Results 781-800 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan
- Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Register (8 Oct 2019)
John Paul Phelan: Arising from a commitment in the May 2016 Programme for a Partnership Governmentto examine the voter registration process, a set of policy proposals was developed, based on the 2016 Report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Proposed Electoral Commission. The proposals include the provision of online registration as an optional alternative to paper-based registration, as well as: the...
- Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Election Management System (3 Oct 2019)
John Paul Phelan: Arising from a commitment in the May 2016 Programme for a Partnership Government to examine the voter registration process, a set of policy proposals was developed based on the 2016 Report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Proposed Electoral Commission. The proposals include, among other things, the introduction of a simplified registration process; a move to a rolling register;...
- Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Commission Establishment (3 Oct 2019)
John Paul Phelan: The establishment of an Electoral Commission is a key commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government. My Department prepared a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) in respect of the establishment of an Electoral Commission, which was published on 27 December 2018, and followed by a public consultation process. The RIA set out four options, having regard...
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to explain the role of the Office of the Planning Regulator. As he is aware, the final report of the Mahon tribunal recommended the establishment of an independent planning regulator and legislation for such a regulator was in train for a number of years. The Office of the Planning Regulator, OPR, was established in...
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: I cannot comment on individual planning applications but I fully understand the points he is making. We are into new territory now as the Office of the Planning Regulator has just been established, having been spoken about for years. One of the key points at the centre of its establishment was its independence from the Department and politics. It is the result of the planning tribunal report.
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: I was going to get to that point. I will speak to the Minister and, as the Deputy noted in his opening comments, there is a balance to be struck. We want the office to be completely independent but it does allow for research. I looked at a map of the area in question and it is large. The Deputy has represented it for years and it has the potential to change utterly the landscape out...
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: As a former Member of this House, I am delighted to see the Seanad back in its rightful place and to address it here for the first time. I thank Senators for the opportunity to discuss the report of the implementation group on Seanad reform. I recognise and acknowledge the work done by the 23 members of the group in preparing the report and the accompanying Bill. I thank Senator McDowell...
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: In order to progress that commitment, an independent working group on Seanad reform, chaired by Dr. Maurice Manning, was established in December 2014. The principle focus of that group was on possible reforms of the Seanad electoral system and the manner in which the House carries out its business within the existing constitutional parameters. The group published its report, known as the...
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: Oh God.
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: Oh God.
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: It is.
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: It was 5.3 million people.
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: He has not.
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: That is nonsense. This is the most ridiculous contribution I have heard on this matter for the past ten years.
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: This is mad stuff.
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: This is utter nonsense. Where is this challenge?
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: Will the Senator point out where this is referenced?
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: He did not say that.
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: The Senator should read the speech.
- Seanad: Seanad Reform Implementation Group: Statements (24 Sep 2019)
John Paul Phelan: He did not say that.