Results 18,661-18,680 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a very important debate. It is the second time in recent weeks Fine Gael has devoted its Private Members' time to such an important issue, the national issue, the ideal of peace in our land and, particularly, the ending of violence in our country forever. I listened carefully to the Sinn Féin speaker, Deputy Ó Caoláin. He missed the whole point of the Fine Gael motion, which was...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (1 Mar 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 125: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6806/05]

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (1 Mar 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 420: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the appeals process in relation to special areas of conservation; the average length of time taken; and the longest period of time taken to decide an appeal. [6862/05]

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 421: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the position of secretary to the SAC appeals advisory committee will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6863/05]

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: I was referring to the time since the inquiry was completed.

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: In the interests of transparency and openness, will the Taoiseach release all papers relating to the Quigley report to Members and to the general public? They have been refused to me following a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: That was not my question. I am referring to all of the documents that were presented and which were listed under the freedom of information request which I made, yet were refused to me, a Member of the Oireachtas. Will the Taoiseach arrange for them to be released?

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: With respect——

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: Does the Taoiseach agree that they ought to be released?

Social Welfare Code. (23 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 70: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the procedures and process for the recovery of child maintenance payments within his Department; the way in which the payments are calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6097/05]

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 254: To ask the Minister for Transport if Drogheda town will be considered as a location for a driving test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5775/05]

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: We have heard some soporific views expressed on the other side of the House. The Government is about to commit a political raid on the €200 million contained in the dormant accounts fund for those most in need, the community and anti-poverty organisations. In the past, decisions were not made on behalf of those groups by the Minister of State or his Department but by the Dormant Accounts...

Anti-Poverty Strategy. (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: It was independently allocated. Now it will be decided by the Minister's political masters.

Irish Language. (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: I agree with Deputy O'Shea that much money has been spent on the Irish language and that not enough progress has been made since the foundation of the State. I agree with the Minister that more needs to be done and I fully support his views on preserving, improving and supporting the Irish language movement. It is also important that we interact with people who speak languages other than...

Volunteer Training. (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: Does the Minister of State agree it is time to direct more energy into volunteering? In conjunction with the Minister for Education and Science, he could ask schools to become involved in volunteering. They could then direct teenagers to go and visit old people who have no one to visit them at home or in hospital. We are too relaxed about this. It is no wonder that volunteering is dwindling...

Volunteer Training. (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: We might be, but the Minister of State moved away from it as well.

Community Development. (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 7: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason the allocation to local roads projects in CLÁR areas has not been increased for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5821/05]

Community Development. (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister for his reply. Is it the case that funding for local road schemes has not been increased for the past two years and has stood at €6 million a year? Does the Minister agree that, given rising costs and expenses, it is not good enough to say that this will be sufficient to do all the work needed in rural areas, particularly disadvantaged rural areas? Those of us who are...

Community Development. (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister would never do that.

Foras na Gaeilge. (22 Feb 2005)

Fergus O'Dowd: Cén fáth ar éirigh Aoife Ní Scolaí as oifig i gConradh na Gaeilge? Nach bhfuil sé fíor nach raibh aon mhuinín aici i bhForas na Gaeilge? Cé gur gnáthrud é go mbíonn achrainn idir grúpaí, tá sé an-tábhachtach ar fad nach mbeadh easpa tuisceana agus straitéise ag baint le Foras na Gaeilge. Nach bhfuil an tAire in ann aon rud a dhéanamh chun iad a chur ag caint le chéile?...