Results 17,341-17,360 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Written Answers — Departmental Inquiries: Departmental Inquiries (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 242: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the significant adverse nursing home inspection reports received by Bedford House and Leas Cross Nursing Homes, she will set up an inquiry into all aspects of the operation of both homes from their first registration, including the decision of the health board to move patients from St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane to Leas...

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: On a point of order, what are the arrangements for the conclusion of the debate?

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Can the Minister extend that time?

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is a shame.

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Here is a golden opportunity to amend the Bill and we are all in favour of it in principle.

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: The opportunity, however, is being denied us and the Minister. It is very arrogant for the Minister to treat the House in such a cavalier manner. It is unacceptable and undemocratic and does the Minister's cause no good.

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister is being arrogant.

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is Fianna Fáil arrogance at its worst and the Minister is the worst of them all.

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: He is the most arrogant Minister; he has a Bill he will not allow us to debate when we agree with it in principle.

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: A unique partnership is proposed in this Bill. The idea comes from the United States, where it has worked successfully in a number of cities. It has also been used in Canada and the UK and now it is being introduced here. In principle, I favour the proposition that money other than the normal expenditure of a local authority, with the consent of commercial ratepayers, may be used in...

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: In that case, the issue is how local authorities and elected members look at what the council is doing financially — how it exercises its power. I have found in the past that they are very reluctant to exercise their power. I have always argued that there ought to be a finance committee that meets quarterly at least with the finance officers of a local authority to ensure that the budget...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: I should point out that the question was misspelled. It should have referred to countywide, rather than countrywide, charges. I apologise in that regard. If counties have not completed their water metering programme, they do not have to apply the county at large charge in 2007. It is inequitable that the same circumstances do not apply in every county. Until it does, it can be deemed...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: If the metering programme is not completed in a county, the consolidated county at large charge does not apply and businesses will therefore pay the same this year as they paid last year. However, where the metering programme has been completed, users in towns outside major urban areas which have a separate rating capacity now face a doubling in the charge they paid last year. Non-domestic...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is unusual and it is not equitable.

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: These users only had water charges levied last year, whereas this year water and sewerage charges have been applied in some towns.

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is what the county at large charge means. That is the point.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Taoiseach said it.

Social and Affordable Housing. (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 43: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of extra affordable housing units he expects to be built as a result of the measures announced in budget 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42881/06]

Social and Affordable Housing. (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Does the Minister of State agree that he has performed poorly in the supply of affordable housing, particularly under Part V? In view of the fact that approximately 90,000 houses will be built this year, the Minister of State should have told me that 18,000 affordable housing units will be coming on stream rather than the paltry 3,000 — welcome as they are — he has made available. Will...

Social and Affordable Housing. (12 Dec 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister of State is not fighting tooth and nail for the people of Dublin or for the young people in his constituency. They have been forced to leave the city and must commute to Dublin from outlying counties. They have long commutes resulting in work days of up to 12 to 14 hours. This is the position because the Minister of State is not fighting their corner and ensuring that land is...