Results 1,701-1,720 of 2,180 for speaker:John Cummins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I agree with Mr. O’Hara that it is part of the solution. That is the point. However, if we do not have targets across our local authorities, we cannot meet them. It is an issue that there are no targets specifically for one of the main pillars and schemes of the Government.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I will be fair to the rest of the committee members. I have spoken twice so I concede my time to Deputy Higgins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: It is helpful to cite the Department guidance on the building regulations. It demystifies much of the misinformation which indicates that you cannot do anything with a derelict or vacant property, when you can. I have seen perfect examples of it in my own county, Waterford. I would like this meeting to lead to workshops being held across local authorities, where best practice can hopefully...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House and I fully support the horse and greyhound fund. Both industries are exceptionally important to my own county of Waterford. I grew up next to Kilcohan Park greyhound track. It provides many jobs to those involved in the industry and it indirectly employs at race meets every single week young people who go to school and live in the locality. The same...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid Pandemic Supports (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: It is not an understatement that the live theatre and events sector is in disarray since last Friday's announcement by Government to cut the capacity to 50%. I do not envy the Minister or her Cabinet colleagues who have faced unprecedented decisions over the past 18 months, but I have to question the logic that sees public transport being able to operate at 100%, while safe venues, such as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid Pandemic Supports (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I reiterate the money has to get to where it is needed most, which is the smaller local and semi-professional groups. The scheme mentioned by the Minister of State in his reply stipulates that a group must have a turnover of €300,000 in two of the past three years and must have a minimum production value of €150,000. That will not cater for the very people who need to be...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: This morning, I tabled a Commencement matter with Senator Malcolm Byrne in respect of the live entertainment and theatre sector, the 50% capacity constraint that has been placed on venues and the challenges it is causing for local groups and not-for-profit organisations that are in the middle of organising productions, concerts and pantomimes. I gave the examples of Waterford Panto Society,...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Acting Chairman. I join with Members in welcoming the Minister to the House and thank him for bringing forward a once-in-a-generation piece of legislation. It is a very comprehensive and complex Bill that runs to 259 pages. It is only right and proper that we acknowledge all of the officials in the Minister’s Department who have worked exceptionally hard on it, not only...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Yes.

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I propose that Senator Carrigy and I both speak for two and a half minutes. I join with colleagues in welcoming the Tánaiste to the House. Exceptional times call for exceptional measures. There is no question that this Government and its predecessor, which the Tánaiste led, have put unprecedented supports in place since the onset of this pandemic. Schemes like the temporary wage...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Joint Committee
Update from Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I have just sat down. I thank the Minister of State and I apologise that I was not present for all the committee meeting as I had a commitment in the Seanad. I would like to comment on a couple of areas of the Minister of State’s brief. The built heritage grant schemes that are in place, such as thatching grants schemes, are very valuable. I do not need to tell the Minister of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I wish to follow on from the theme of the contribution of my colleague, Senator McGahon, namely, Covid. I raised with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, in the Seanad last night the issue of the cohort of 230,000 people who received the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine, of which I am one and I know Senator McGahon is one. It is generally our age cohort that received that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Draft Planning and Development (LRD Fees) Regulations 2021: Motion (2 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Not to labour the point, the best-case scenario here is that we introduce a system in good faith to try to reduce the number of judicial reviews taken and to enable public participation in the planning process at the first stage. The worst-case scenario, however, is that we block up the entire planning process in local authorities. The only solution involves resourcing planning departments,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Draft Planning and Development (LRD Fees) Regulations 2021: Motion (2 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State and officials. These regulations are welcome in order to bring clarity to the sector. It is very important that they have clear sight of these in short order. The concerns I expressed on Second, Committee and Report Stages do not necessarily relate to the fees structure but relate more so to the resourcing of local authorities to be able to fulfil their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Draft Planning and Development (LRD Fees) Regulations 2021: Motion (2 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Law and order and justice are values which my party hold very dear. They are values I share. I am proud that since 2011 we have had a 54% increase in Garda numbers in my own county of Waterford, with a similar, if not greater, increase in civilian staff numbers. We have also seen huge increases in terms of the Garda fleet and the development of specific units within An Garda...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Health): Statements (1 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: That is fine. I thank the Cathaoirleach. I am in the cohort who received the single-dose Janssen vaccine, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.I welcome the Minister. He spoke about Ireland being the country in Europe with the fifth lowest mortality rate in respect of Covid. That is phenomenal and it is due to our high vaccination rate. He noted 42 additional ICU beds have opened this...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Health): Statements (1 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Are we getting supplementary questions?

Seanad: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Statements (30 Nov 2021)

John Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House. Obviously the national development plan is exceptionally important for my own city of Waterford. The ambition in Project Ireland 2040 to drive population growth within the south-east region and to have balanced regional development and interconnectivity between the regions is of critically importance. I heard Senator Malcolm Byrne speak about Rosslare...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Nov 2021)

John Cummins: I am from a coastal county - Waterford - so all elements of this are very important to me and the people I represent. Mr. Cronin said all of the information is readily available to allow decisions to be made. Will it take 13 months to compile all of that information? What is the best-case timeline regarding the completion of this body of work? Mr. Cronin referenced actions and mitigation...