Results 181-200 of 2,180 for speaker:John Cummins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: I will always exercise caution and I would appreciate if the Cathaoirleach would add on the time that he has just taken there.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: There is a reason this voter system was located in London and not in Dublin and why it was transferred to Frankfurt and not to Ireland.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: This is relevant to an item on the Order of Business.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Cathaoirleach and I would appreciate if he might add on the time from the interruption. Is it because Sinn Fein wants to keep this voter system at arms length from the Data Protection Commissioner, DPC, or because the secret database is a well-financed Sinn Féin asset and was not declared by the party in its Standards In Public Office Commission, SIPO, returns? This seems...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: In saying what I am saying, it is important to put context on it. What we envisage is a mix of housing based on what is needed in any given area. In most cases, the State will be required to develop 100% social and affordable housing, particularly in the Dublin area, which the Minister is on record as having said. However, there may be areas in the country that have only had social housing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: I take exception to this line of comment. I thought we were supposed to be working together as a committee to get this affordable housing Bill in place for people and if we play party politics with it, we will not go very far today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: If proposal No. 5 is acceptable to everyone, I will withdraw proposal No. 4.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: Following on from Deputy Duffy's points, a return of 3% or 4% through ethical funds or special vehicles that will deliver cost rental in addition to the LDA is profit. That is profit. Deputy Ó Broin's proposal is an attempt at grandstanding by presenting for-profit housing by private developers as something that is not in existence in this country. We are looking to attract special...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: This is the Bill.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: Further to what Deputy Duffy said, cost rental is a mathematical calculation. As a committee, what we have done is to set the parameters and the formula for that mathematical calculation. We have said that it is going to include full cost recovery, including the full cost of providing and maintaining the unit over the term. We have also stated that we are going to limit the model to a 3%...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Affordable Housing Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: A terrible statement.

Seanad: Business and Covid-19: Statements (30 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: I echo the comments of my colleague from Wexford on the technological university of the south east. I also welcome the Tánaiste's engagement with us on this very important topic of business and post-Covid recovery. Yesterday was undoubtedly a very exciting day. The sense of optimism that circulated the entire country awaiting the news on the reopening plan was palpable.It has probably...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2021)

John Cummins: Continuing the third level theme, in less than half and hour I am going to be joining Oireachtas Members from the south east in meeting the Minister, Deputy Harris, about the application from Waterford Institute of Technology, WIT, and the Institute of Technology Carlow to become a technological university for the south east. I expect positive news that the application is being submitted....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Engagement with the Office of the Planning Regulator (4 May 2021)

John Cummins: I confirm I am in Leinster House. I will start by thanking Mr. Cussen and his team for the work they are doing. I echo the comments made by my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, about the planning leaflets. They have gone down well with anyone who has used them and with whom I have engaged. I compliment our guests in that respect. The development plan process is ongoing across the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Engagement with the Office of the Planning Regulator (4 May 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Chair. Do I have 30 seconds?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Engagement with the Office of the Planning Regulator (4 May 2021)

John Cummins: That is perfect. Following on from what Mr. Cussen said earlier in response to Senator Malcolm Byrne, it is important that we have a balance in rural development policy. Reference was also made to alignment between the plans of Irish Water and the local authorities. Much of the emphasis and work of our local councils and that of the OPR will be in that area. It seems illogical to me then...

Seanad: Education (Leaving Certificate Examinations) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 May 2021)

John Cummins: I, too, welcome the Minister to the House. As a fellow teacher until I was elected to the House last year, I compliment her and her colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, on the work they have done in the past 11 months in the Department in what have been the most challenging of times. The decision made on 17 February was most welcome and timely. It gave certainty to students,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 May 2021)

John Cummins: I wish to raise a very serious matter that has far-reaching consequences for farm families right across Waterford, the south east and further afield, namely, the decision of An Taisce to further appeal a decision of the High Court in respect of a decision of Kilkenny County Council and An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a €140 million continental cheese plant at the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Policy (11 May 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, for taking this Commencement matter. I congratulate him on his role. I have not to date had the opportunity to do so in the House, which says much about our curtailed schedule. I will not take my full time. This straightforward issue has been brought to my attention and warrants a second look by the Department. I am referring to the new...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Policy (11 May 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State. While I appreciate his response, I still feel there is a fundamental flaw in the system. Income that is received for maintenance payments is factored into the consideration of assessable income for the individual that receives it yet, on the other hand, it is not taken into account in policy terms for the person who pays it out. While I appreciate what the...