Results 4,181-4,200 of 8,073 for speaker:Peter Burke

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: With a view to supplementing the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Scheme which was announced earlier this year by my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and further to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, a package of amending planning regulations were made on 30 April 2021 to assist in facilitating outdoor dining as well as increased vibrancy and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rural Schemes (15 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: Under the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Sites (15 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. As such, it is a matter for each local authority to control its own land assets. The Land Development Agency (LDA) is currently developing a register of all relevant public lands, which is lands owned by public bodies in population areas...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (15 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: 797. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the qualifying conditions for the school transport scheme will be reviewed to reduce the current radius of 4.8 kilometres as the qualification distance for the scheme; when the scheme was last reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31605/21]

Seanad: Right to Housing: Motion (4 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank all Members for contributing to this valuable debate. I understand an amendment to the motion has been submitted, which demonstrates the depth of views on this matter. We support the motion and I thank Senator Mary Fitzpatrick and her colleagues for moving it. It is important that we do not rush to judgment in making a commitment to the electorate. We must ensure we give all...

An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Ceart chun Tithíochta) 2020: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank all of the speakers who contributed to this debate. In my opening remarks I set out clearly the direction of travel for the Government and outlined how seriously we are taking this. An interim chairperson has been appointed. I have made it clear what we are doing in that regard. The Constitution affects us all and we must balance any proposal with other rights in our Constitution...

An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Ceart chun Tithíochta) 2020: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputies for raising these issues and bringing forward the Bill. I can confirm that the Government has agreed not to oppose the Bill. As the Deputies are aware, the programme for Government sets out a commitment to hold a referendum on housing. We have supported this debate and are keen to hear opinions, as we have been, on this important issue. I thank those Deputies who have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: As I said, to deliver houses people cannot be objecting to building them so the Deputy may have a look at his policy in this regard.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I hear the Deputy quoting selectively about a decade ago as to why these houses were not built in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: What he fails to note is we were under an IMF programme. The State was spending 50% more than it was taking in income. We were locked out of the markets. Any borrowing was as high as 14%. Two local authorities in Dublin and the local authority in Westmeath were piloting the mortgage-to-rent scheme because we were saturated with debt in our local authorities. The Deputy ignores all of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I will not accept that from a party which objects-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: -----day after day and week after week. We have a record budget. We are in the business of building houses for all of our citizens. We will do this and we will deliver on it.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Gould for tabling this Topical Issue matter. It is a very serious issue. I remind the Deputy that the best way to build houses is, if he could advise his colleagues, to stop objecting to houses. The Deputy quotes the ESRI, but it is very interesting that he does not quote the ESRI on the property tax, which is a progressive tax the Deputy is also against, and he is against...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Library Grant (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter of library funding, which is very important. He set out a very strong case for the reinstatement of this funding stream. The Department of Education has responsibility for primary and post-primary education and is charged with facilitating individuals through learning, to achieve their full potential and to contribute to Ireland's social, cultural...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Library Grant (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: As I have said, Deputy O'Sullivan makes a very strong case. The budget for the Department of Education is approximately €8.9 billion this year, which is an increase of 5%. With such a strong budget, one hopes something could be worked out. We will try to press the case for the Deputy. Teaching children and giving them this skill as opposed to them watching television, etc. can...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter and indeed for all the work he has done as he outlined on cyclists being passed in close proximity and the offence that was put into legislation. Like Deputy Cannon, I have a keen interest in cycling but I would not pretend to be in the same league as him. The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I absolutely assure Deputy Cannon that we do care. Indeed the commitment in the programme for Government to walking and cycling infrastructure is very significant. I will raise the issues he put forward, especially the other jurisdictions he referenced, with the Minister and obviously with the Minister for Justice also. It is very important to educate people about this as well. I am a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Maritime Jurisdiction (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: First, I want to say to the people involved and their families that they have protection under the law. That is very clear. All Deputies will appreciate that when an investigation is ongoing into an incident, I, as Minister of State, cannot comment on it or offer any view on what the determination of that investigation might be. I must be independent and I am precluded from getting...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Maritime Jurisdiction (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: In the first instance, I know this must be very distressing for the four families involved. I acknowledge that in terms of the incident described by the Deputies. Obviously, I know this probably straddles a few Departments in terms of defence and foreign affairs. It is, however, down as being a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Irish Naval Service is...

Traveller Accommodation: Statements (3 Jun 2021)

Peter Burke: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important issue. Improving the provision of Traveller-specific accommodation is something which I, as Minister of State, and my Department are taking very seriously. The State's response to the provision of Traveller accommodation must be improved. Since being appointed to this role, I have been fully committed to taking all necessary actions to...