Results 13,241-13,260 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

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

Fergus O'Dowd: No, the Committee Stage.

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I take Members' point regarding amendments. If an amendment is in order, I have no problem debating it. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach, in discussion with Senators, will agree a time by which amendments can be submitted. This will ensure Members have time to submit proposals and that departmental staff have time to respond.

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

Fergus O'Dowd: That is fine. I agree that there should be a reasonable timeframe for the drawing up of amendments. I thank Senators for their contributions to the debate. I assure them that I am mindful of the matters raised and look forward to examining them in greater detail as the Bill progresses through Committee and subsequent Stages. I am fully committed to working constructively with Senators to...

Seanad: Tionscal na hIascaireachta (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Sa bhliain 2007, tar éis thaighde eolaíochta de chuid Comhairle Idirnáisiúnta um Thaisceolaíocht na Farraige, ICES, a léirigh go raibh drochbhail rí-thábhachtach ar stoic eascann na hEorpa, thug an tAontas Eorpach isteach rialachán go bhfuil mar sprioc aige téarnamh na stoc chomh fada leis na hardleibhéil a bhíodh ann fadó. Léiríonn na meastacháin gur tharla géar thitim de...

Seanad: Tionscal na hIascaireachta (6 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tá sé an-tábhachtach an prionsabal sin a chur i bhfeidhm más féidir sin. Ba chóir go mbeadh an polasaí céanna ann maidir le hiascaireacht Thuaidh agus Theas. Táim sásta na tuairimí atá nochtaithe ag an Seanadóir anocht a thabhairt chuig an Roinn agus chun freagra iomlán a fháil dó ar an scéal. Tá mé féin sásta féachaint isteach sa scéal chomh luath agus is féidir...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: I am pleased to open the debate in this House on the Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011. The EU-IMF programme of financial support for Ireland commits the Government to the introduction of a property tax for 2012. The programme reflects the need, in the context of the State's overall financial position, to put the funding of locally delivered services on a sound financial footing,...

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

Fergus O'Dowd: For clarity, there will be four dates beyond 31 March on which they can pay for the entire year. They will be able to do that without a penalty by the due date, which will be fixed by the Minister.

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Mar a dúirt me i dtosach, is díospóireacht an-thábhachtach é seo. Tá sé mar chuid den díospóireacht náisiúnta atá riachtanach. Ba mhaith liom go dtiocfaidh tairbhe tábhachtach agus go n-athróidh rudaí mar thoradh ar na tuairimí atá nochtaithe inniu ag Teachtaí ar gach taobh. Tá sé mar bhunchloch againn go dtarlóidh díospóireacht chomh fairsing agus is féidir ag an...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The convention will also be called on examine issues in respect of the office of the President that are central to the proposals put forward today. For example, the convention will be considering the issue of reducing the presidential term to five years and aligning it with the local and European elections. Recently, the Taoiseach indicated in the Dáil that the criteria and process for...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I congratulate Deputy Catherine Murphy on putting this important proposed legislation before the Dáil today. I compliment the Members on the constructive comments that most of them have made. I will put to one side the parts that were political because this is a serious debate about the Office of President and how we should elect that person. This Bill deals with the Office of President...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: He will sing for them.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not think he sailed on the Marita Ann.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: He obviously got through to the Deputy.

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Nov 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The EPA annual report contains all of the data on water quality and if one queries the boil notices and the reasons for them, one gets all the data on fecal contamination.

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Nov 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It all is there.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Nov 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Government announced the establishment of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA), in line with the Programme for Government on 29 September last. NewERA has been established on a non-statutory basis as a Shareholder Executive within the NTMA. NewERA will carry out the corporate governance function, from a shareholder perspective, of ESB, Bord Gáis, EirGrid, Bord na Móna and...

Commercial Rates: Motion (22 Nov 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is typical.

Seanad: Telecommunications Services (22 Nov 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Clune for raising the important matter of international communications connectivity. I am also glad to have the opportunity to highlight the factors that must be considered by the Government before any decisions to intervene in commercial markets can be taken. I am well aware of the Hibernia Atlantic Express project and welcome any investment such as this project that would...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services (22 Nov 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am glad Senator Clune has brought this to my attention. I will point this out to the Department. It is critical that such facts of which the Department may not be aware are brought to its attention.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I congratulate Deputy Nulty on his maiden speech in the Dáil and wish him well. No doubt he will be here for many years. I thank the Deputies for their contributions to the debate today and yesterday. The debate was very constructive and well put together. Regardless of one's political party, it is clear that when legislation is in the common good, people sign up to it in terms of...