Results 7,441-7,460 of 25,844 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: They probably will not, particularly as it is a broader view on it.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Senator. I will go through them briefly. The Bill is useful, as I have mentioned. What I am about to say is not a criticism of the Bill itself, but it will show the types of things we need to address. There appears to be no clear definition in the Bill of what is meant by "institutions of Higher Education in the State", which is the term used in Article 18.4.2° of the...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: There were electronic ballots in Fingal once.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (5 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I was.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (5 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The online public consultation, that was carried out as part of the review of the birds Open Seasons Order, was available to any member of the public or any organisation with an interest in the subject matter. The consultation was advertised widely and had a large response rate. A separate in-person stakeholder forum was held. Representatives from a wide range of cross cutting...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (5 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I have no plans to alter the Residential Tenancies Act in this regard at this time but I do keep the operation of the Acts under constant review and I will make timely amendments, as may be required. I draw your attention to the thorough review of the private rental sector which is currently underway in my Department. This will ascertain what an improved fully functioning private rental...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (5 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. Under this legislative framework, responsibility for dealing with invasive alien species rests with the landowner. Much of the work in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was established in 1946 as the global body responsible for management of whaling and conservation of whales. It is an inter-governmental organisation with a current membership of 88 governments from all over the world. Ireland joined the IWC in 1985. Ireland maintains a pro-conservation position with respect to cetaceans and all cetaceans are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Office of Public Works (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Scattery Island is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (Lower River Shannon SAC 2165), and part of the island is classified as a Special Protection Area (River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA 4077). Scattery Island is an important site for both breeding (nesting) birds and wintering birds. During the spring and summer season, the following birds have been observed breeding on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Expanded polystyrene foams (EPS) are widely used as packing,material for household appliances and in construction. Polystyrene is very inert and this characteristic causes polystyrene to last a long time in the natural environment, which poses a litter hazard as the material is typically thrown away after an extremely short useful lifespan. Plastic pollution, and its effects on wildlife, has...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Regional National Parks and Wildlife Service staff in Carlow were made aware of the fuel leak in recent weeks and have liaised with Inland Fisheries Ireland staff and the Local Authority, who have led on the incident. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, is the agency responsible for the protection, management and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Correspondence (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Government is focused on the actions already set out in Housing for All to support prospective homeowners and first-time buyers, including those wishing to build their own homes. The Help-to-Buy scheme is an incentive for first-time buyers to help with their deposit for purchasing or self-building a new home. The scheme has already helped some 39,000 first-time buyers. The Local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Pollution (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Ireland’s Fifth Nitrates Action Programme, published in March 2022, commits to increasing Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine inspections of farms and to developing an enhanced local authority inspection and enforcement programme. In order to achieve this the National Agricultural Inspection Programme has been established and funded by my Department. This inspection and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Public Sector Staff (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Urban Development (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Mink are not protected under the Wildlife Acts, hence landowners and their agents do not need permission or licences from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to control their numbers. It should be noted that the methods used must be humane and do not endanger any protected species. However, where there are suspected breaches of the Wildlife Acts, this is investigated by NPWS...