Results 13,381-13,400 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Having been in government for 17 of the past 20 years, I can understand there was no sense of urgency from the Deputy's party. To be perfectly clear, there have been several discussions in the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Environment, Community and Local Government. As I stated in the original reply, I am working with the respective Ministers, Deputies...

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I cannot-----

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: One issue is whether legislation is required to establish the entity. If legislation is not needed, I hope it will be done before the summer. If legislation is required, I would hope to have it before the end of the year. In either event, by the time Santa Claus visits the Deputy, it is to be hoped that NewERA also will be in his package.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Donations) Bill 2011: Second Stage (resumed) (11 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: In concluding the contributions from the Government side, I restate the view that this Fianna Fáil Private Members' Bill includes some very worthwhile proposals. Some of the measures in it are included in the programme for Government and they will be implemented. However, the Bill is too narrow in scope and it lacks ambition. It contains a number of technical flaws that make it...

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (11 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to share my time with Deputies Olivia Mitchell and Denis Naughten. I have listened to this debate and I note that all sides are in agreement on many issues. We all want to effect significant progress for our people considering the new economic reality of more than 450,000 people unemployed while at the same time continuing to work within the EU-IMF assistance package. We have to find...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio (4 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Táim ag tógaint na díospóireachta seo ar son an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna, an Teachta Ruairí Quinn, nach bhfuil sa Teach faoi láthair. Tá an freagra go léir i mBéarla.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio (4 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ach déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall cuid de a aistriú. D'iarr mé ar an Roinn script Ghaeilge a ullmhú ach i mBéarla atá sé. Tá sé an-thábhachtach go bhfuil an cheist seo á plé agus molaim an Teachta as ucht an rud a dúirt sé. Beidh mé ag caint leis an Aire faoin méid a dúirt an Teachta agus neosfaidh mé dó na pointí nua nach raibh ar eolas agam go dtí seo ach go háirithe....

Register of Electors (4 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I speak and reply on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan. In law, the preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local authority. It is its duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (3 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: In the context of the NewERA Plan the Government has committed to an ambitious strategy of accelerating the development of Ireland's forestry and bioenergy resources. Key to the realisation of this strategy as outlined in the Programme for Government is the plan to create a new State company to be called BioEnergy Ireland. This envisages the merger of Bord na Móna and Coillte. I will be...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (3 May 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 401, 407 and 426 to 428, inclusive, together. The Programme for Government proposes the installation of water meters in individual households and the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals, including the...

Departmental Agencies (21 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Broughan for bringing this matter to our attention.

Departmental Agencies (21 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise for the absence of the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Shane McEntee, who has asked me to take this matter on his behalf. I am pleased to be given this opportunity to deal with the issues raised by Deputy Broughan. I would like to clarify the position with regard to the respective responsibilities of Teagasc and the Department of...

Telecommunications Services (21 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is whoever got the most votes.

Telecommunications Services (21 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy opposite for his noble words. I am reminded of the line from the poem, "i mBaile na Muc, Dé Sathairn, chailleamar an lá". Sibhse a chaill an toghchán deireanach. Cháin an Teachta cúrsaí leathanbhanda na tíre agus dúirt sé nach bhfuil leathanbhanda ag daoine ina cheantar féin. Ta súil agam go dtuigeann an Teachta gur ar a phairtí atá an milleán faoi sin. I...

Tax Code (20 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputies for raising the matter and I will bring the points made to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan. The position regarding the taxation of goods vehicles has not changed. In August 2010, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government issued a circular to motor tax offices reminding authorised officers of existing provisions with regard to the...

Energy Resources: Motion (19 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Tááthas orm an deis seo a thógáil chun páirt a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht thábhachtach seo. Is ábhar tábhachtach é seo ar fad. Bíonn go leor plé sna meáin chumarsáide faoin ráta cánach a bhaineann leis an earnáil pheitriliam. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil an díospóireacht ar siúl anocht chun an cheist a phlé agus an t-ábhar a shoiléiriú. Is léir dom go bhfuil ról...

Energy Resources: Motion (19 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Would that be Ray Burke?

Scéimeanna Uisce agus Séarachais (13 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Cuív as ucht an deis seo a thabhairt dom an cheist thábhachtach seo a fhreagairt. I ndiaidh na díospóireachta seo, beidh mé ag caint leis an Roinn ionas go mbeimid ag gabháil amárach leis na ceisteanna bunúsacha atá curtha faoi bhráid na Dála anocht ag an Teachta agus nach bhfuil freagraí iomlán dóibh sa théacs atá agam. Tá raon...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (12 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food has statutory responsibility for the national afforestation programme, including annual targets, and for Coillte Teoranta. I will work with him and with the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, in the context of the NewERA plan to deliver on the Government's ambitious strategy of accelerating the development of Ireland's forestry and bioenergy resources as...

Education and Training: Motion (12 Apr 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Cuidím leis an méid a dúirt an t-Aire ar an rún seo. Tá sé an-thábhachtach go mbeadh díospóireacht oscailte againn agus go mbeadh muid in ann anseo ár n-aigne a nochtadh i dtaobh conas mar is féidir oideachas a chur i gceartlár ár bpolasaí, ní amháin i gceartlár na tíre agus na daltaí, ach i dtaobh cúrsaí eacnamaíochta de chomh maith. Is as cúrsaí oideachais is mó a...