Results 13,221-13,240 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is why we are introducing a property tax in due course.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. That is why we say it must stand. It was brought in by Fianna Fáil in 2009.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The words are the same.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is the same principle.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: This Bill is no different to the 2009 Act. The wording is exactly the same even if the issues are different. It is a standard process and we do not see any basis for the Senators' concerns.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom, i dtosach, mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le gach duine a mhol an leasú seo agus a nocht a dtuairimí air. Nuair a thagaim go dtí an tSeanad bíonn díospóireacht an-mhaith ann i gcónaí. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ar siúl mar Bille bunúsach is ea an ceann seo. These proposed amendments to section 2 would have the effect of excluding purchasers of...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senators for their contributions in respect of the various issues raised. Senator Keane referred to clarity regarding the information relating to the charge. Such clarity will be provided in respect of those involved in shared ownership arrangements. Senator Byrne referred to houses owned by trading companies or whatever which have never been occupied and in respect of which such...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I said they never obtained an income from the properties in question, which were never occupied.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The arguments made are certainly worth considering, but we are sticking by our attitude to the points made. We are not accepting the amendments, but I would make one point. A company does not go into liquidation to avoid a debt of €100. In fairness, that is not the reason.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not disputing some of the points made, but that is the reality. This is an interim measure. Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke of fairness in the case of the millionaires' property worth whatever in Dublin and the person in the bed-sit in Donegal. We will be bringing in a full property tax. This is an interim measure which will be in place probably for two years. We will be addressing all of...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tá díospóireacht mór ar siúl inniu agus caithfidh mé cuid des na ceisteanna a fhreagairt. An rud bunúsach atá Seanadóirí Shinn Féin ag rá ná go bhfuil siad i gcoinne gach rud agus nach bhfuil siad i bhfábhar rud ar bith. An fáth go bhfuil an táille seo á leagadh ná nach bhfuil go leor airgid ag teacht isteach ón ghnáth cháin chun an tír a choimeád slán. Bhí ar an...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tá sé léite agam.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ach ní thuigim é.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: On that very point, I understand the wording is exactly the same as in the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, and that is why we argue it must stand. Fianna Fáil, when in government, introduced that legislation.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall an cheist a fhreagairt. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ar siúl tré Ghaeilge ach níl foclóir s'agamsa maith go leor don ábhar seo. Go raibh maith ag an tSeanadóir as an leasú a chur romhainn. My officials have been in contact withthe Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. I am informed this is standard drafting procedure. The reference...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: We have no problem with that.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It goes to the fund.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Some counties have a smaller population.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Slow learning.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, the Committee Stage.