Results 21-40 of 18,562 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: It seems to me that the point is that if they are going to have to pay these costs anyway into the future, then they would have a significant but reducing and lesser cost. That is a good bargaining position for them. In other words, their taxpayer does not have to foot all of the bill all of the time, and there will be a benefit to the taxpayer in the UK from a united Ireland because it...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: The witnesses’ research and the paper are extremely important and informative and they are framing the debate for many people, as we know from public commentary. We had a quick discussion outside and we spoke about the cost of a united Ireland versus the value or benefit of it. I accept the point the witnesses made that the cost is one thing but the benefit to the whole island would...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: The key point is that if the economy of Northern Ireland improves regardless, that makes the opportunity financially more attractive for unification. Is that it?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: Before we go on, we have 15 minutes party time, so if Professor FitzGerald answers this I will go on to Fianna Fáil and then we will come back. That is what we agreed.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: The witnesses can answer the question fully. I just do not want people giving out.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: We have plenty of time but I want to rotate the groups properly.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: In fairness to everybody here, there is plenty of time to ask questions and get them answered. If Professor Morgenroth wants to finish that answer I am happy for him to.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: I want to go back to Fianna Fail now. We will give that group the same time and then we will come back to everybody. We said we would keep it fair among all the parties and all the questions would be properly answered. Deputy Smith should go ahead.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy is running out of time.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: Political change is fundamental and accepting all communities together into one school system to create equality of educational opportunity.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: Yes, of course.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: The burden will be on the Irish taxpayer for how to make up the difference. That is the problem. The referendum could theoretically be successful in the North and unsuccessful in the South. Is that not a possibility?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: That is a stark potential outcome which we have to address.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: I have no issue there but just before the Senator comes in I just want to say that the other members remaining are Senators Currie and McGahon.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: The paper by the witnesses is enlightening all of us regardless of what position we take on the arguments. It is certainly adding to the debate and the reality of how we do it, which is exactly what Senator Black said.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: To inform the debate.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: Very good.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy has put her finger on it there, in that our guests are really informing the debate and giving us challenges to think about. They are outlining how they see the facts and it is up to us as politicians to make the changes we can. Ultimately, however, it is a huge task to persuade Northern Ireland and the South to agree to a process if we do not think it through fully in every...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: I thank you very much indeed. It was both really informative and challenging.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)
Fergus O'Dowd: As I have a question to put to the Tánaiste in the Chamber, we will adjourn the meeting now, if that is okay. I thank you very much.