Results 1-20 of 197 for going forward speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Apr 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will deal with the latter question first. The Crossmolina scheme is subject to planning consent. I will forward a detailed note on it to the Deputy. To go back to Deputy Tóibín's question, the CFRAM study on tranche 1 is about protecting 80% of properties. Flooding causes great difficulties for people. I know what it is like. I come from a constituency where there has...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I know the import of what the Deputies put forward. We believe it is catered for under section 44 and, more particularly, section 219, and will be covered under housing growth. Section 219(5) states, "A housing strategy shall take into account", and then references the need and the likely future need for housing, existing need, the need to ensure a mixture of housing, and the need to...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I take the points made on Part V. I believe Part V is a very good model. All this does is provide flexibility under section 219(10), which is the 20%. Section 219(6) on the housing strategy states it shall include an estimate of the housing for the purposes of social housing, affordable housing and cost rental. It allows the flexibility to change the mix within that 20% if desired. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Mar 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...disabled people have equal access to housing and clearer pathways to accessing support services, promoting their inclusion in the community from a housing perspective. I am working collaboratively with my Government colleagues and delivery partners across the sector in delivering on the actions in this implementation plan to ensure we deliver on the vision set out in the strategy. My...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Amendment No. 170 seeks to expand this provision by requiring the Government to respond to such observations, as well as having regard to them. The purpose of public participation is to gather and collate their views as they relate to the particular draft framework that is being consulted on. It is not unusual for a range of views, which may be contradictory, to be expressed on any...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...in the context of the national planning framework. There is a question of practicality here in that you have large volumes, and you are coming down to policy with regard to exactly what is put forward. There has to be a practical aspect in terms of workload as well. Let us go away and look at what is there on the development plan process, which was mentioned, and the manager's reports...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...with Deputy Ó Broin. First, we will be bringing clarity in terms of the prescribed documents. That will come as part of the regulation when the legislation is enacted. Second, if we were to go with this particular amendment then this would be the only prescribed list, whereas "prescribed" is going to cover a lot of other areas. On that basis, therefore, we cannot accept the...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...authority”. As the Deputy is aware, each local authority has to prepare a climate action plan, which they are currently doing. Section 47(2)(a)(ii) refers to “the climate action plan approved by the Government under section 4(9) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015”. Therefore, it is covered in the development plans. I give a commitment that...

Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: From the Seanad (28 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: .... This is something I am incredibly proud to have brought through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Limerick is really leading the way. This is probably one of the most significant reforms in local government since the foundation of the State. The legislation also allows for plebiscites for all local authorities. We hope that many will take up this offer and go forward with establishing...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...is never easy. I refer to the business community and the wider community in Limerick. The people in Limerick voted for by plebiscite. Senator Maria Byrne was the director of elections for the Government when it was coming through. They voted 52:48 for it. I think it was 51:49 in Cork voting against it and the same in Waterford. I am always conscious that not everyone voted for this,...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: If one is putting forward something as a matter of urgency and it is of national strategic importance, that is not going to come in under every single particular issue that arises. The question will be whether it is urgent and is a matter of national strategic importance. These are decisions the Government will have to make and as part of that, it will consult the Office of the Planning...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (15 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...delivery of urgent and emergency care, improving patient access to care and enhancing patient healthcare experiences and outcomes. I know the National Ambulance Service is committed to providing these going forward. I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff of the National Ambulance Service and to all the ambulance services for their commitment and dedication to patient care...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Anyone who knows me knows that implementation and substance are hugely important to me. I note the genuineness of the amendments that have been put forward. I am trying to work in real time. I want to listen to the Members here. If I am looking through legislation it is because I am actively trying to process what Members are saying. Anyone who knows me knows that is my approach. I have...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will deal with Deputy O'Callaghan's amendments, going from last to first. He referred to empty properties. As he is aware, we are waiting on the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to bring legislation forward. We will provide guidelines in this area. I am sorry, the legislation is with the European Commission. As a general observation, there is nothing...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...and linguistic impact statements, we must have a structured approach. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is responsible for the Irish language in terms of a Government context. We are working with that Department. It must bring forward the methodology around the format of linguistic impact statements. However, there is nothing to stop local authorities...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...the B2 level, the Department of the Gaeltacht is the expert on competency in that area. It has made us aware that B2 level is what it is accepting but that may change. It has to come through. It goes back to what will have a practical impact, which is the planning regulations to be brought out specifically for the Gaeltacht areas. The most important thing is to get these new planning...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...position here. The mayor will drive policy. I do not want the mayor getting bogged down in detail. The role of the mayor involves driving policy and development plans and bringing the budget forward. All those things are currently brought forward by the CEO, so it is a major transfer of power. I am absolutely true. Under the various headings that were put to the people by plebiscite,...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...not to interfere in any way with the reserved powers of the elected members. I have maintained them. What we have done is devolved powers from the CEO to the mayor. I am adamant on that. I will go through the notes and then we can come back to the point. I accept the intention of the amendment but section 7(2) caters for that and offers more. I assure the Senator that the elected...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: ...to set up separate committees, he or she may by all means do so, but this point is very important in the context of the two amalgamated councils - one significantly rural and the other urban. I am going outside what I said but I was specific in that wording in order that it would encompass all aspects. I very much appreciate the intention of the Senator's amendment but cannot accept it...