Results 13,161-13,180 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Gas Exploration (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: May I finish? I did not interrupt the Deputy and it is important to have complete clarity on the issue. The process has started and the companies in question will return by the end of the year with a view as to what they think they have found, after which they will proceed to the next stage when I will have to give due consideration to all the arguments made. When that stage is reached, I...

Rail Network (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, who is unavoidably absent. I thank Deputy Ferris for raising this issue. I was not aware until now of the information which the Deputy has just put into the public domain. Perhaps he will provide me with a copy of it. As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and...

Rail Network (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: During my time as Opposition spokesperson on transport, CIE and Iarnród Éireann were regularly invited to committees to discuss issues like this. Following receipt of the information from Deputy Ferris, I will ensure it is given to the Minister and will ask that it be forwarded to the board of CIE. The key point is that the Minister for Transports, Tourism and Sport has no role in...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: This important debate is only the commencement of our deliberations on water services. The legislation is not being rushed and the full details will probably not be finalised until next year. That is not to say, however, that Irish Water will not be established before the summer. We will need time to draw up legislation providing for its powers. Senators have raised a variety of issues and...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Not at all. I was quite happy to listen. The most important thing a Minister can do is to listen to the views of Members of the Oireachtas. I am happy to have heard many of the points made. The reason Irish Water is being set up is to ensure the 34 local authorities and the 952 separate water supplies are brought together in a one-stop-shop and that there is a focus nationally, regionally...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----fixing public lighting and so on. The local authority is not going to disappear. It will be very much there and will be very much focused on the core issues. When Kerry County Council or Louth County Council makes a development plan, Irish Water must have regard to what is in it. In other words, if the council wants to expand zoning in Cahirciveen, for example, if that is a legitimate...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (24 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The 2007 EU Eel regulation (1100/2007), drafted in response to the endangered status of the European Eel, required EU States, including Ireland, to develop Eel Management Plans. Based on the scientific facts available, a recommendation of this plan was that Ireland close both the commercial and recreational Eel fisheries in 2008. The then Central and Regional Fisheries Boards engaged with...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (24 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 432, 439, 440, 446, 447, 454 and 464 together. The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The Programme for Government also commits to the establishment of Irish Water, a State company that will take over the water investment and maintenance programmes of the 34 county and city...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (19 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I can advise the Deputy that Board appointments to North South Bodies are a matter for the North South Ministerial Council in accordance with the British Irish Agreement Act 1999. The term of appointment of the previous Boards of the North South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland came to an end on 12 December, 2011 and new appointments to these Boards were approved by the North South...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 27, 30 and 31 together. 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. The exploration licence is for a six year period with an obligation to drill an exploration well during the first...

Fishing Vessel Licenses (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, is the agency responsible for the issuing of oyster dredge licences under the 1959 Fisheries (Consolidation) Act. As the Deputy will appreciate, there are other consent processes required in order to engage in commercial oyster fishing. IFI does not have any powers in this regard but does ensure that licences are issued to established oyster fishermen. Prior...

Fishing Vessel Licenses (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: IFI does operate a fair and transparent licensing application system. The key point is that only those whose main income is from oyster fishing will get the licence. They must show a record to this effect. Account is taken of oyster fishing activity in each of the preceding five years, and this has a bearing on the grade of licence. One must have a boat and the correct dredge. IFI...

Fishing Vessel Licenses (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The existing process allows for appeals. If one is refused a licence, one can appeal to the fishery officer, then at district level and finally a higher level. There are, therefore, three levels at which one can appeal. If one has been sick and submits a genuine written account stating one could not possibly have fished in the preceding years, this is taken into account. The system is...

Television Licence Fee (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: He is still using a black and white set.

Gas Exploration (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 14 together. In October 2011, the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, requested the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to conduct research and advise on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves. The EPA is funding preliminary background research into the environmental aspects of...

Gas Exploration (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: A.licensing option has been agreed and no fracking licence has been granted. If an application is made for the second phase, the exploration licence, the local authority will be involved as a planning application will be necessary. The Department will also seek advice from the EPA. I respect the agency's independence and professionalism and it has been consulted. The University of...

Gas Exploration (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I inherited the decision made in the month prior to the election by the previous Government to issue licences. Part of the recitation of the licence is that the Department will have to consider but not necessarily grant an exploration licence, which is the second phase, as part of the application. Environmental issues must be dealt with and EPA guidelines, European directives and planning...

Gas Exploration (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: There is potential for Ireland to enjoy both economic and energy security benefits from its indigenous oil and gas resources. These benefits will only be realised through effective exploration. Ireland has a policy of actively encouraging investment by relevant companies in exploration for oil and gas, both offshore and onshore. Where exploration or production takes place, it is subject to...

Gas Exploration (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will answer the last question first. In Britain, a House of Commons committee has recommended that hydraulic fracturing can take place and will not damage the environment. Any decision made by Clare County Council is a matter for them. If they wish to change their development plan, that is their prerogative. However, if they are going to change it, the plan must go on public display and...

Gas Exploration (18 Jan 2012)

Fergus O'Dowd: The EPA has commissioned preliminary background research into all aspects of shale gas production in the form of a desktop study being carried out by the University of Aberdeen. In addition, the EPA will be commissioning more extensive research on hydraulic fracturing in 2012. A working group involving representatives from my Department and the EPA is currently developing specifications for...