<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rdf:RDF
  xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
  xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
  xmlns="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/"
  xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/">
		
<channel rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/mp/?pid=223">
<title>Jim O'Keeffe - Recent appearances (From KildareStreet.com)</title>
<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/mp/?pid=223</link>
<description></description>
<dc:language>en-gb</dc:language>
<dc:creator>KildareStreet.com, mprss.php script</dc:creator>
<dc:date>2009-04-15T16:11:21+00:00</dc:date>

<items>
<rdf:Seq>
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-07.86.0&amp;m=687#g235.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-07.2.0&amp;m=687#g28.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-02.634.0&amp;m=687#g636.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-02.634.0&amp;m=687#g635.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.370.0&amp;m=687#g371.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.2.0&amp;m=687#g84.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.2.0&amp;m=687#g40.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.318.0&amp;m=687#g332.2" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.318.0&amp;m=687#g321.4" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.318.0&amp;m=687#g319.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.298.0&amp;m=687#g313.2" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g277.2" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g275.2" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g273.5" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g271.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.638.0&amp;m=687#g639.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.13.0&amp;m=687#g84.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.13.0&amp;m=687#g61.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.550.0&amp;m=687#g617.0" />
<rdf:li rdf:resource="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.550.0&amp;m=687#g614.0" />
</rdf:Seq>
</items>

