Results 13,321-13,340 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (14 Sep 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ba mhaith liom freagra a thabhairt don Teachta. Tá sé an-thábhachtach go réiteofaí an cheist práinneach seo ar son muintir na Gaeltachta, go háirithe. Tá an Aire agus an Roinn ag déanamh a ndícheall lá agus oíche chun an scéal seo a socrú, i dtreo is go gheobhaidh gach chuid de gach Gaeltacht sa tír an buntáiste atá ag teastáil ón airgead seo. Is é sin an bun-aidhm atá...

Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (14 Sep 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbéadh na seirbhísí sin ar fáil ins na gaeltachtaí chomh luath agus is féidir iad a bheith ann. Tá sé an-thábhachtach go mbéadh an Roinn ag déanamh a dhícheall chun na seirbhísí a chur ar fáil, más rud é nach bhfuil an comhlucht in ann é sin a dhéanamh. Tá an Roinn ag déanamh a dhícheall. It is currently working on both long-term and...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (21 Jul 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 230 and 240 of 20 July 2011, which outline the position on this matter.

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (20 Jul 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 240 together. The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The objective is to install water meters in households connected to public water supplies and move to a charging system based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is currently preparing a comprehensive...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (20 Jul 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senators on all sides of the House for their contributions to the debate. The comments focused both on the Bill and, as might be expected, the electoral agenda generally. In the time available it is not possible for me to comment on all the points made. I propose to respond to some of the issues raised and further discussions will take place on Committee Stage. I welcome the strong...

Seanad: Mobile Phones: Motion (13 Jul 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: We are. This is the first time I have spoken in the House since my five years as a Senator between 1997 and 2002, which I enjoyed. I might come back, although I do not really want to.

Seanad: Mobile Phones: Motion (13 Jul 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is up to the people. The atmosphere in the Chamber is more encouraging in terms of debating issues than it can be in the Dáil. This is the Seanad's strength. I have listened to all of the contributions and will comment on them at the conclusion. I thank everyone who has spoken. I will outline to the House the relevant elements of research and policy in this area. It is important...

Written Answers — NewERA Project: NewERA Project (5 Jul 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA). I have been given special responsibility for the NewERA project. NewERA will be established as a dedicated entity to oversee investment as referred to below. It is proposed that streamlined and restructured semi-States will make significant additional investments, over and above...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (5 Jul 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The objective is to install water meters in households connected to public water supplies and move to a charging system based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals, including the approach to be taken to...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency (30 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Senator Clune for bringing this matter to my attention and I will report the issues she raised directly to the Minister for Finance. NAMA has advised the Minister for Finance that the matter of unfinished estates is complex with no readily available solutions. Although NAMA must strive to achieve and set an overall strategy, solutions may need to be tailored individually to the...

Planning Issues (28 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am pleased to have the opportunity today to discuss the provisions of the planning code as they relate to the scope to seek to extend planning permissions. Section 28 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 amended section 42 of the Planning Act 2000 to provide that the duration of a planning permission may be extended where substantial works have not been done, or where the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Services: Local Authority Services (28 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Programme for Government proposes the establishment of a new State-owned national water authority 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 of the...

Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Abair i mBéarla é freisin, le do thoil.

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (21 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The objective is to install water meters in households and move to a charging system based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals, including the approach to be taken for the procurement of water meters....

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: He was appointed by the committee.

Departmental Agencies (21 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The programme for Government commits to the establishment of a NewERA authority as a dedicated entity to oversee investment as referred to in this reply. It is proposed that streamlined and restructured semi-State agencies will make significant additional investments over and above current plans during the next four years in next generation infrastructure in terms of energy, broadband,...

Departmental Agencies (21 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will clarify. Irish Water will be a State-owned entity, not a private one, and it will not be privatised. The management of our water infrastructure will be by a State entity. The Deputy need have no fears in that regard. The Deputy's second point related to the programme for Government, which states that €2 billion from the sale of non-strategic State assets will be used to finance...

Departmental Agencies (21 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It will.

Departmental Agencies (21 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have met the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Coveney, regarding the programme for Government's proposal on merging Coillte and Bord na Móna. He is discussing his opinions with Coillte and I have sought another meeting with him to discuss what progress has been made. There is no question of the land being sold. It will never be sold and will remain in State ownership.

Departmental Agencies (21 Jun 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The commitment is that both companies will be merged and a business plan is being examined with a view to determining what new synergies could result. Taking a decision will be a matter for the Cabinet, but the business plan will be a matter for debate in the Dáil.