Results 24,241-24,260 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I indicated early on today that I am supportive of this amendment. The only issue is whether we have the wording right in terms of legal drafting and so on. In fact, what is being sought in this amendment is less than what I was talking about doing earlier. Essentially, it is stating that there will be a formal council meeting. I presume it will be up to the council to decide the form of...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Is Senator Craughwell looking for a press release out of this?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am not interested in who gets the credit for what here. This is an issue about responding to a genuine concern that has been outlined by many Members, particularly Senator Landy, who is not here now, to ensure that respect is given to local councillors in terms of ensuring that they know what is going on. He has just come into the Chamber. One of the issues raised the last time we...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I reserve the right to amend the amendment on Report Stage if we need to improve the language.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Amendment No. 16 relates to subsection 12 that provides that the board shall include in its annual report two things. First, a statement of the number of strategic housing development applications that it has determined within the 16-week period specified in section 9 or such other period as has been prescribed under subsection (10). Second, such other information as to the time taken to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: It will not be taken out of their wages.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The amendment contains a mechanism for two reasons. First, to show that I am confident An Bord Pleanála will deliver. Second, I wish to make it known publically that we are serious about delivering the targets that we have set in the legislation. Otherwise we have deadlines with no consequence if they are not met and that is not credible. Amendment No. 17 relates to subsection (13)...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: It is my understanding that there is no recourse. The board will go on to make its decision after the 16-week period, as outlined in this section, but there is a consequence in terms of the fine. The Bill also provides for a public consultation period if justified that will push the decision well past the 16-week period. In the normal course of events, considering these applications, I am...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Section 12 of the Bill enables the Minister to make regulations providing for procedural and administrative matters relating to the content of sections 4 to 10, inclusive. This amendment relates to subsection (1) which specifies some of the matters to which regulations under this section may relate. The amendment provides for the insertion of a new paragraph (a) in subsection (1) specifying...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Section 20 amends the Planning and Development Act 2000 by inserting three new sections 176A, 176B and 176C into that Act relating to environmental impact assessment screening. For the purpose of further implementing EU Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, this section allows for a determination in advance of making...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: That is true.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Sinn Féin Members do not seem to want to vote on it.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I will happily answer. If that is happening, it should not be, and I would like the Deputy to give me the details. We are working with local authorities across the country to improve services for people who are in a vulnerable place, that is, without a home. If someone, such as the person referred to by the Deputy, is not being dealt with and provided with information quickly, then given...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I can understand the frustration. There are many communities in various parts of the country that are waiting for clarity in terms of guidelines in this area. I met the Minister, Deputy Naughten, this week on the matter. There is a process that needs to be gone through. There is a commitment that we will provide clarity on the issue before the end of November. Since then, there has been...

Business of Dáil (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: There was no-----

Establishment of Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Motion (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I move:That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders— (a) a Special Committee (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Committee’) is hereby appointed, to be joined with a Special Committee to be appointed by Seanad Éireann, to form the Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services. The Joint Committee shall consider the report of the Expert...

Establishment of Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Motion (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I will do my best to take 14.

Establishment of Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Motion (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I do not think the setting up of the committee should come as a surprise to anybody. I have spoken to many Members in this House informally in the build-up to this to try to get a consensus on what parties could live with. I know that there are deep divisions in the House on how we should fund domestic water services and so on. I accept that this is a very political and difficult issue...

Establishment of Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Motion (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Let me finish the point.

Establishment of Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Motion (24 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am the Minister proposing the motion-----