Results 1,421-1,440 of 26,018 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome the contribution from Senator Boyhan. I also acknowledge the contribution to the debate by Senator Higgins in this regard. The amendments we are putting forward in this area will add constructively to the overall tenet of the Bill.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will speak to amendments Nos. 12 and 14 to 18, inclusive, from the Civil Engagement Group and Government amendment No. 19 as they relate to the mayoral advisory and implementation committee and have been grouped for discussion. Amendment Nos. 14 to 16, inclusive, relate to membership of the committee and seek to mandate representatives of An Taisce, the environmental pillar and the Irish...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is healthy. We will take the amendment very much in the spirit in which it was tabled. I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is proposed to amend section 31 (4) regarding the mayoral programme. The mayor must present a draft of their mayoral programme for consideration by elected members of the council meeting. As drafted, the members would have to receive a copy of the draft seven days before the meeting, but the amendment will extend that period to 14 days. The Civil Engagement Group proposed a similar...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator and the other Members for their support and co-operation. Obviously, it is healthy for legislation to be debated.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: As mentioned, following discussion on Committee Stage about the importance of including on the transport subgroup a person who has relevant climate expertise, I have proposed a number of amendments to section 34 that I believe fully address the matter. Amendment No. 26 proposes that where the mayor is appointing a person to the transport subgroup, they will consult the EPA to ensure someone...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senator Higgins for her contribution and co-operation. I also thank Senator Boyhan for delivering that key message.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I also-----

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: -----acknowledge the presence and contribution of Senator Craughwell, which is hugely important.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank both Senator Boyhan and Senator Craughwell. I assure Senator Boyhan that I am always looking to improve the Bill. I reflected on everything when we were having the debate. I was of the opinion that it was covered. I went back and looked at the Bill again. Putting in the amendment, which in substance is what he provided, further strengthens the Bill. It puts front and centre the...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I wish to speak to amendments Nos. 33 and 34. Government amendment No. 33 adds sections 117 and 118(4) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 to the Schedule 1, Part 2 functions of the director general. This Act has just recently come into being so the amendment was not possible at an earlier Stage. The functions under section 117 relate to appointing staff and the...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I wish to acknowledge the phenomenal work of the officials. There are two present but there is a larger team. They have done extraordinary work on this Bill. It is ground-breaking, historic and a new dawn for Limerick in terms of local politics. I acknowledge the major positive contribution from the elected members and the executive of Limerick City and County Council. Change is never...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The OPR was established by Government, which operates independently and sets up checks and balances. It is a proactive measure. The NPF is on a statutory footing, but it remains the view of Government that policy is set down by Government. Under the NPF, the review involves extensive public consultation, including with the Oireachtas. I know it has been debated at length as I kept an eye...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government takes a different view, as is its prerogative. The 2000 Act predates the establishment of the OPR. The development plans must align with the national planning framework. We all know that the OPR looks in depth at all the development plans. They come to me as Minister of State with responsibility for planning, so I have seen the significant work they do. The Government...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have answered the question. I said that the Government's view is that the Government sets policy.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government believes that the process that has been put forward in section 21 is more streamlined as to how we can work with the national planning framework. The Oireachtas comes in much earlier. Section 21(4) of the Bill before the committee states: In carrying out a review under section 20, the Government shall have regard to any observations made on foot of the consultations under...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Which section?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The rationale-----