Results 19,701-19,720 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (18 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 248 together. My Department issued guidance on Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) under cover of Circular LG 07/2014 of 29 May 2014 which states that the "spread of SPC chairs must, in accordance with the guidelines, reflect the political representational spread on the full council". Paragraph 6.2 of the these guidelines that accompany the circular...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters (18 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the company the necessary powers to allow it to undertake the metering programme. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that the water meters in use by Irish Water comply with the Measur ing Instruments Directive. In common...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Noise Pollution (18 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 1992 provides local authorities with powers to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise. The Environment Section of the relevant City or County Council is the appropriate contact point for reporting a noise nuisance in this regard. However, these powers are aimed at mitigating noise of human origin emanating from any...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (18 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: Under my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, funding is provided to housing authorities in respect of a range of measures which include the construction and acquisition of houses and apartments by local authorities and a pproved housing bodies, the regeneration of large social housing estates and flat complexes, estate-wide remedial works, energy efficiency and retrofitting...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (18 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: Development of the kind referred to in the Question would require planning permission under section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The consideration of such an application would involve consideration of the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive 2011/92/EU , and the Habitats Directive 1992/48/EEC, as transposed in the Planning Act. A...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Priory Hall Development (18 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: In August 2014, my Department conveyed approval to Dublin City Council to proceed with the refurbishment works on the first two phases of the overall Priory Hall remediation project and to advance the planning of subsequent phases of this project.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Disposal (18 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The primary responsibility for the management of any waste, including costs for removal or disposal, lies with the holder of the waste, i.e. the natural or legal person in possession of the waste, or the producer of the waste. The Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended) imposes a general duty of care on holders of waste, under which a person may not hold, transport, recover or dispose of waste...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Records (18 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together. My Department does not employ a qualified archivist to examine records for referral to the National Archives. However, my Department is in the process of providing appropriate training to staff who will undertake archival functions. In addition, my Department has an agreement with a commercial company for the storage of Departmental...

Water Services (Exempt Charges) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank my colleagues for what I presume are their sincere good wishes. There is a very youthful look on the team on this side of the House. I thank Deputy Cowen for giving me the opportunity to address the issues associated with the Bill. Many issues were also raised by the four speakers. They might check the Official Report for today as some of those issues were addressed during...

Water Services (Exempt Charges) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I missed Deputy Cowen earlier.

Water Services (Exempt Charges) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy.

Other Questions: Departmental Funding (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I made the decision which I felt was necessary, having spoken to the organisations, which the Deputy knows well, having spoken about them many times himself. I felt it was necessary to ensure the funding continued and, hence, I made that decision. There was obviously a situation where many of these organisations became quite dependent on the funding that was in place. We need to ensure we...

Other Questions: Departmental Funding (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: As someone who worked with these organisations and knows them quite well, I believe the Deputy's language is unacceptable. There is no targeting of these organisations. What we are trying to do is facilitate organisations, including trying to facilitate more organisations in other ways. We are also trying to ensure there is a consistency of approach, that there are clear communications...

Other Questions: Retail Sector (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: In my previous occupation before entering politics I was an e-business manager. There are a number of grants available for retailers in that space. It is an area that has been quite successful, but it probably could be developed even further. With regard to the Deputy's commentary on the need for local authorities to ramp up their activities rather than seeing businesses as a cash cow, I...

Other Questions: Departmental Funding (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his good wishes. I know they are sincerely felt. The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014 , were subject to an appraisal...

Other Questions: Retail Sector (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his good wishes and his question on town centres throughout the State. The downturn in economic activity associated with the recession has resulted in a significant number of shop closures and vacant units in town and city centres across the country. We all see this in every county. My county, Tipperary, and that of Minister of State Deputy Coffey, Waterford, are not...

Other Questions: Retail Sector (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: In answering the question, I must dismiss the Deputy’s point on economic recovery, but that is for another day. The impact is being seen in more areas around the country. The issue raised is a real one, however, and of course I accept that. The Deputy raised the issue of rates and suggested how a change to the rates system could help. We are examining various options in regard to...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: As I said, all of this must be discussed by the Government prior to publication. By and large, I do not disagree with much of what the Deputy had to say. In terms of the process and the outcome of the Government's decision, a lot has yet to happen. The Deputy is correct that a balanced approach is needed. We must ensure those building the units and houses are interested and will deliver....

Other Questions: Planning Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: To be fair, there is little in the Deputy's contribution with which I would take issue. All of the issues he raises will be dealt with. I favour mixed developments. We need mixed developments to prevent ghettoisation, as described by the Deputy. We must ensure future developments are sustainable and mixed. To add to what the Deputy said, we must also ensure construction of units we...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Part V review, carried out by the housing agency at my Department’s request, has been completed and will be submitted to Government in the coming weeks - obviously, it has to go through there first. It is anticipated that any legislative changes required on foot of the review, subject to Government approval, will be incorporated into the general scheme of a new planning Bill, to...