Results 3,721-3,740 of 10,573 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (18 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on the issue of flooding. Only two weeks ago, I was pleased to have had the opportunity to hear from Dáil colleagues on flooding matters on the Shannon and across the country and I outlined the Government’s ongoing work in tackling the issues. I am very familiar with the devastation that can be caused by flooding for individual...

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (18 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I will start at the end. I thank Senator Cummins for acknowledging the work of the OPW staff. I have heard a lot of criticism of things that are not done. It is very important to point out the things that are done. It is particularly important to point out that during flooding, on nights when nobody wants to go out, local authority and OPW staff can be found working with the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (18 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I can confirm that all requests for the use of Steward's Lodge by the Department of An Taoiseach, for either meetings or for overnight stays, are recorded by OPW management at Farmleigh. There are no exceptions or exemptions from this recording requirement. OPW does not keep a record of individual attendees at meetings or other visitors to the Lodge. In regard...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I was in Clifden and it was horrific to see the damage. The television pictures often reflect what flooding means to a community, but this was just unbelievable. There were front yards ripped asunder, boulders half as big as where I am sitting were just hurtled onto people's front lawns and houses were devastated. There are houses on the Galway road - the Deputy would be more familiar with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I do not wish to bore the Ceann Comhairle. I have already spoken on this matter several times tonight. When one looks at the Question Paper, one can see how relevant an issue this is for the House, given the number of Deputies from all over the country who have raised it. The problem is getting worse. Previously, it was confined to places such as Clonmel, towns on the Suir and low-lying...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 102 and 115 together. I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue for the people of Clifden and those living along the Owenglin River. I can confirm that a potential flood relief scheme was recommended for Clifden as part of the national flood risk management plan published in 2018, from which 119 new projects nationwide are to be progressed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Monuments (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I, again, thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I have been invited to Cherrywood. When the level 5 restrictions are lifted and we are allowed to take the opportunity to visit constituencies, particularly for non-essential work, it is my intention to visit the site. I am sure at that stage I will have a better understanding, along with my officials in the OPW, as to what is at stake in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Monuments (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: We will, of course, engage with the Deputy in advance of any visit to the site.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue relating to the Crossmolina flood relief scheme as I know it is an issue that he has raised previously. I wish to advise that the OPW has submitted the scheme, along with the required environmental assessments, to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for confirmation. The scheme to be constructed includes a new grass-lined diversion...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy. To be fair, I have not added any new complications that were not previously advised. It would not be a fair reflection on the response that has been given either. I share his frustration. We are equally frustrated by the lengthy time that these things take but they have always taken time to address. It is terrible whether it is in Cloonlara or Springfield in County...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: It goes without saying that the OPW knows the people of Crossmolina very well. They have dealt with them over a lengthy period in terms of the development of this scheme and would know at official level, through the local design team that has been in place, what has been endured by the people of Crossmolina and every other town that has flooded. I am being honest in the House tonight....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Monuments (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The OPW's engagement with the Cherrywood SDZ since the start of 2018 has been primarily focused on the measures to be taken in respect of protecting the Tully church national monument site and its associated crosses.  This engagement has been carried out in close partnership with the former Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, now the Department of Housing, Local Government...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 109 together. There is much work going on in Cork in this regard. I spent most of my summer, unfortunately, with flood victims there. The OPW has undertaken a study of 80% of Ireland’s major sources of flooding across 300 communities in the most comprehensive study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State. The findings from the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: On the specifics of the schemes the Deputy identified, some of them are minor works which could be done by Cork County Council. I will get him more specific times on them. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan raised this issue in the previous Dáil. There was a long debate in the House last week on flooding with another in the Seanad tomorrow. I would like to be able to tell Deputy Aindrias...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The three projects in question are in discussions between the OPW and Cork County Council. I will revert to the Deputy on each of them individually. I know the Crookstown one well. I have a brother and sister living in Bandon. Indeed my brother has been flooded on several occasions in Bandon, so I know the value of the flood relief scheme there. I also know the village of Crookstown...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Offices (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is important to point out that the landlord has done nothing wrong here.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Offices (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: This was a mistake that was made on the State's side. The State has acknowledged that but it also acknowledges that this is a long-term lease and we are hopeful that, by negotiation, the liability to the State will be minimised. We have also acknowledged that it is a 25-year lease and there is no duty upon the landlord to come back to us at the moment. It is not a matter of negotiation....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Offices (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am sorry but Deputy Shortall said my response was shocking. My response was factual.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Offices (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: Miesian Plaza provides modern, efficient, headquarter office accommodation for the Departments of Health and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, as well as ancillary accommodation for the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. At approximately 14,000 sq. m, Miesian Plaza is one of Dublin’s most significant Government accommodation locations and...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Offices (17 Nov 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is important to point out that we are dealing with a 25-year lease. From the very start, the OPW has said that a mistake was made. The OPW has never, to any degree, stated that it has not acknowledged that a mistake was made. It is important to put on the record of the House that the total amount in question of the difference, when calculated over a 25-year period, is €8.6...