Results 14,501-14,520 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: The core of the argument is whether we open it up to competition, as the late Minister, Séamus Brennan, proposed ten years ago. Under this legislation, it will not happen for at least another five years. That is to wait 15 years for change. We in Fine Gael say we will change this immediately. We will have no sweetheart deals with companies. We will let everybody in, be they State or...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I hope to do that. I want to get to the core of what the Minister and I are saying. There is a significant division of thought between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour concerning the opening of competition in our transport systems. Deputy Broughan spoke about a State-controlled system and the Minister of State mentioned an award system for State companies to the exclusion of everybody...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: That was the rise. This means the Minister favours inefficiency in services and a lack of support or supply to people in communities. Over 200,000 of all new homes built in the State from 2000 to 2008 were in the greater Dublin area, yet the number of buses in the Dublin fleet remained almost static.

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: The number rose from 987 to 1,028.

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is all right, I am used to it. In 1999, the subsidy which Bus Éireann got from the taxpayer was €7.4 million and in 2009, the subsidy went to €44.9 million.

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Essentially, the taxpayer is subsidising the CIE companies to the tune of almost €127 million per annum. In these amendments, Fine Gael is arguing that this is not good enough. The spectrum of control in the bus market is now going from the State operation which we currently have to a direct award system for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. I acknowledge that the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, has...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I support these amendments. I agree with Deputy Broughan that amendment No. 7, in particular, is important. The key issue in this regard is the provision of transport services for those who live in isolated communities in rural and urban areas. People in many parts of Dublin city do not have access to public transport. I refer to individuals who live in estates which were built during the...

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: We sent our apologies and stated that the Bill was being discussed.

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not quibbling about this but amendment No. 3 is not grouped with those amendments on the list of groupings which I have. Is that a typing error?

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not have that document.

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Based on the information I received amendment No. 3 should be discussed separately. I am not here to waste anybody's time but on a point of order, amendment No. 3 is separate.

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (25 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to be clear. I know people have been working overtime and that there have been difficulties; I accept and acknowledge that. I will call a vote on amendment No. 3 but I will discuss all of them together. I accept that the pink sheet is more powerful than the white one. I move amendment No. 3: In page 7, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "5.—A public bus passenger...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 63: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to publish the White Paper on local government reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42775/09]

Written Answers — FÁS Training Courses: FÁS Training Courses (24 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 114: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount granted to a college (details supplied) in County Dublin for each of the past five years by FÁS or any other agency under her remit; the amount granted for each course including student allowances; the title of each course; the number of students taking part in each course; the other supports...

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (24 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 206: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a proposed private funded 150 bedded hospital unit in the grounds of a hospital (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42542/09]

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (24 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 441: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on to the recent announcement by the British Government to name ten sites for nuclear power plants in the UK including seven sites on the west coast of England; the prior discussions he has had with his UK counterparts on the issue; if he intends to object to the proposed plans; if he will discuss...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 541: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the funding by way of grant or subsidies or other supports granted to a college (details supplied) in County Dublin for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42661/09]

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (19 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 107: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 27 and 28 of 17 September 2009, the position regarding Louth County Hospital; the reason this Deputy did not receive a response from the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42462/09]

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (19 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 108: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has responded to a recent letter from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding Louth County Hospital. [42463/09]

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (19 Nov 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the position regarding the outbreak of C. difficile at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth. [42464/09]