Results 21,701-21,720 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 52 of 11 April 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand the Question refers to a 30 unit social housing proposal at Ennistymon, Co. Clare that received pre-planning funding approval from my Department in October 2022. This approval is still in place and has not been rejected. Further information on this proposal is available directly from Clare County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 963: In page 445, line 17, to delete “the relevant body” and substitute “the relevant body referred to in paragraph (a)”.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 964: In page 445, line 37, to delete “issued” and substitute “brought”.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: That is determined; I asked the officials just before that. The phrase is "directly or indirectly materially affected by the matter". For argument's sake, directly would be I could be living adjacent to the proposed development or the site that is directly in the area. Indirectly materially affected may mean someone has familial ties to the area. There may be an environmental issue where...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, absolutely

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It is, and I am glad the Deputy asked that. There is no fear of restriction in that place. It would be at the discretion of the court. An individual, for argument's sake, as the Deputy said, on environmental grounds could be concerned about pollution of watercourses or potential pollution of watercourses. Somebody could absolutely make that case.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: They would be able to make that case. They would be able to put the argument forward that they are directly or indirectly materially affected and that would be adjudicated on by the court. Certainly, there is nothing to stop then making that case.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It would be the function of the court to decide upon that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I have given a couple of examples in reply to Deputy Ó Broin. It could be familial ties. I am just giving examples but again this would be for the court to decide upon. A person would make the case. It could be that they regularly holiday in that place. Even though someone is not living in that particular area or adjacent to it, there is nothing to stop them bringing forward that...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: No, absolutely not,

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: An individual will need to have been part of the process. Obviously, there are the prescribed groups. The individual would have had to make their observation at an earlier stage as is normal. It is not "materially" in the sense of financial loss or anything like that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: No. It is that it in some way actually affects the person. It is in that sense materially.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I would caution against giving an example on the basis that that would be something that the court itself would decide upon based on a submission made to the court.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Again, that would be for the court. I am not setting any restriction on that. It would be open to the court to make that decision. I am not being evasive; it would not necessarily be right for me to say. Obviously, we all have trust in the Judiciary, the independence of the process and indeed the judges themselves. It is open to anyone to bring forward and to make that case. That is why...