Results 1-20 of 127 for epa speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Quality (6 Dec 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: 38. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the EPA has any future plans to expand the monitoring of permanent air quality testing systems on site in Drogheda south; if not, the reason why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53926/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: 88. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the recently published report by the EPA that Ireland is set to miss out on its 2030 climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28040/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, report states Ireland will fall well short of its climate change targets. The expected reduction was 51% by 2030; it is now expected to be 29%. Significant new efforts need to be made. When does the Minister intend to introduce a new low interest loan to help owners of domestic dwellings or people residing in them who do not qualify for free...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 May 2022)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...often feel ill and their well-being is significantly affected. Despite frequent meetings with Irish Water, things have not changed. The directive from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, that Irish Water must address these issues urgently was answered this week by the latter when it said it will have the final critical improvements in place in 2027. We cannot wait another five...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Water (5 May 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to bring to the Minister of State's attention that Irish Water is failing in its duty of care on the management of its assets in Drogheda in County Louth and that for the first time ever, the EPA has issued an instruction to Irish Water that if it does not manage its resources properly, it will be prosecuted. There is a stench emanating from the waste water treatment plant. One of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Protection Agency (13 Jan 2021)

Fergus O'Dowd: 71. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the EPA has permanent air quality testing systems on site in Drogheda, County Louth or hinterlands; if not, the reason the largest town in Ireland does not have this in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44978/20]

Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...benefit for those who live near or adjacent to infrastructural projects like these? That is why I refer to the engagement of the DAA with residents' associations. That process must be separate from the project itself. Attempts should be made to identify what increased community benefits could be made available near airports and so on. Given the noise issue, the very first...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Airport Noise Regulation Bill 2018: Discussion (3 Oct 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...It is my view that regardless of whether those bodies wished to take it on, if it is the view of the Minister that they should do so, then they should. I do not think any body, whether it is the EPA or another body, should have a choice in that. It should be the most independent, qualified and competent authority, in my view. Was An Bord Pleanála considered in this context? Could...

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: .... Achieving the target is a challenge and will require an integrated approach across a number of sectors, including transport and industrial emissions. The clear message on page 62 of the EPA report is that certain communities have a significant problem with air quality, in the context of WHO emission levels. This is not to say the air is unhealthy, but the standards or levels the WHO...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Feb 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...advisory council. There is no reason the Environmental Protection Agency should not be involved in that council. I cannot think of a more fundamental upholder of environmental legislation than the EPA, or one that is more impermeable to political influence. I welcome having that agency at the heart of our expert advisory council. It would be silly not have the EPA involved because it...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Supply Contamination (21 Jan 2015)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...under two headings. The first is to deal with the public health issue. Will the Minister bring the urgent need to test all the drinking water supplies from these sources to the attention of the Department of Health, his own Department, the EPA and the Northern Ireland authorities? We must be reassured that there is no threat to public health and that neither is there a long-term threat...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...huge failure of Irish Water is how it did not listen or understand or even explain what it was about. Anyone listening to this morning’s radio news is aware that the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, identified 42 separate locations where raw sewage enters our rivers and seas. That is absolutely unacceptable. Is it not right that those communities affected by this would have...

Seanad: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...having regard to the statutory functions and requirements of the organisation. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate or desirable for legislation to prescribe the divisional organisation of the EPA, or to confer one of the offices with a more pre-eminent or differentiated role. Nonetheless, the board, including the director, will have to continue to ensure that sufficient resources and...

Seanad: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I refer the Senator to section 6 of the Bill, which pertains to the transfer of functions to the EPA. Section 6(1) reads "All functions that, immediately before the dissolution day, were vested in the dissolved body by or under any enactment shall on that day stand transferred to the [EPA]". Section 6(2) states "References in any enactment ... passed before the dissolution day, or in any...

Seanad: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...it was a Channel 4 news team which filmed it from the outside. I think that rebounded on Sellafield. That was in my role as a humble Senator. As a Minister of State I deal with it through the Department. On a serious note, the Senator can be absolutely reassured. There is less evidence of discharge as time goes on because of environmental awareness, campaigning and actions by the...

Seanad: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The EPA goes on.

Seanad: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...of the RPII, which will be the same as previously. There is no difference. The point is that in recognition of its extremely important role in that area, there will be a new division within the EPA, which is the radiological division. In other words, all the correspondence, statutory powers and functions remain the same but are located within a broader framework in terms of the...

Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Fifth Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: The position of the Deputies opposing this Bill is clear and I acknowledge their concerns, though I think they are unfounded. The EPA will have an extra arm dealing with radiological issues. There is clarity on membership of its board and its responsibilities. The EPA is responsible for other issues such as monitoring drinking water, waste management, water quality and emergency response...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would say it is implicit in that. It would be in the general EPA legislation but if people do not conform and comply, then automatically they are in breach. I presume the other sections of the Act and the powers of the EPA would have to apply. I can confirm that later.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (24 Jun 2014)

Fergus O'Dowd: ...but I could not get the information through it either because there were issues, in particular security issues. Given the nature of the business, I was not entitled to it. At all times, the EPA operates in a transparent way. In my experience, it is always available for consultation and to communicate. It has always been prepared to visit my constituency if there were proposals of...