Results 1-20 of 3,513 for at speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: Drogheda is the largest town in Ireland with 40,000 people living in the town and at least 40,000 more living in the surrounding area. We have no driving test centre. We need the Minister to get onto the Road Safety Authority to do its job because so far it is neglecting our town. There are 41 driving test centres around the country. Some are in GAA clubs and hotels. There is even one in...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: 231. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the contract for IPAS accommodation at a location (details supplied) was cancelled, paused or if the Department have to contractually pay for any invoices received for the premises since the contract commencement date of 17 January 2024, despite no IPAS applicants being on site since 17 January due to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: All-Ireland Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (2 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: From what the witnesses seem to be saying, the key point is the reform of education. Equalising access is the key to getting people with third level qualifications to come back to the North. It is a major and ongoing issue in any event. Regardless of whether there is a united Ireland, there will not be true prosperity in the North unless that is done. That is the first point. The...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (1 May 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: 235. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reasons Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) who were moved from a previously contracted residence under the BOTP and were subsequently moved to Drumcar and informed that they would be moved into any available residencies in Drogheda at the earliest opportunity; the reasons they remain in Drumcar despite...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (30 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: 274. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in a situation where a business in the hospitality trade is paying above the €30 thousand rates criteria to access the ICOB grants, if he will provide details of all other supports that would be available to this business considering the pressures on the sector at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19318/24]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, signed a contract for 500 beds at the D Hotel without consulting anyone, blindsiding everyone. However, it emerged from a letter he sent to me yesterday that the contract was signed without there being an appropriate fire certification in place, meaning that the maximum number of people who can stay in the hotel is 250. In the 51 days since he signed...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Motor Industry (23 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: 190. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the significant delays for motor traders in securing registration appointments to import cars from the UK, which is causing major business disruptions and cash flow problems, putting many businesses at risk of closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17334/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Women and Constitutional Change: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will say a few words, if I may. This is a very important debate, with Dr. Mitchell challenging the issues today. Something that seems to be missing, not from what she is saying, is maybe an understanding generally in Ireland of who the United Irishmen were, which she referred to, and what they were about. One of the key things that is often not mentioned - this is not accusatory; I am...

Road Safety: Statements (17 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is appalling. People ring me every day with their tyres bust and nothing in their mind but anger at the lack of conviction of the council to make it safe. As regards road safety, we have a lot more to do. Let us do it.

Road Safety: Statements (17 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a very important debate. I welcome the Minister of State and the comments I have heard so far. Much more needs to be done because far too many lives are being lost. The more people who die in tragic circumstances, the more appalling the vista for the families affected and the people who are injured as a result of road traffic accidents. Tens of thousands of people have significant...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (17 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: The decision by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to remove Drogheda's only hotel of scale from public use continues to cause anger and frustration locally. This decision, made without consultation with tourism and business interests, is causing absolute havoc among people in Drogheda in terms of how they consider themselves to be viewed by the Government. I have been asked to invite the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Museum Projects (17 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: 62. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 11 July 2023, considering the ongoing funding issues that continue with the Drogheda Museum, if she will assist in organising a meeting with officials competent in the sector who could advise the museum on the best way forward for the organisation, with a view of future funding options...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (17 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: 127. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can confirm with regard to the IPAS contract signed with a hotel (details supplied), if the contract is being paid at a rate of 500 beds, which was the original stated figure provided under the initial Department briefing issued on 13 February, or if the State is funding the maximum allowable number of...

Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Second Stage (16 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is an important debate. When people start talking about pensions, the eyes, especially of young people, tend to glaze over. They do not think about the future until they get nearer to that age, as some of us have. Some of us have passed it. I am ten years past 65 at this stage but I am lucky because I have my health and a good job and I am happy with that, but many people do not have...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is not good enough at all.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have a lot to say in a very short time. I repeat that Drogheda people are extremely angry and dismayed by the decision of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to remove the only remaining hotel of scale in Drogheda, the D Hotel, from public use. The Government has acknowledged that this will not happen in any other town but that means nothing to the people of Drogheda. We continue to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues: Discussion (11 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Mr. McCord for his moving contribution. The loss of any son or daughter at any stage is something nobody can ever forget or put out of mind. However, when that son or daughter is murdered it is such an evil act, I despair just thinking about it. We all know Mr. McCord's commitment to getting truth and justice for his son. If as a committee we can support him in any way, I would be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Legacy Issues: Discussion (11 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: As we said at the beginning, the committee would be happy to fully support Mr. McCord's case in every way. There is total clarity on the wrong that has been visited on him and his family. The other point is that people are getting older. People may never get accountability and truth if this continues to be delayed or totally avoided by legislation.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (9 Apr 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: 256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the REPowerEU funding of €56 million that will be allocated to the electrification works at Drogheda train station to facilitate the charging of battery electric trains, has been drawn down yet from the European Union; if so, when; if he will seek a detailed description on what the funding will provide in Drogheda; and if he...