Results 17,601-17,620 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Fine Gael wants that provision in the Act. This would make a difference to these borrowers who have been treated so appallingly. They borrowed money, went to court and won their case. The costs were awarded against the building society but it passed the costs of €100,000 onto the borrower. Before there is a transition from a mutual society to a plc company, these issues must be properly...

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is the point I am making. It can demutualise immediately but it cannot become a private limited company in terms of ownership of more than 15% of the shares for a period of five years.

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Nobody taking it over may own more than the 15%. I do not object to the principle enshrined in what is being done. If the body wishes to stay mutualised, it can do so. Pressure is clearly building from people which have been referred to as "carpetbaggers". There is a feeling that they would like to get their hands on the EBS. Anybody who may have borrowings or shares in the EBS may want it to...

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: I appreciate the point being made by the Minister of State. I am trying to clarify the debate. Perhaps the Minister of State has received e-mails also from people who would like the membership to be able to propose the resolution. I appreciate that is not covered in the Bill, and I am not arguing that it should be. I wish to clarify the matter with the Minister of State that it cannot be so.

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: We will have an opportunity to discuss it on Committee Stage. We will be pressing our amendments to a vote, but we will support the Bill in principle. I thank the Minister of State's departmental officials and all the people in financial institutions to whom I spoke about this Bill. I was anxious to understand it fully, which I believe I do. We will be in favour of the Bill, but we will vote...

Written Answers — Resource Exploration: Resource Exploration (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 68: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent of positive indicators arising from oil, gas or other mineral explorations, onshore or offshore; if adequate scientific resources are being made available to develop the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26584/06]

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the development of the radio and television industry with particular reference to terrestrial broadcasting and the changing and growing needs of the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26550/06]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 224: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress to date in the provision of broadband in County Louth, and in particular to detail any problem in the provision of broadband; if he will comment on the problem in Monasterboice and any other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26693/06]

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 341: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress to date in 2006 in the provision of a new railway station on the north-side of Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26820/06]

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 342: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress to date in the provision of a new railway station at Dunleer in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26821/06]

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 368: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grants allocated to local authorities to meet their expenses in implementing the Control of Horses Act 1996 for each year since 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26689/06]

National Security Provisions. (5 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: We will read the Fianna Fáil manifesto.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: One of the problems we face is that as time is short, we will not reach some important amendments. Therefore, we must debate the ones we can reach. I would like to have reached amendment No. 45 which deals with the economic and social issue. It is very important when examining these issues that the economic and social impact, as well as the environmental impact, is assessed. The public notice...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Cuffe and other speakers referred to the important issue of how An Bord Pleanála is seen to perform its duties. It is acceptable for the board to agree with an inspector's report and this is a transparent and open procedure. However in the case where the board disagrees with the inspector, my amendment and that of Deputy Cuffe require the board to recite the reasons for its...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: Nobody proposed that.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: We are not saying that An Bord Pleanála cannot disagree with the inspector. We are arguing that the board should identify clearly the points of disagreement or how the case would be argued. Taking for example the incinerator in Carranstown, there were approximately 20 professional people representing Indaver at the relevant oral hearing. A large number from the general public made their own...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: The only slump will be in the Government's vote.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: He is well able for it.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 18: In page 6, to delete lines 34 to 36. Question, "That the words proposed to be deleted stand", put and declared carried.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move amendment No. 33: In page 7, line 39, after "authority" to insert the following: ", and in the case of paragraph (c) of section 37A(2), on all planning authorities the areas of which would be significantly affected by the proposed development".