the Ceann Comhairle for selecting it. I agree with the Deputy that it is an important issue. My Department has not received applications for or licensed the use of onshore hydraulic fracturing in Ireland. The earliest an application could be made is early 2013 and the earliest exploration drilling could be considered is 2014. The...

Gas Exploration (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: While I appreciate the Deputy's comments, I repeat that when in government, Fianna Fáil granted the initial licences and that a process has commenced. Consequently, it is not realistic to tell me that it has not commenced. The Government is considering and dealing with the process.