Results 15,161-15,180 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Labour Party has nothing in common with the public.

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Broughan has nothing in common with his own party.

State Airports. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I presume that the airports incurred other costs. Could the Minister request the figure, which is the thrust of the question? I accept that money has been invested, but the Act was passed in 2004 and we will wait until 2011 until it is acted on. What value for money will we receive as a result of the Government not proceeding with the implementation of the Act?

State Airports. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is grand.

State Airports. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand that the airports were not split up because of their disagreement on which should take accountability for the debt at, for example, Cork Airport. There was a row between Dublin and Cork as to how much the latter would pay.

State Airports. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: The principle of the Act was to make the airports separate with their own business plans so that they could develop independently and grow stronger. Since the separation will not occur, we wasted money and the time of the Oireachtas on the legislation.

State Airports. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: While I thank the Minister for his response, I suggest the key issue in this regard is a no strike clause for everyone who is involved in critical transport infrastructure, such as airports, and that this is where Government policy should rest. The aim should be to get a no strike clause to protect the public and the economy in respect of critical infrastructure such as airports. I stress...

Light Rail Project. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is the Minister saying that metro north will proceed at the end of this process? The 7,000 construction jobs will be very important, as will the economic benefit to the country, particularly the greater Dublin area, Fingal and beyond. The cost is the key question. While everyone supports the project, the cost of the project must be identified as quickly as possible. We were told we could...

Light Rail Project. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I accept that.

Light Rail Project. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Will that be published?

Ferry Services. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: The loss of the Cork to Swansea connection has had a significant and adverse impact on the local economy, particularly in east and west Cork and south Kerry. Is the Minister of State aware that the local communities have made available a fund of €3 million to help restore this service? I understand there is a ship in one of the Nordic countries which could be purchased in order to return...

Ferry Services. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is available.

Job Protection. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Transport the contact he had with the Dublin Airport Authority regarding the future of a company (details supplied) at Dublin Airport; if there was information in his Department that the company was selling back leases on hangers at Dublin Airport; his views on whether an aircraft maintenance facility at Dublin Airport is critical for the future of the...

Job Protection. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister for his reply. It seems from what he is saying that, in 2007, it was known something was happening although its extent was not clear. Given that the industry is so important and employs more than 1,130 people, could more not have been done? Clearly, the Minister informed the Department at the time in question. However, is it a sufficient defence for the Dublin Airport...

Job Protection. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: The key point concerns the reporting to the Department by the Dublin Airport Authority. This is where the communication did not take place. The authority is under the aegis of the Department. It is somewhat like the case in Shannon, in respect of which the Minister was not told the details directly. In this case, the fact is that there will be a very serious impact on the future of jobs...

Road Network. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Transport the effect recent Government directions will have on the roll-out of Transport 21 transport infrastructure projects; the amount of financial resources he has provided to local government for transport infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14020/09]

Road Network. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is it not a fact, as a result of this circular letter, that local authority work is coming to a halt up and down the country? Is it not now the time to put thousands of people to work who have become unemployed due to the building collapse? They can be put to work improving our local roads, local bypasses, dangerous bridges and visibility at junctions. The Government can select small and...

Road Network. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a key area in which there is no activity. Up and down the country councillors are calling me and my colleagues to tell us that no work is being done on the roads. Significant works can be done locally and they are labour intensive. Thousands of people can be put back to work very quickly without much technology. There are hundreds of thousands of people unemployed and there is no...

Road Network. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: They are letting people go.

Road Network. (2 Apr 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Dozens of workers in local authorities have lost their jobs as a result of the Minister's direction.