Results 15,401-15,420 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd
- Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: That was exactly the point I intended to raise with the Minister of State. One year ago, the Minister promised he would introduce legislation on mandatory testing at the scenes of accidents. If this were introduced and included a provision whereby a blood sample is tested for other substances, it would give an accurate figure of those who are in accidents. Those are the people who would...
- Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: Hear, hear.
- Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister of State could deal with that now.
- Public Transport. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: One point is the gridlock in Dublin city causes a problem for buses as well as for everyone else and consequently, bus travel speeds are reducing all the time. In many cases, it would be quicker to walk, if possible, and it certainly would be much more efficient were one to cycle. I accept there are reasons for the decline in usage and fewer migrants using public transport appears to be an...
- Public Transport. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: It means the Minister's policies are not working.
- Public Transport. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister stated that Dublin Bus must change, which is true. Does the Minister agree there must be a much more proactive policy from Dublin Bus to use the private sector at peak times to use spare capacity? It does not make sense to have the buses to which I referred parked on a lot somewhere in County Kildare while at the same time, Dublin Bus buses, in their original livery colour and...
- Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: The key point is this constitutes a criticism of the lack of oversight by the Department. Many of the transport services the taxpayer pays for through the Minister are dealt with by State and semi-State agencies. The criticism is there is inadequate oversight of them. To be specific the commentary is there is no consensus among agencies of the Department as to whether the latter should...
- Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: Does the Minister not agree this leads to inefficiencies and wastage of money? I refer to the lack of oversight and the consequential lack of accountability and transparency regarding the billions of euro that are being spent on Transport. There is no oversight of them.
- Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: I understand the report states the Department must adopt a clear stance on customer services by its agencies. It states it is important that it considers this issue at a strategic level and develops a coherent viewpoint that is understood by all of its staff and all of its agencies. Clearly, there is a continuing serious problem in this regard.
- Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: I am not suggesting the Department should do that.
- Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Broughan.
- Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: We need a sea change in this area. I agree with my colleague, Deputy Broughan. The criticism of the Department and, indeed, of the Minister, is that he is not doing his job and does not have oversight of these bodies. Is it not a fact that the Department is divided as to whether these bodies should be accountable to the Minister?
- Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: The report states they are not.
- Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: He is â¬8 billion out.
- Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: Why not defend the economic plan in here?
- Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: Are we going to see the recovery plan?
- Written Answers — Health Service Expenditure: Health Service Expenditure (16 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: Question 201: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the proposed Health Service Executive health centre (details supplied) in County Louth; the cost to date of building, leasing, equipping same and all other costs to date incurred for the health centre; the capacity and due date for opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46002/08]
- Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (16 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: Question 220: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide information to a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46157/08]
- Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (16 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: Question 257: To ask the Minister for Transport if public funds are used to fund the Dublin Port Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46312/08]
- Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (16 Dec 2008)
Fergus O'Dowd: Question 258: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has ever expressed concern over expenditure practices in the Dublin Port Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46313/08]