</channel>

<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-07.86.0&amp;m=687#g235.0">
	<title>Supplementary Budget Statement 2009 | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-07.86.0&amp;m=687#g235.0</link>
	<description>It was a bad joke. </description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="235.1">It was a bad joke. </p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-07T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-07.2.0&amp;m=687#g28.0">
	<title>Leaders&acirc; Questions | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-07.2.0&amp;m=687#g28.0</link>
	<description>Now the Taoiseach tells us this.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="28.1">Now the Taoiseach tells us this.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-07T14:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-02.634.0&amp;m=687#g636.0">
	<title>Ferry Services. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-02.634.0&amp;m=687#g636.0</link>
	<description>Question 37: To ask the Minister for Transport  his views on the establishment of further sea ferry links into and out of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  [13723/09]</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="636.0"><i>Question 37:</i> To ask the Minister for Transport  his views on the establishment of further sea ferry links into and out of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  <b>[13723/09]</b></p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-02T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-02.634.0&amp;m=687#g635.0">
	<title>Ferry Services. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-02.634.0&amp;m=687#g635.0</link>
	<description>Question 10: To ask the Minister for Transport  the ferry links existing between Ireland and the UK and continental Europe; if there are proposals for further such ferry links; and if he will...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="635.0"><i>Question 10:</i> To ask the Minister for Transport  the ferry links existing between Ireland and the UK and continental Europe; if there are proposals for further such ferry links; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  <b>[13722/09]</b></p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-02T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.370.0&amp;m=687#g371.0">
	<title>Job Losses. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.370.0&amp;m=687#g371.0</link>
	<description>Question 33: To ask the T&Atilde;&iexcl;naiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment  her plans to combat inefficiency in her Department; the way in which she will speed up redundancy payment...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="371.0"><i>Question 33:</i> To ask the TĂĄnaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment  her plans to combat inefficiency in her Department; the way in which she will speed up redundancy payment rebates to small businesses from her Department; the waiting time for such a payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.  <b>[13551/09]</b></p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.2.0&amp;m=687#g84.0">
	<title>Leaders&acirc; Questions | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.2.0&amp;m=687#g84.0</link>
	<description>The Taoiseach is making it up as he goes along.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="84.1">The Taoiseach is making it up as he goes along.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T11:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.2.0&amp;m=687#g40.0">
	<title>Leaders&acirc; Questions | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.2.0&amp;m=687#g40.0</link>
	<description>How much has the Taoiseach achieved? </description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="40.1">How much has the Taoiseach achieved? </p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.318.0&amp;m=687#g332.2">
	<title>Planning Issues. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.318.0&amp;m=687#g332.2</link>
	<description>The Minister spoke about guidelines for applicants.  Would he consider issuing guidelines for planners to bring it home to them that the objective is good quality planning but that the ethos...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="332.2">The Minister spoke about guidelines for applicants.  Would he consider issuing guidelines for planners to bring it home to them that the objective is good quality planning but that the ethos should be to encourage rather than impede development?</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.318.0&amp;m=687#g321.4">
	<title>Planning Issues. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.318.0&amp;m=687#g321.4</link>
	<description>Question No. 45 in my name, which was answered with Question No. 38, relates to the backlog in the planning appeals system, whereas this question relates to the beginning of the planning process....</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="321.2">Question No. 45 in my name, which was answered with Question No. 38, relates to the backlog in the planning appeals system, whereas this question relates to the beginning of the planning process.  Does the Minister agree that the objective of planning is to deliver a high-quality built environment and to also encourage rather than impede development?  Does he agree that all the relevant processes should be designed to achieve this objective?</p><p pid="321.3">Despite the changes to which he refers, does the Minister agree that considerable difficulties remain and that there is a lack of consistency among local authorities?  Does he further agree that even though there are problems with regard to the pre-planning process, county managers should be going out of their way to encourage pre-planning discussions in order that, in so far as is possible, any relevant issues could be dealt with prior to an application being lodged?</p><p pid="321.4">I am also concerned about the validation process.  Why is there an enormous difference regarding the percentage of applications declared invalid in counties Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and Galway, in which the invalidation rate is 40%, and the percentage that obtains in counties, Sligo, Wexford and Louth, in which the rate is less than 8%?  Surely there is a need for the Minister to intervene in this regard.  Invalidation costs applicants money and delays the process.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.318.0&amp;m=687#g319.0">
	<title>Planning Issues. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.318.0&amp;m=687#g319.0</link>
	<description>Question 40: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government   if, in view of the reduction in planning applications, greater emphasis should be put on pre-planning...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="319.0"><i>Question 40:</i> To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government   if, in view of the reduction in planning applications, greater emphasis should be put on pre-planning discussions and the resolution of technical and other problems in advance of applications; and if he has conveyed his views to the local authorities in this regard.   <b>[9942/09]</b></p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.298.0&amp;m=687#g313.2">
	<title>Turbary Rights. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.298.0&amp;m=687#g313.2</link>
	<description>One would not get such a variety of turf in Ringsend.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="313.2">One would not get such a variety of turf in Ringsend.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g277.2">
	<title>Planning Matters. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g277.2</link>
	<description>May I ask one supplementary question?  If the Minister accepts they are good ideas, will he, in the name of God, put them into operation as quickly as possible?</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="277.2">May I ask one supplementary question?  If the Minister accepts they are good ideas, will he, in the name of God, put them into operation as quickly as possible?</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g275.2">
	<title>Planning Matters. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g275.2</link>
	<description>Exactly.  </description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="275.2">Exactly.  </p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g273.5">
	<title>Planning Matters. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g273.5</link>
	<description>Does the Minister accept that, in these difficult times, any bureaucratic obstacle to development must be removed forthwith?  There must be a strong emphasis on the encouragement of development....</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="273.2">Does the Minister accept that, in these difficult times, any bureaucratic obstacle to development must be removed forthwith?  There must be a strong emphasis on the encouragement of development.  Three suggestions occur to me.  First, one does not have to jettison good planning to ensure that the process is working effectively.  The involvement of a pre-validation process can ensure that.  In some local authorities invalidation runs at 40%, while in others it is below 8%.  That situation should be clarified.</p><p pid="273.3">Second, I am glad that steps are being taken at last concerning planning appeals.  I worked on the basis that only one quarter of all appeals last year were disposed of within the statutory timeframe of 18 weeks.  I think the Minister said the figure was 22%, which is less than one quarter.  Whatever resources are needed should be given to An Bord PleanĂĄla to clear that backlog, including freeing up local authority planners.</p><p pid="273.4">Third, I know developers are not the favoured class of people in the world today, but without development this country will be in even greater trouble.  Can the duration of planning permissions be extended under the terms of the new legislation for something like three years?  This would encourage finance to get developments under way.</p><p pid="273.5">I am making those three suggestions to the Minister not to help developers, but to help development.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g271.0">
	<title>Planning Matters. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.269.0&amp;m=687#g271.0</link>
	<description>Question 45: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government   the number of planning appeals in the year 2008, and the percentage of these that were disposed of within the...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="271.0"><i>Question 45:</i> To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government   the number of planning appeals in the year 2008, and the percentage of these that were disposed of within the statutory 18 week period in relation to delays in planning appeals, which in many instances are inhibiting development activities throughout the country; if the additional staff promised to An Bord PleanĂĄla are in place; and the further steps that are being taken or which are proposed to deal with the backlog of cases and to restore compliance with the statutory objective of determining appeals and referrals within a period of 18 weeks.   <b>[9941/09]</b></p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.638.0&amp;m=687#g639.0">
	<title>Community Development. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.638.0&amp;m=687#g639.0</link>
	<description>Question 40: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs  his plans to re-open the CL&Atilde;R single to three-phase electricity conversion scheme; the outcome of the review of the...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="639.0"><i>Question 40:</i> To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs  his plans to re-open the CLĂR single to three-phase electricity conversion scheme; the outcome of the review of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  <b>[8870/09]</b></p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-04T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.13.0&amp;m=687#g84.0">
	<title>Order of Business | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.13.0&amp;m=687#g84.0</link>
	<description>That is not an answer to the question.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="84.1">That is not an answer to the question.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-26T11:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.13.0&amp;m=687#g61.0">
	<title>Order of Business | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.13.0&amp;m=687#g61.0</link>
	<description>It might be more timely now.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="61.1">It might be more timely now.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-26T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.550.0&amp;m=687#g617.0">
	<title>Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009:  Committee Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.550.0&amp;m=687#g617.0</link>
	<description>That is a good start.  I thank the Minister.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="617.1">That is a good start.  I thank the Minister.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-25T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.550.0&amp;m=687#g614.0">
	<title>Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009:  Committee Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.550.0&amp;m=687#g614.0</link>
	<description>I support the amendment.  It is a disgrace that we are focussing on poor sections of our community.  The medical card has been always considered to be the standard by which we judge a person&acirc;s...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="614.1">I support the amendment.  It is a disgrace that we are focussing on poor sections of our community.  The medical card has been always considered to be the standard by which we judge a personâs needs.  A person employed in the public service who qualifies for a medical card on income and, perhaps, medical grounds is being forced to pay this levy.  </p><p pid="614.2">Another group which the Minister and his officials might consider is retained firemen, voluntary part-time firemen who work for local fire brigades.  The Minister might not understand their situation as Dublin is privileged to have full time fire officers.  In country towns, fire brigades are manned by volunteers who receive an annual retainer in respect of their work.  These people, of which there are 3,000 in the country, are known as retained firemen.  Many of them are happy to remain involved in a semi-voluntary capacity and to receive their annual retainer.  However, when they retire, they receive no pension.  These people are not demanding a pension but are asking to be exempted from putting money into a pension fund.  They receive only one lump sum when they retire.  The case they make is a fair one.  It is wrong that people operating in a semi-voluntary capacity, who are paid a retainer fee plus over-time payments if out all night fire-fighting and so on, should have to pay this levy.  I would appreciate if the Minister would request his officials to examine this situation.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-25T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>


</rdf:RDF>